Secret of slim success

Jan 17 2010 by Mieka Smiles, Sunday Sun

MOST have fallen victim to an unflattering photo, but for Katie Laverick, the image staring back at her kick-started a new lifestyle, which has seen the account manager lose more than half her body weight. MIEKA SMILES met her.

Katie’s trainer also helped her to piece together a healthy diet plan.

She said: "I still snack now, but the difference is that it’s healthy snacks and I have cut certain things out. I don’t eat bread now or many carbs. The carbs I do eat are brown rice and green vegetables. My diet is also high in protein and now I have to have breakfast."

In less than two years, Katie has now lost an amazing 11 stone, slimming from a size 22 or 24 to a 10. She said: "The weight loss was actually very slow at first but it’s come off now. I feel 100% better and like a totally different person.

"A lot of people haven’t recognised me as I look totally different. My confidence has definitely gone up. I can now walk into a shop and pick something off the rail to wear and not have to worry what it’s going to look like. I don’t think I’ve attracted any more attention – and if I have I haven’t noticed."

But Katie is determined to highlight that there were no faddy diets or quick weight-loss plans involved in her success.

She said: "There is no quick fix, no matter how many celebrities say so in the magazines that you read. It’s down to hard work and eating less – and I would recommend that to anyone."

And she is determined to never find herself in the same situation again. Looking at the old photos she said: "I can’t believe that person used to be me. It’s like looking at someone else. I will never let it get that bad again – it’s too hard to get it off."

Katie's statistics

Heigh: 5ft 2in

Weight: Was 21st 7lb Now 10st 7lb

Dress size: Was 22 to 24 Now 10

Katie's typlical menu

Before

Breakfast: Skip breakfast and then grab a cereal bar or bag of crisps on arrival at work

Lunch: Sandwich on white bread with mayonnaise and a packet of crisps

Snack: A packet of crisps or a bar of chocolate

Dinner: A super-sized portion of pasta

Drinks: At least one glass of wine after work and often a whole bottle

Now

Breakfast: Porridge 

Lunch: Green vegetables, chicken and brown rice

Snack: A piece of fruit, chicken or tin of tuna

Dinner: Chicken, turkey or fish with salad or vegetables

Drinks: Plenty of water

Katie's tips

:: DON’T look for the quick fix – there isn’t one.

:: DON’T do it unless you want to do it. If you’re doing it because other people have told you to it, you won’t stick to it.

:: YOU don’t have to be strict all the time; if you want a pizza at the weekend then go for it.

:: DON’T follow fad diets or believe what you read in celebrity magazines.

:: AND remember – losing weight isn’t rocket science. It’s about eating less, watching what you eat and exercise.