'Losing mum left me heavier than ever, but these simple tips helped me get fit'
by Angela Upex · Manchester Evening NewsWhen Sinead Hatter went to her first post-Covid, ‘in person’ work event in September 2021, she found herself very unhappy after looking at photos of the event and seeing her weight gain.
Sinead jumped on the scales to find out she weighed 13 stone 13 lbs, the heaviest she had ever been, and decided she needed to make an immediate change.
Her weight had steadily increased prior to the networking event. After losing her beloved mother, she turned to food as she grieved.
However from seeing the photos she vowed from that day forward to make changes and with the help of MyFitnessPal, Sinead set a goal to lose three stone (42 lbs) by January 31, 2022.
Studies show people who keep a food diary are more likely to hit their goals. MyFitnessPal simplifies nutrition and calorie tracking, provides the data you want, and helps you make sense of it all. The more you track, the more empowered you’ll become to make healthy choices that support your goals.
Sinead, 35, from Buckinghamshire, said: “I had to mentally prepare myself for the challenge ahead and address a few battles I had been harbouring that hadn’t been dealt with. A lot of this was handled by using food as a comfort, especially after the passing of my dear mum in 2019.
"I realised that I could only change my mindset and this had to happen before I could even start working on my physical appearance.”
Sinead spent a lot of time researching both mindfulness and weight loss and created a clear vision of how to successfully reach her goal.
She set out a plan which involved cutting down on calories and a total diet replacement, whilst also walking 10,000 steps a day and drinking plenty of water.
“This was purely because I wanted to train my body for the first 21 days (the length it takes to break a habit),” said Sinead.
Sinead lost a stone in this time and then gradually increased her calorie intake every two weeks so that she was eventually eating healthier, with better choices and portion control.
She said: “This was a personal choice as I was keen to get into the next weight bracket.”
Sinead ensured the food she ate throughout the day was well balanced that she tracked everything from day one with MyFitnessPal.
Following the new year, Sinead changed the plan and increased her calorie intake, prioritising protein within her meals and pencilling in five sessions at the gym each week.
She said: “I hit the target of 42 lbs and at this point I was happy with what I could see in the mirror.”
Sinead then set a new challenge to drop a further 12 lbs and to create body definition, which was later achieved.
Since then, Sinead has been working on getting more toned and started weight training. “My life has changed dramatically since losing weight, firstly from a mindset and outlook perspective but also in terms of my body confidence,” she said.
Sinead has now dropped to a size 8 and lost over 70lb, which she describes is the smallest and strongest she has ever been.
Sinead believes the key to maintaining a healthy weight is consistency and keeping accountable. Even though she is now happy with her weight, Sinead still uses MyFitnessPal religiously and says she will never stop.
Sinead added: “My weight loss is now steady as I lost such a large amount in the first six months and I am now more focused on sculpting and defining my body, although I still like to have progress each week.”
Sinead continues to set out a plan each week for her activity and to keep track of her calorie intake and is now focused on macros and training. She describes MyFitnessPal as a crucial to this part of her journey.
The amount of weight loss that can be achieved by individuals depends on many factors and cannot be guaranteed.