A photo inspired 41 year old mum to change her life. She’s now down 5 dress sizes!
Mum-of-2 Tracey Bentley has lost 3 stone, is lighter than her pre-pregnancy weight and the healthiest and happiest she has been in over 12 years.
Her journey to improved health and body confidence all started with a single photo.
She shares how it inspired her to transform her health and get her confidence back.
Tracey Bentley from Dorset is one of 6 INSPIRING mums who were invited to take part in The Healthy Mummy’s EPIC BODY CONFIDENCE photo shoot in London. The last of 3 photo shoots around the world (others in New York and Sydney) celebrating women of all sizes and ages who are living their best and healthiest lives.
These Body Confidence shoots are a celebration of women of all sizes and ages who are living their best and healthiest lives.
And Wow! These ladies rocked the photo shoot like true professionals. Here is Tracey’s story.
Before discovering The Healthy Mummy
At 41 years old Tracey’s body and health was starting to deteriorate. With a BMI in the obese category and issues with her gall bladder. She says “I was getting older and my body was just falling apart. I just thought my body would always be this shape”.
The photo that changed her life
After being photographed during a fun night out where Tracey she felt she was looking good, she was shocked to see the photo the next day. “I felt awful” she said.
For many years Tracey was convinced that as a tall woman she could get away with being heavier but says “the weight just kept piling on”. And it wasn’t until she saw the photo, that she realised she needed to make a change.
Tracey started to get her body moving and following the success stories of mums on The Healthy Mummy private online support group. Impressed with their results, it wasn’t long before she jumped on board.
Starting her Healthy Mummy lifestyle
Tracey signed up to The Healthy Mummy 28 Day Weight Loss Challenges in May 2018, weighing 14 stone.
Weight loss results – 3 stone in 13 months
Tracey lost 3 stone/47 lbs (down from 14st to 10st 9lbs) and 5 dress sizes (down from size 18 to a Size 8/10).
Tracey’s BMI has also gone down from ‘obese’ to healthy range and she has no more issues with her gall bladder.
How did Tracey lose the weight?
By following the Healthy Mummy 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge meal plans (adjusting for gluten-free varieties) and enjoying a Healthy Mummy Smoothie every day for breakfast.
She says “I love the smoothies. My hair has grown so much in a year and is so natural looking now. It doesnt need conditioner or products any more either and I really think this is all down to the Healthy Mummy Smoothies”
The App recipes cater for Gluten Free
Due to health issues Tracey’s doctor advised her to go gluten free so she simply adjusted her Healthy Mummy meal choices to be gluten free.
She says “The Challenge App has so many gluten free recipes to chose from” and now that she has got used to the change she has learnt how to modify ingredients in the regular recipes for gluten free alternatives.
“The Challenge App gives so many alternatives for wheat products and the admin on the forum page are always able to suggest other items.
Also the smoothies are gluten free, so I know I can have them with without making myself extremely ill” says Tracey.
“The Healthy Mummy has helped my whole family”
With the convenience of the Weight Loss Challenge in the palm of her hand Tracey says “The App has helped in so many ways… from providing some new amazing recipes, helping me discover new foods to try and helped with portion control. (This is where I went wrong for many years)”.
It’s not just Tracey who has benefitted from her Healthy Mummy lifestyle, Tracey’s two kids have too!
Tracey’s entire family (including her 14 year old and 11 year old son) now eat well balanced, nutritious meals.
She says “My kids are both so on-board for helping me become a healthier, happier mum and love the new recipes we have found so far.
The Healthy Mummy has helped to make my son more aware of his own health. He’s only 11 and still carrying his ‘puppy fat’ but he has the physique of a rugby player.
My daughter is using the recipe hub to help her with her GCSE food tech lessons. So not only is Healthy Mummy helping me, but my daughter with her GCSE’s”.
Family favorite recipes
Moroccan chickpea stew, bolognese jacket spud, chilli & brown rice and mac & cheese are all favourites in Tracey’s household.
Tracey’s weight loss tips
- Drink plenty of water. This is so important with aiding weight loss and also when you think you are hungry you may actually be thirsty instead. Read Why drinking water with lemon can help with weight loss.
- Prep a couple of different snacks a week if you can. Buying gluten free snacks is so expensive so prepping some snacks has helped save me quite a lot of money.
- Choose recipes that you would cook normally for your family but try to make them the Healthy Mummy way.
“I’m the lightest, fittest and healthiest I’ve been in 12 years”
“I still can’t get my head round the fact that I’m the lightest, fittest and healthiest I’ve been for over 12 years.
It’s mind boggling how eating such great delicious food can help you lose weight but it actually works. If I can do it, anyone can.
The Healthy Mummy has helped me so much that I can’t even put it into words.
So if you’re still on the fence about whether to join or not…. just look at us all happy healthy ladies on the Facebook page and decide for yourself.
The Healthy Mummy team would like to thank Tracey for sharing her weight loss journey and for being such an inspiration to us. We love that she is the lightest, fittest and healthiest she has been in years.
Are you ready to kick-start your weight loss?
Want to shift weight but feel like you have NO TIME in your day to exercise and eat healthily? That’s where the Healthy Mummy’s 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge can help.
Our Challenge entails:
- 28 days of at home exercise routines (no gym needed) – with video instruction
- Customisable and breastfeeding friendly meal plans
- Time-efficient exercises for busy mums – under 30 mins
- Challenge combines Pilates exercises with interval and circuit training (HIIT)
- Suitable for basic to advanced fitness levels.
- Home to thousands of EASY-TO-MAKE recipes.
To find out more about joining the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge for £1 click here.
PLUS – connect with THOUSANDS of other mums on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge by joining our free support community here