Oct 26 2024 36 mins
In this week's episode, we welcome Lauren, a familiar face on Instagram, known for her honesty and motivation. She shares her journey from feeling uncomfortable in her body during summer to making a transformative decision to prioritise her health. Lauren talks about the challenges of navigating hot weather and the discomfort of being overweight, which often left her feeling self-conscious, especially around familiar faces at home. But when on holiday, far from people she knew, she would often feel a bit more liberated, even wearing a bikini, simply because she felt she had a bit more freedom to let go.
The pivotal moment for Lauren came in December, as she found herself shopping for holiday outfits, constantly discouraged by limited options. She describes the experience of clicking on a size 24 in an online shop, feeling as if it was a wake-up call. Despite being tempted to wait for the new year, Lauren chose to start her health journey in mid-December—a choice that would reshape her approach to health and fitness.
Lauren opens up about the mental blocks she faced on her journey. In her role as an assistant headteacher, the demanding schedule and high stress led her to rely on comfort foods. She describes how stress and exhaustion would lead her to binge on sugary snacks or pick up fast food as a quick fix, even admitting to reaching for a whole pack of donuts without much thought. The cycle of stress, overworking, and convenience eating had become a crutch, especially after long days that began as early as 7 a.m. and ended well after the school day.
During the interview, we dig into Lauren’s early days of making healthy changes. She reflects on the challenges of cutting out sugar and shifting to a new way of eating. Initially, she noticed immediate positive changes—feeling more energetic, less sluggish, and surprisingly, a significant reduction in her usual heartburn. After her first week, she felt a renewed sense of energy, a reminder of why she wanted to keep going with her new habits.
Lauren shares her meal habits, comparing what she used to eat with her current approach. Previously, her meals were filled with quick grabs like pastries and convenience snacks that she could easily eat while on the move. Now, her days start with an early breakfast she prepares herself, and instead of reaching for sugar-laden snacks, she finds herself satisfied with nutrient-dense meals. She’s also embraced meal prep, taking time each weekend to batch-cook a variety of dishes like chilies and curries. This way, her meals for the week are ready to go when she gets home, and she doesn’t have to resort to takeout.
For Lauren, the planning, structure, and convenience of batch-cooking have become essential, especially given her busy workdays. The time she dedicates on Sundays to prepare these meals has become a game-changer in maintaining her healthier lifestyle. Her approach serves as an inspiration for anyone who might feel constrained by time or energy but still wants to make positive changes.
Join us as Lauren shares her journey from feeling weighed down to building habits that bring her more joy, energy, and self-confidence. This episode is a testament to the power of small, consistent changes and how planning can help create a more balanced and fulfilling life.
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Hypnotherapy can help you to achieve great results alongside your healthy intentions. Whether you attend a Slimming World group, count calories or follow a WW plan with Weight Watchers there is so much more to weight loss than losing physical weight.