July’s Client of the Month, Justina, joined Livewell eager to lose her baby weight and improve her fitness. Thanks to the service’s dedicated perinatal programme – and her own hard work and consistency – she has lost 18% of her body weight in nine months and is now feeling the benefits of being healthier and able to keep up with her young son.
A nurse by profession, Justina already knew about Livewell, having referred patients for stop smoking support, weight management and NHS Health Checks. When she decided it was time to focus on her own health, she signed up online for the weight management programme. After speaking to her, the customer contact team suggested she would benefit more from specialist support from perinatal advisor, Emma, as she was mum to a one-year-old at the time.
“Before joining Livewell, I felt weak, tired and breathless and struggled to get out of the house for any sort of exercise. It’s hard to put yourself first when you are looking after a baby,” Justina explains.
“Emma understands the demands of being a mum to a young child and the challenges of finding time and childcare to exercise. She supported me to set realistic goals and helped create a personal gym workout at Derby Arena that worked well for me.
“Before, I would get breathless pushing the buggy a short distance, but using the treadmill in the gym helped me increase my walking fitness and stamina. Soon I had built up to five sessions a week, with an hour on the treadmill walking briskly and increasing the incline. I never thought I would like the gym, but I enjoy the ‘me time’ it gives me – tuning into a Netflix programme while I work out – and the good post-exercise buzz.”
Sticking to a sensible 1,800 calories a day saw the pounds steadily drop off. Combined with her regular exercise, Justina’s healthier eating habits helped her tone up and drop from a size 18 to a 14. She says “hard work, discipline and consistency” have completely changed her mindset.
“I do not restrict myself – if I want an ice cream, I will have one – but, on the whole, I stick to eating a high fibre, high protein diet, stacked with fruit and vegetables.”
Justina now uses her air fryer instead of deep frying, has swapped full fat for low fat mayonnaise and never skips meals. A typical breakfast is Greek yoghurt, blueberries and honey, followed by sweet potato and salmon for lunch, and dinner might include boiled eggs or chicken breast, vegetables and mixed rice.
She credits Emma’s regular check-ins with keeping her accountable and motivated.
“Emma’s positivity and encouragement kept me focused and determined to reach my target. Now that I’m there, I’ve reset it for a further five kilos, just to get me to a healthy weight for my height.”
The impact on daily life has been significant.
“Now I can push the buggy up steep hills, play with my son and walk for miles. I have more energy and feel much less tired, which makes being a mum to a little one so much easier. I tell everyone I meet about the difference the programme has made to my life, in the hope they seek the same support.”
Emma is delighted with Justina’s progress, and with the positive changes she has made for herself and her family.