For Rachael, embarking on the New You Plan was more than just a New Year’s resolution; it was a pivotal moment in her life. Weighing 360lbs, she was motivated by a deep desire to change, driven by the loss of her father and a sobering family reunion that mirrored her own health risks.
Here, Rachael delves into her transformative experience with The New You Plan, sharing the insights gained, and the undeniable impact the plan has had on her health, happiness, and overall quality of life.
Here is her story…
New You: What led to you starting the plan?
Rachael: I have been a yo-yo dieter all of my life, from the age of about 10 years old. I have grown up with the knowledge of a lot of health issues that run in my family such as diabetes and heart issues and knew I needed to get my weight under control in order to prevent these diseases from grabbing a hold of me. My dad passed away 7 years ago very suddenly from undiagnosed heart disease (he also had Type 2 Diabetes). That was a bit of a jolt. Then in September 2023, I attended a family wedding in America (where I am from originally), which my mother was also attending. Seeing my mother really woke me up. She also has always struggled with weight during her adult life, but over lockdowns, she really let herself go and put on a LOT of weight and when I saw her, she could barely walk. That really scared me because I could see the pattern of dieting and gaining weight back happening with me, and I did NOT want that to happen! Mom is still quite young (67) and should be able to do way more! My joints were already hurting quite a lot, especially my knees and hips, preventing me from getting a full night sleep, walking long distances, and many other activities. I was afraid I was going to reach the point my mom was at, at an even younger age if I kept on like I was going.
Let’s just say that I started doing my research when I got home from my trip! I was determined this time that it was not going to just be another one of these fly-by-night diets that I then turn my back on and gain all the weight back. I needed something that I could stick to and that would fit in with my lifestyle.
Research time… With a busy work schedule, and travelling with my family as we don’t stay still often, it needed to be something that was easy and didn’t take up a lot of prep time. I also wanted something that had a programme for maintaining once you meet your goal. New You fit that profile! The website was so comprehensive with the amount of research and information that I was ALL IN!
New You: And tell us about that first week…
Rachael: Having done so many diets in my lifetime (I am currently 44 years old), I kind of knew what to expect in the way of withdraw symptoms (headaches mainly), so that was no surprise. I was actually REALLY excited and raring to go. I had ordered my starter box prior to Christmas, and while I didn’t start until New Years Day, I had already placed a second order prior to my start date because I just had this GOOD feeling about the plan!
As you can see from my starting photo though, I definitely was not happy with myself! I was tired of being sick and tired. I was tired of not being able to do things with my family like going for a simple walk, or not climbing the stairs to some manor house we might visit on the weekend. Sometimes we don’t really see what is in the mirror and that was definitely me!
I did struggle with headaches for a few days, but just kept the water and pain killers going and managed to get through that OK. I expected that! What I didn’t expect was the rush of energy and lack of hunger that came on days 4 and 5!! It was amazing! I was nearly jumping up and down with joy of how well I felt! It really motivated me to keep going as I knew from that point that this was going to work!!
New You: What are your go-to meals & snacks?
Rachael: I have been able to create an amazing routine where the New You products fit in perfectly. Every morning I start off with a Shake mixed with coffee and prep all of my 4 litres of water for the day with my New You Water Flavourings. I know that if I finish all of my prepped water, I have had the amount that I am supposed to! The Soups and Bars fit in perfectly with my work routine… Soup when I have more time and Bar when I am eating on-the-go because work is too busy… flexibility! The savoury meals mean that I can still sit down with the rest of my family and not feel like I am missing out on anything as I literally LOVE every single New You savoury Meal pack! The sweet Meal packs mean that I can feel like I am having pudding every day, something that I didn’t even have before New You. My family sometimes gets jealous (Especially of the Salted Caramel Cake!)! The New You Crisps have been what has kept me sane some days as I was such a “crunch” addict previously. Knowing I can still have that crunch satisfaction when I need it is fantastic!
