…Researched and contributed by Lola Smith.
Jen Hinde, a 35-year-old mother-of-one who used to order takeaways daily, has now lost five stone by cooking healthy, nutritious meals at home.
Jen suffered from Fibromyalgia, a condition that causes pain and muscle stiffness throughout the body, and found it hard to exercise or stand and cook for a long time.
Jen had ballooned to 18st 5lb and was told by a doctor that she would need a liver transplant if she continued.
She took the decision to change her lifestyle and lost weight, going from an unhealthy 18st 5lb to a healthy 12st 10lb.
Now confident with her body, Jen says she can now “look in the mirror” and wear a swimsuit without worrying about her weight.
Jen, who used to order from Just Eat at least once a day, has also batch cooked her meals on pain-free days to freeze and heat up later in the week.
She also keeps Slimming World ready meals in the freezer for days when she is in too much pain to cook.
She used to use her condition as an excuse not to cook, but she admits that she was using it as an excuse and not even trying.
Jen, who lives in St Helens, Merseyside, joined Slimming World last year after being diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
When she went back for her annual check-up this year, she was happy to learn that losing the weight had returned her liver to normal.
Jen’s transformation has inspired her to share her story and post pictures of herself, which she was too embarrassed to do before.
Her focus on healthy eating has also helped with her condition, and Jen says she is no longer using it as an excuse not to cook.
COMMENTARY:
Jen’s story is an inspiring example of how a commitment to healthy eating can make a huge difference in people’s lives.
It is also a reminder that cooking healthy, nutritious meals does not have to be expensive and time-consuming.
Batch cooking and using healthy ingredients can lead to positive results, both in terms of physical and mental health.
It’s important to remember that weight loss is not a one-size-fits-all process and may require adjustments to one’s lifestyle, which can be hard work.
However, with the right mindset and a determination to change, anyone can achieve their goals.