This week Gillian catches up with Sandra Fowle from series one, a busy working mum who lives in Oxfordshire with her husband Simon and their two teenage sons and small twins, India and Fergus.
Gillian first met Sandy eight months ago. Then, Sandy was morbidly obese, weighing in at 20 stone. Her hectic lifestyle, working and looking after her twins, meant she did not eat at regular times and spent all day snacking, with a particular fondness for bread and butter. Her weight problem was not helped by husband Simon’s homemade fudge, and home-baked white bread that Sandra used to smother with butter.
When Gillian confronted Sandy with her weekly food intake, Sandy was horrified. Gillian was particularly concerned about the amount of butter Sandy ate, so she showed her the equivalent of her monthly fat intake in lard – a colossal 4500 grams, or almost a stone.
Gillian then gave Sandy a holistic once-over. She noticed that Sandy’s hair looked thin and Sandy said that lots often came out on her brush. Gillian told her that this is common after pregnancy but 3 years after the birth of her twins, this should no longer be happening.
Once Sandy had consulted her GP, Gillian set about making some major changes for her and her family. She banished foods such as chocolate, white bread and butter, and devised a new eating plan which included plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, beans and grains. Sandy’s late night snacks were replaced with healthy soups, and bread and butter was replaced with quinoa loaf topped with sweet potato.
Gillian first met Sandy eight months ago. Then, Sandy was morbidly obese, weighing in at 20 stone. Her hectic lifestyle, working and looking after her twins, meant she did not eat at regular times and spent all day snacking, with a particular fondness for bread and butter. Her weight problem was not helped by husband Simon’s homemade fudge, and home-baked white bread that Sandra used to smother with butter.
When Gillian confronted Sandy with her weekly food intake, Sandy was horrified. Gillian was particularly concerned about the amount of butter Sandy ate, so she showed her the equivalent of her monthly fat intake in lard – a colossal 4500 grams, or almost a stone.
Gillian then gave Sandy a holistic once-over. She noticed that Sandy’s hair looked thin and Sandy said that lots often came out on her brush. Gillian told her that this is common after pregnancy but 3 years after the birth of her twins, this should no longer be happening.
Once Sandy had consulted her GP, Gillian set about making some major changes for her and her family. She banished foods such as chocolate, white bread and butter, and devised a new eating plan which included plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, beans and grains. Sandy’s late night snacks were replaced with healthy soups, and bread and butter was replaced with quinoa loaf topped with sweet potato.
When the results of Sandy’s blood tests came in, Dr Sanjiv confirmed that she was deficient in essential fatty acids, necessary for healthy skin and hair. Gillian believed this could be the reason for Sandy’s hair loss. Dr Sanjiv also told Gillian that Sandy was putting her heart at serious risk.
After two weeks on the new eating plan, Sandy and husband Simon were struggling with some of the new foods such as quinoa grain porridge. Miso soup, on the other hand, was well received, although Sandy thought it was an odd choice for breakfast. Three weeks in, Sandy realises that the key to success is being well organised, and she starts going for a half-hour walk every day, as well as using the trampette.
So 8 months after their first meeting, what did Gillian find when she returned to the Fowles? To Gillian’s delight, Sandy has now lost 4 ½ stone, or 5 dress sizes. She has stacks of energy, her hair is stronger and her skin is glowing. Husband Simon has also lost 4 stone. When Gillian raids Sandy’s fridge, she finds it full of fresh fruit and vegetables. Sandy is even preparing an aduki bean salad for dinner. Sandy now cycles up to 6 miles a day, and she tells Gillian that she now treats herself to something special for herself, like a facial, rather then snacking.
Sandy tells Gillian that everything about her life is now better, and she’s determined to lose the next 4 ½ stone. Gillian tells her she should be really proud, not forgetting how well she has done so far, and to remember it takes time to put weight on, and time to take weight off.
In the final frames of the show, Sandy is seen enjoying a brisk bike ride.
After two weeks on the new eating plan, Sandy and husband Simon were struggling with some of the new foods such as quinoa grain porridge. Miso soup, on the other hand, was well received, although Sandy thought it was an odd choice for breakfast. Three weeks in, Sandy realises that the key to success is being well organised, and she starts going for a half-hour walk every day, as well as using the trampette.
So 8 months after their first meeting, what did Gillian find when she returned to the Fowles? To Gillian’s delight, Sandy has now lost 4 ½ stone, or 5 dress sizes. She has stacks of energy, her hair is stronger and her skin is glowing. Husband Simon has also lost 4 stone. When Gillian raids Sandy’s fridge, she finds it full of fresh fruit and vegetables. Sandy is even preparing an aduki bean salad for dinner. Sandy now cycles up to 6 miles a day, and she tells Gillian that she now treats herself to something special for herself, like a facial, rather then snacking.
Sandy tells Gillian that everything about her life is now better, and she’s determined to lose the next 4 ½ stone. Gillian tells her she should be really proud, not forgetting how well she has done so far, and to remember it takes time to put weight on, and time to take weight off.
In the final frames of the show, Sandy is seen enjoying a brisk bike ride.
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