The numbers
Kim lost: 4st 6lb in a year
Height: 5ft 7inches
Weight before: 19st 3lb
Weight now: 14st 11lb
As a chubby child, a podgy teenager and larger woman, food was always at the heart of my family – I used to cook with mum, and whenever her back was turned, I had my hand in the biscuit tin.
Food is a big part of my working life, too, from my first job in a tearoom at 15, to my present career as a food stylist – writing recipes and preparing beautiful food for photoshoots. I cook and play with food all day, so it is hard not to indulge. I’ve written healthy eating recipe books, but practising what you preach isn’t always easy. I’ve been on every diet going; the weight drops off, but I always put it back on – plus extra.
But when I reached 19st 3lb in summer 2013, I fell out of love with myself. I was eating toast and jam for breakfast; fish and chips at lunch; crisps, a fizzy drink and a chocolate bar in the afternoon; and a ready-meal or takeaway for dinner. Happy, sad or lonely, I’d eat.
‘When I reached 19st 3lb I fell out of love with myself. Happy, sad, or lonely, I’d eat.’
At the time, I was working with a woman who’s known me my whole career. She reminded me how lovely I looked slimmer; it flicked a switch. I decided: “I’m going to change my life.” No quick fixes – I knew how to do it, I just needed to get into the mind-set of considering how I eat, how much I eat, and when I eat. I slowly cut things out week by week – first pasta and potatoes from my evening meal; then fizzy drinks; then cakes, crisps and biscuits.
I had two treats a week – a mini ice cream, a small bag of baked crisps or a chocolate mousse. Life’s too short to miss out on everything delicious! ‘Portion size and planning is key. Instead of gobbling breakfast in the car, I make time for cereal and fruit. Lunch is a salad or an open sandwich. I fill the fridge with healthy ingredients so I can throw together baked salmon with veg or chicken satay in 30 minutes – quicker than a takeaway! Plus, I freeze meals so I’ll always have something on standby.
‘I knew there was no quick fix. I needed to consider how I eat, when I eat, and how much.’
By December 2013, I’d lost 2st, but I needed to lose more. Then, on Christmas Day, my partner of 10 years proposed! I wanted to feel confident on our big day, so I had renewed motivation for my new lifestyle. The idea of buying a white dress was frightening. I didn’t want to look back at the photos and hate myself in them. I joined a gym and began playing squash and swimming. It changed my body shape and I started to see great results. Every time I dropped 1lb, I wrote it on the calendar, because every one was an achievement.
I didn’t want to go wedding dress shopping until I’d lost 4st. Eight weeks before the wedding, I walked into a shop, saw the dress and within half an hour it was mine. On my wedding day in August I hit 14st 11lb, and I felt amazing!
‘On my wedding day in August I hit 14st 11lb. I love my body, but more importantly, I love me.’
I’m chuffed with what I’ve achieved. To look in the mirror and think I look good is the best tonic. Ideally, I’d like to be 11½st and I hope to achieve that. I’m braver with clothes, I stand taller and I have more energy. I love my body, but more importantly, I love me.’
Kim’s slim-living lessons
Downsize your dishes: ‘I eat my dinner from a small pasta bowl, it looks more than on a plate.’
Forget finger food: ‘If I eat bread, I use a knife and fork, which makes it last longer.’
Go bitesize: ‘I prepare my food by cutting it into small pieces because it looks like more.’