About Me

I was overweight and unfit for 25 years. I tried every diet you can think of – the clubs, the drinks, the pills, the faddy diets.  I frequently lost weight and subsequently piled it back on (and more) when the diet ended. I had sizes 14, 16 and 18 hanging in my wardrobe, and it was nearly always the larger ones that I wore. At 5ft 2” this was not good. I jumped on and off the scales twice a day. I was weight obsessed. I hated exercise. Nothing really worked – I would always be a “yo-yo” dieter!

Then I had the opportunity to walk on the Great Wall of China for charity. I knew I had to lose weight and get fit or I would not be able to do it. So, I took the plunge and found a personal fitness trainer. It is her I have to thank for re-educating me about food, like many people I thought my low calorie, low fat foods were very healthy! I had to face facts – I was a high sugar, high salt, snack dependant, convenience food junkie! Oh and I loved chocolate! It was a shock because I thought I was already eating fairly sensibly, but in reality my diet was very poor. On top of this I did virtually no exercise. I hated it – it made me sweat and hurt.

"To be successful you must break your old habits!"

Originally I was constantly questioning. Can I have this? How do I do that? Why am I hungry at this time? There were so many questions. Slowly I realized that it wasn’t an exclusive club – anyone could get fit and healthy if they really wanted to, were committed, and, just as importantly - had support.

I learned to eat properly and re-educate my taste buds over the next few weeks. I didn’t have to count calories or weigh portions – just eat fresh, healthy foods. I learnt that the quality of the food, not the quantity is of paramount importance. Good nutrient dense food made me feel satisfied and I very rarely felt hungry. I put effort into finding tasty ways to cook fresh food – I discovered a whole new world of herbs and spices, and was thrilled to find I could eat foods that I originally thought were 'fattening' - such as avocados and olives! By cutting out sugar and salt, the cravings and mood swings disappeared. This made me happier, and everything became so much easier. I was able to stick to my new way of eating. This was going to be for life. I was not “dieting” – I was changing my eating habits, eating, feeling good and losing weight. I felt fantastic!

As the weeks went by I also realized that the constant support I had from my trainer was invaluable – unlike a diet club where you meet once a week I had daily contact and that made a huge difference! Support is essential to success.

"I now feel fitter and healthier at 50 than I did at 30."

I thought back to the old days of going to a “diet” club, wearing my lightest clothes, practically starving myself on weigh-in day, having 2 or 3 visits to the loo to lose as much fluid as possible, crossing my fingers as I got on the scales…and if I hadn’t lost any weight – what a depressing feeling!

One thing that really annoyed me was friends saying “how’s the diet going?” They could not understand that I had changed my eating habits for life and was not “on a diet”. I was eating! I am now 3 stone lighter, 3 dress sizes smaller, and feel fitter and healthier at 50 than I did at 30. I’m not skinny – I’m a normal woman! I enjoy a drink and still eat chocolate when I want to!

My only regret – I didn’t do this years ago.

I have maintained a level weight now since 2006. Healthy eating is now a way of life for me and I have qualified as a Nutritionist. I am passionate about helping others to stop yo-yo dieting.

"If you are ready to change I will help you, with daily support and advice."

If you never want to count another calorie, never worry about food again and keep your weight stable, this is the way to do it!

Bev Brammer

S.A.C. Dip. (Diet and Nutrition) Distinction

NCFE Diet & Nutrition Advisor Level 3

Member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists

2004

2006