One mum’s story: I lost 3st, threw out my scales and begun relying on body measurements

Charlotte Leorke is a 22 year old mum of two (ages 3 and 1). Four months after welcoming her youngest son into the world, she felt as though she was stuck in a ‘rut’. What’s more, her weight was beginning to bother her.

“Before falling pregnant with Ben, I had begun to lose weight.” Charlotte says. “During my pregnancy I was constantly worried about the weight I was putting on.

Eventually the midwives told me I was a possible high risk pregnancy due to my weight. That stuck with me long after Ben was born and all I could think was that if I ever got pregnant again it would just get worse.”

That’s when Charlotte discovered the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge.

I threw out my scales and now go by body measurements

“While waiting for a maternal child health appointment, I was surfing Facebook and found the Healthy Mummy page,” Charlotte says.

She immediately signed up to the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge. “I signed up straight away and gave it a crack for the first month. Like a lot of people I self sabotaged myself and let old habits creep back in,” Charlotte admits.

A few months on, Charlotte and her family were on the move, with her partner accepting a new job. “I decided that it could be a new start for me and my outlook on life. I jumped on the bandwagon again and I haven’t looked back since,” Charlotte says.

However, it hasn’t always been an easy journey. “It was hard. I had to overcome a lot of self doubt and loathing of my own reflection – but I did it.”

After just under four months, Charlotte had lost a whopping 3st and achieved one of her biggest goals – getting back down to 13.3st. “I hadn’t been this size since I was 16,” Charlotte adds.

Ever since, Charlotte has continued with the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenges. “I threw out the scales as they were putting me into the wrong mindset. I now mainly go off measurements and was over the moon when I fit into a size 12 pair of jeans!”

Charlotte says when she and her family moved back home after her partner’s 6 month work contract was up she was so thrilled by everyone’s reactions to her weight loss. “It was the best feeling. A real confidence booster.”

Charlotte’s advice for other mums? “One of the most important things I would say to any mum considering joining the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge is to have realistic expectations of what you will achieve. It’s not a ‘quick fix’, it’s a sustainable long term lifestyle that just gets better,” Charlotte says.

You also need to be realistic. “You need to realise that if you are ever going to have any success, it takes time. Big results take time. But it does happen,” Charlotte adds.

Future goals

“One massive goal of mine is to be comfortable in a bikini,” Charlotte reveals.

With a holiday in the works, this young, inspiring mum would love to have the confidence to pull on her bikini.

“I’d love to just lounge around all day in my bikini and not care about who might see me and what they’ll think. Building confidence is so important, and even though I am fairly confident in myself, there is always room to grow.”

Charlotte is on a mission this month to stick to her meal plans, mix up her 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge exercises and go for more walks.

“All of these things will push me in the right direction to conquer my goals and finish out this challenge round feeling proud of myself and my efforts.”

Keep up the amazing work Charlotte!

Inspired by Charlotte’s story?

Check out the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge for yourself!

The Challenge has over 4,000 healthy, family-friendly recipes, more than 350 exercises and 24/7 support from fellow mums to help you achieve your goals.

To learn more about the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge (including the meal plans and monthly themes) click here.