Becoming the best version of yourself
Like many of us, Rachel Riley wasn’t feeling like herself during lockdown. “I felt like a plane in turbulence,” the 48-year-old mother of two said. “Who I was didn’t align with how I looked.”
She’s not alone in putting on weight during 2021. Many people have turned to comfort eating to deal with the boredom and isolation, and with gyms being closed, it’s been harder to maintain regular exercise.
“I wanted to lose weight, but I’m not someone who wants to deprive myself or count calories,” she said.
Rachel’s approach to weight loss
Rachel had tried to lose weight a few times in the past, but the meal replacement shakes she used were unappetising and lacking in nutrients. As a skin clinician at James Vivian in Toorak, she often sees the result of poor nutrition, and so wanted to continue to look after herself while losing weight.
It wasn’t until a client told her about different meal replacement shakes that Rachel decided to try it again. The shakes, from Australian company Formulite, contained pre- and probiotics, as well as vitamins and minerals.
Rachel began exercising regularly and replacing a meal a day with a shake, adding yogurt and berries to fill her up when she was particularly hungry. She found the shakes especially useful when she didn’t feel like cooking.
“On those nights, when I’m tired after a long day, I used to just have toasties or chips, which isn’t great when you’re trying to lose weight, “she said. “But shakes are really easy to make, and I don’t have to worry about what I’m putting into my body. And if I’m really hungry, like after the gym, I’ll just add a banana, nuts and oat milk – and I’m so full.”
Feeling fuller for longer has meant she’s cut down on snacking throughout the day, which she’s happy about.
“As a friend of mine says, little pickers wear big knickers!”
An enjoyable journey to self-fulfilment
Rachel has lost 10 kilograms so far, and has another five to lose until she reaches her goal weight. But she’s already loving the way she feels.
“I’m feeling great, I’m loving seeing the changes,” she said. She’s also enjoying the feeling of being able to wear dresses and jeans again and the extra mobility she’s gained from exercising. Pain from the arthritis in her knee has eased too, and no longer wakes her up at night.
After a long lockdown of not feeling great, the tide is turning for Rachel. Her body now reflects the way she feels inside, and she’s making good, healthy choices, which mirrors the way she wants to live her life.
“I want to meet my life partner and be the best version of myself,” she says. “That’s what it was really about for me – being the best version of myself.”
