THE absolute highlight of my working week is hearing the inspirational success stories of our Slimpod members, and I’m so excited to be able to share another wonderful one with you here.

Rachael Buckett started her Slimpod journey six months ago, and is now over halfway towards her goal after losing an incredible four stone in that time. She has gone from a size 26/28 to a 16/18.

She is rightly proud of what she has achieved, and knows the changes she has made are for life.

Rachael’s story offers some valuable lessons that I just know will help so many others, no matter what stage you are at in your weight-loss journey.

I chatted with Rachael on Zoom about how she lost four stone and this is the video we made.

Click on the picture to watch it on The Slimpod Channel on YouTube. Make sure you hit the Like and Share buttons!

I lost four stone – Rachel’s story in her own words

Even before I discovered Slimpod, I had made a list of foods that I knew I had an addiction to and had decided to stop eating. They were sweets, bread, crisps and potatoes.

I was lucky and after listening to the Slimpod only once, I was instantly repulsed by crisps.

Before Slimpod I was more than eight stone overweight, convinced I had some kind of undiagnosed condition. and was walking only about 3,000-4,000 steps a day.

I was working from home and bingeing off buttered toast, crisps and pork scratchings. It was a struggle to move – to get off the sofa, to put on my shoes.

Rachael before starting Slimpod

Then I was made redundant and I suddenly had the time to truly get my eating and exercise in order. It was the best thing that ever happened to me!

I started off quite simply, by restricting the foods listed above and walking my dog for longer in the mornings.

After the first month I had lost a stone and was regularly walking over 10,000 steps a day. I had also naturally fallen into 16:8 intermittent fasting.

I found delaying the first thing I ate in a day restricted the amount I was eating overall. I stuck to my eating window of 12 noon till 8pm and ate far more vegetables and salad.

I found my exercise was also giving me a buzz and took away any hunger I was feeling.

New-look Rachael now

I went on a two-week holiday and walked every morning – I came home 6lbs lighter!

In October I started listening to the sugar pod. This initially made me crave sweet things, but I found that they tasted disgusting.

I started to eat a lot more fruit and now only drink water (apart from prosecco on Christmas day and my 50th birthday).

Another big change I made was to introduce some Lucy Wyndham-Read workouts. Then, in November I was lucky enough to get a new job.

I panicked initially: how was I going to fit my exercise in? It was an 8am-5pm desk job, in an office full of men – above a bakery!

I made the decision that I would get up earlier every morning and do exercise before work. So every workday I set my alarm at 6am and do three LWR workouts before work.

I found that instead of making me more tired it actually really gave me a boost and I started each day with such enthusiasm that I never even yawned at work.

At lunchtimes I powerwalked every day, stuck to intermittent fasting and took my own lunch in two small tubs – one tub had overnight oats, and the other salad or just chicken and oatcakes. I only ate what was in my two small tubs plus a few tangerines.

In December I learned more about HIIT exercise and decided to buy a rowing machine. I started rowing 5k every morning after my workouts. I felt amazing!

At Christmas I hit just over three stone weight loss. I enjoyed lovely food at Christmas and some treats – but religiously kept to my exercise and intermittent fasting.

In January I decided to sign up for the challenges of rowing 100k and walking 175 miles – both of which I easily achieved. I started walking home from work (2.5 miles).

I also bought a mini trampoline – a great way to start couch to 5k – and I also use weights.

In February I decided to start walking to work – some days I walked and ran! My goal was to maintain an average of over 14,000 steps a day throughout the month, which I achieved.

During March I have continued to get up at 6am, do two lots of 20 squats, row 5k and then walk to work every day – a power walk for a mile at lunchtime and then the walk home. My goal for the month is 200 miles in total with 100km of rowing, and I have just started cycling.

I consider now that my eating has been “fixed” – my diet is spot on, varied and delicious. I love every meal I make. I no longer emotionally eat or eat because of stress.

My exercise is definitely what gives me the buzz – every day. I always feel better after exercise. I never yawn at work – and usually sleep brilliantly and it completely stops any feelings of hunger.

Sensible eating and good exercise habits go hand in hand for success, together with meal planning and being organised.

If there is something I fancy eating, I never deny myself, but plan it in for the next time I go shopping. Delaying the gratification makes such a difference and puts you in control.

Last week there were two days that I couldn’t walk at lunchtime at work (due to icy conditions) and I felt so sluggish and hungry – it was obvious what a benefit the lunchtime walk is.

I do still obviously listen to Slimpod every night, and always write my three wins. I have lost four stone so far and Slimpod has made this process easy…I just needed to add my determination and planning.

If I can achieve this, while working full time, anyone can do it. The main thing is making a start!

What I eat now I’ve lost four stone

• I still practise intermittent fasting and don’t eat until after my lunchtime power walk.
• I never snack after 8pm
• I still haven’t had potatoes
• I have had three takeaways and really enjoyed them
• I very occasionally have bread
• I have a very small bar of 85% dark chocolate every night
• I have at least three vegetarian meals every week
• I meal plan and only buy what I need.
• I’ve only had two bags of crisps since September
• My shopping trolley is mainly fruit and vegetables.
• I don’t eat low fat versions of any food – they have more sugar
• I am 95% sugar free
• I don’t eat pasta
• I choose wholemeal rice, grains, lentils, chickpeas, quinoa
• I don’t worry about eating cheese.
• I love broccoli, avocado and spinach and have them every day
• I have never been to the bakery downstairs at work.
• I still only drink water

She’s lost four stone – let her know what you think

Please let Rachael know what you think of her achievement and how she lost four stone by leaving a comment below. And do please tell me about your successes and how Slimpod is changing your eating and exercise habits.

Come over and say hello by following me @sandraroycroftdavis on Instagram . I’ll be talking about Rachael in my Slimpod Club live chat at 8pm this evening (Wednesday March 24) so if you’re a member I look forward to seeing you there.