‘I use a traffic light system to maintain my 10st weight loss’
A woman, whose busy schedule left her relying on takeaways, has shared how she managed to kickstart and maintain an incredible 10st weight loss using a simple traffic light system.
Deb Harm, 57, a tyre garage owner, from Prudhoe, Northumberland, saw her weight creep up after years of working long hours and fast food dinners started to take a toll.
She found herself trapped in a cycle of being too busy to eat during the day and "starving" by dinner time, with stodgy takeaways seeming the "easiest option".
On the evenings she did cook from scratch, Harm found herself snacking on crisps and chocolate whilst in the kitchen.
At her heaviest, in December 2022, Harm weighed 20st 7lbs and wore a dress size 26.
The turning point came in February 2023, when she vowed to overhaul her unhealthy diet and joined the weight loss programme, Lighter life.
Having lost an impressive 10st, Harm now weighs an incredible 10st 5lbs and wears a dress size 12.
To maintain her weight loss she uses a ''traffic light system" to designate types of foods she can consume on different days of the week.
"Monday to Thursday are strict 'red' days where I avoid carbs and fats," the mum-of-two explains.
"Friday, Saturday and Sunday are 'amber' days where I can be more lenient.
"And special occasions like birthdays are 'green' and I let myself go.
"My friends and family have been so supportive and understanding, they'll make plans with me around my traffic light system so I'm not always sat there with a black coffee.
"I'm happy with my weight so it's all about maintaining it."
After welcoming her first child in 1993, with her husband, Greg, 56, who she owns the tyre garage with, Harm found her weight creeping up.
Like many parents, after having another baby in 1996 and going back to work part-time three years later, Harm says she put her own health "on the back burner".
"I've never felt the need to diet," she explains.
"The weight crept on over the last 30 years, but I didn't realise by how much. It was just easier to buy bigger clothes because they're more forgiving."
Harm says she was a convenience rather than comfort eater.
"It was more about what I could get my hands on quickly," she explains.
"Being out of the house at 6.30 am, it was too early to eat, then being busy at work meant I couldn't eat until dinner time and by then I was starving.
"I always wanted stodgy food that was going to fill me up like a Chinese takeaway or pizza and we'd have that at least three times a week."
If she found the energy to cook, Harm says she would snack on crisps or bread and butter as she was preparing the meal.
The initial catalyst for change came when Harm's friend recommended Lighter Life.
Having enrolled in February 2023, she switched her carb-laden takeaways to Lighter Life porridge, soups and meals.
"The weight melted off me," Harm explains.
"The best thing about it was that it fitted into my schedule perfectly.
"Even my tastebuds have changed because I love eating salads now."
Harm says the weight loss has had a huge impact on her life.
"I can now wear whatever I want," she says. "I've had to get a new wardrobe to my husband's delight.
"I enjoy wearing dresses and going into any shop knowing they'll have my size."
Her health has also seen an improvement.
"My back pain has reduced," she explains. "And I can now potter around in my garden.
"I've just become a grandma and I can't wait to be hands-on in every way.
"Customers at work can't believe it's me, especially if they haven't come in for a tyre check-up for a couple of months!"
Additional reporting SWNS.
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