A 163kg nurse, who looks unrecognisable after dropping half her body weight, has revealed exactly how she did it.

Former cake addict Vanessa Brennan, 36, from Las Vegas, shed 82kg in 18 months by cutting out processed food.

She decided to change her ways for good after realising that she’d end up bedbound like her patients if she carried on eating and is now sharing her story to show others they can lose weight naturally too.

“I was addicted to food, I would eat when I was happy and eat when I was sad for comfort, it was a vicious cycle,” Vanessa said.

“I was self-sabotaging; I would eat a cake or two and feel terrible for eating them so then have another two.

“As I got into my twenties, my friends recommended surgery, but I knew it wasn’t the right fix for me, it was the mental aspect that I needed help with.

“Some people are addicted to drugs or alcohol, my addiction was food, but my problem is I need my addiction to live on.

“No tool or surgery will ever fix my mind but myself which is why one day I decided to change my lifestyle.

“I didn’t need a gastric sleeve, I needed myself and a good support system.”

Vanessa started working out and got down to 139kg but when she met her fiancé the weight piled back on.

“I stepped on the scales and promised myself I will never get to size 32 again as I was doing so well and from that day forward my journey truly began.”

Vanessa lost more than 63kg in 18 months by exercising six days a week and eating healthy meals without snacks.

She has since undergone a tummy tuck and an arm reduction in 2014. “I knew the gym would be hard and changing my diet, but I never knew how hard it would be to mentally deal with the trauma my weight had caused me over the years.

“Even after losing all the weight, my mind wasn’t able to adjust to my new body as I was so used to being the ‘fat funny girl with such a pretty face’.

“Previously If I had a bad meal, I would start again on Monday but now if I have one, I jump straight back on it with a healthy meal for the next.

“There is no more putting myself down or saying I ‘can’t do it’ because I know I can so I will continue to maintain a healthy weight.

“I am now off anti-depressants for the first time since I was 16, working out is my new medication.

“My whole entire life has changed, I can now tie my shoes with no problems and walk up a flight of stairs with no problems.

“I have toned down since losing weight, I can be more relaxed and I don’t feel like I have to make everyone aware that I am in the room anymore.”

Vanessa’s food diary
Before
BREAKFAST – Two eggs with two toast and bacon or pancakes.

LUNCH – Large burger and fries with diet coke

DINNER – Pasta with meatballs and Italian sausage with three slices buttered bread.

LATE NIGHT SNACK – Pasta or four slices of bread with butter and desserts such as ice cream, cakes and chocolate.

SNACKS – Crisps, cookies, cupcakes and sweets.

After
BREAKFAST – Egg whites with vegetables and sprinkle of cheese.

LUNCH – Chicken and avocado salad with Greek yogurt.

DINNER – Lean beef or chicken with zucchini noodles and a side vegetable.

SNACKS – Greek yogurt with fruit – lots of lemon water

The post How to lose weight naturally: 163kg nurse who halved her size reveals exactly how she did it appeared first on MyMedicPlus.

A flabby stomach and in a size 20 dress, fed-up Leanne Wilson wanted a tummy tuck.

But she was shocked when her doctor offered her a gastric band instead.

So distraught at weighing almost 18 stones, it was the light bulb moment the takeaway addict needed to change her eating habits.

And she joined Sliming World to shed her fat.

Now, the proud mum-of-two has lost over six stone by following a healthy eating plan and is in a trim dress size 12 and weighs 11 stone 8.5 lbs.

“After having my second child I was so unhappy with the body I was left with.” said Leanne, of Low Fell, Gateshead.

“I had gained so much weight and had a saggy stomach.

“I booked myself an appointment at my GP’s to see if I was eligible to have a tummy tuck. He said no but I could have a gastric band. I knew I was big but this really shocked me.

“With two young children I knew I couldn’t do it as I would be out of action for a while.

“My sister-in-law’s mother had started Slimming World a few weeks before and she said, ‘why don’t you give it ago, you have nothing to lose but weight’.”

Leanne and her mum started their weight loss journey in March 2018.

Leanne said: “I was so nervous. I felt like everyone was staring it me.

“My consultant Clare was so welcoming. She made me feel at ease. Everyone was there for the same thing – to lose weight.”

Since then Leanne and mum Louise Coates, 52, have lost over eight-and-a-half stone between them.

“My mam has been there for me every step of the way. She started with me just for support but she has also found a new lease of life,” added Leanne, 27, who has children, Ava, five and 19-month-old Lewis.

Leanne, who is married to Richard, would often eat curries, Domino’s pizzas, KFCs and McDonald’s.

And her meals made at home came from ready-made jars.

“Takeaways were my best friend, I would eat them all and I would never cook anything from scratch at home,” said Leanne.

“Now I have lost my weight I have so much more confidence that I went out and got a new job recently as a hair stylists.

“I was quite shy when I was big but I had the confidence to go for the interview and I got the job.”

She added: “In my first week I lost 6lb. I knew I was doing the right thing for myself and my children. My journey hasn’t been easy, I’ve had my ups and downs but I’ve never given up. I attended the group every week.

“Cooking was never really my thing. Now I really enjoy it, even cooking from scratch.

“I can now cook for my family of four instead of making four quick and easy meals to suit everyone. At least I know what I’m giving my children is good for them.”

Leanne is delighted with her new look and is back to the weight she was when a teenager.

“Originally I wanted to loose five stone,” she added.

“I reached that target after 10 months. After a month maintaining that weight I felt I wanted to loose more.

“I lost another seven pound but still felt I wanted to loose more. I am now a target member after loosing 6 stone 2lb. I’m the lightest I’ve been in around 10 years.

The post How takeaway addict shed over six stone after doctor said no to a tummy tuck appeared first on MyMedicPlus.