How would you say the plan has changed your life?
Racahel: Within about 2 weeks of starting the plan, my joints stopped hurting so much. Maybe the pain was caused by a food intolerance that I don’t have on the plan, who knows, but I will take it! I am not stressed about shopping and meal prep that comes with your traditional diets. I have quite a physical job, managing a second-hand furniture shop, where I have to pitch in with moving heavy furniture and walking sometimes all day around a large warehouse. Losing the weight finally means that this is not as much of a chore! When I am in a hurry, I can actually now find myself running down the corridor!
Mentally, I have always struggled on and off with depression, though I have always been very self-aware. Since starting the plan, I find myself happy pretty much all of the time. My attitude towards myself and everything around me is just so much better! Because of yo-yo dieting in the past, I already had a supply of smaller clothing items in my wardrobe, which I now have been able to fit back into. But, I’m also finding joy in buying those “cute” outfits and feeling more confident with myself and wanting to dress up and take care of myself more!
New You: What has being on plan taught you so far?
Rachael: Being on plan has taught me that food is there to sustain you. My favourite saying is that I now “Eat to live, not live to eat”. While I think the food on The New You Plan is AMAZING, I know now that enjoyment of food is not about the over indulgence by eating until I just can’t eat another bite. I now eat to keep me going throughout the day until I am satisfied, enjoy it while it lasts and then move on with the rest of my day! Even during my holiday, I was able to control my portions because I knew it was enough to sustain me.
New You: Any memorable non-scale victories you’d like to share?
Rachael: It is silly, but so far, my favourite non-scale victory has been to fit into my work coat! I was instrumental in picking out the coats and was excited to order one for myself. When they arrived, I couldn’t even get the largest sized coat zip to meet, let alone zip up. The day that I put it on and realised I could zip it was amazing! I am now to the point with it that it is nearly too big!
New You: What is the nicest compliment you have received since losing weight?
Rachael: I think the nicest compliment I have received so far was when my husband and sons went away overnight somewhere and when they came home and I opened the door for them, the first thing both of my sons said to me was, “Mom, you are actually looking skinny!” My 18 and 20 year old sons are not usually ones to pay compliments of any sort, so for them to say that was the BEST thing ever!!
New You: If you could go back in time to when you were beginning the plan, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Rachael: Hmm… Other than saying “Why didn’t you search for a plan like this years ago?”, I would probably say, set and celebrate every single goal reached, reward yourself more (NOT with food!!), and keep it interesting by playing around with combinations.
New You: What would you say to someone considering trying the plan?
Rachael: IT WORKS! I tell EVERYONE I meet how amazingly supportive The New You Plan is as a company. Some people have asked me how I can eat such small portions and not be hungry. I tell them that if you trust and follow the plan exactly as it is written, it works. Trust those who have done the research and gone before us.
Some would argue “I can’t afford it”, until I point out that before the plan, I was spending as much as £10 a day on fizzy drinks and lunches alone…. Now I usually have 5 meals a day for an average of only £1.25 a piece (when taking advantage of the amazing bundles and discount codes offered). That is only £6.25, meaning I am saving £3.75 per day minimum on what I was spending previously! I just think of the new outfit I can treat myself with once I reach my goal!!
Oh…. And must not forget DRINK WATER!! (or as I call it, my “fat burning juice”!).
I am truly thankful every day for The New You Plan and love being part of this supportive and amazing community of people who can celebrate each other along every step of their journey!
Whether you want to lose half a stone or 10 stone*, have a slimmer figure, or are just looking to get maximum nutrition in minimum time, then New You can make the perfect partner to get you to where you want to be.
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The post “How I Lost 7st 11lbs with the New You Plan: My Journey to a Healthier Life” – Rachael first appeared on The New You Plan.
The post “How I Lost 7st 11lbs with the New You Plan: My Journey to a Healthier Life” – Rachael appeared first on The New You Plan.
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