Fitness

Beth (left) and Bex before starting the 1:1 Diet

A lot of people find the maintaining stage especially difficult. I know first-hand how easy it is to slowly slip back into those old habits, but with this diet, the support is so fantastic I have no doubt the weight is gone for good. BINNING THE BAGGY JEANS Where we used to sink exhausted onto the sofa, we now spend our free time in the great outdoors, running, hiking and cycling.

I’m running the Brighton Marathon in April – it’ll be the longest distance I’ve ever run. The feeling of pride when I get that medal at

tops – but nice ones, not shapeless things that engulf my body.

One of the biggest changes has been to my career. Slimming down gave me the confidence to give up my old job and retrain as a 1:1 Diet consultant, qualifying last March. The degree course is to make sure I’m giving my clients the best help I can.

I know what it’s like to be in their shoes, where the future looks so uphill, where change seems impossible and it all feels too late – but it’s never too late. I’m so thankful that I had Beth by my side every step of the way. I honestly couldn’t have done all of this without her.

ERIN CARDIFF We pay for your stories – email us at truelife@ reachplc.com

the finish line will be indescribable and will prove to me that all this hard work has been worth every second.

Every single area of our lives is different now. Even simple things like clothes shopping, which used to fill us both with dread, has become a joyful experience. Before, we could only buy what fitted us – baggy jeans and tops – but now we love shopping.

Beth wears really nice clothes to work, like smart shirts and trousers. Because I’m a student again, studying for a degree in health, nutrition and exercise, I still wear jeans and BETH SAYS: “I’d got so used to being overweight, it never crossed my mind I could one day be a healthy size. It felt too late to turn it all around. I’d become a hermit, coming home from work, grabbing a takeaway and eating it in front of the TV – only to do it all again the next day. Now, life is completely different. I would say to anybody else wondering what things would be like if they were able to change – don’t just think, do!”

OUR DAY ON A PLATE

■ BREAKFAST: Two Weetabix with skimmed milk ■ LUNCH: Ham or cheese and salad sandwich ■ DINNER: Grilled chicken or fish with veg ■ SNACKS: 1:1 Diet bars in cranberry, toffee or mint flavours