Meet Galiema Ait ouaala, a 43-year-old retirement-fund specialist who decided to put herself first by making healthy choices, staying focused and dreaming big:
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Putting herself last
My weight started to pile on after the birth of my first baby. With the new responsibility, I had no time to deal with my own wellbeing. Then I became a single mom with two kids. I was always tired and run-down, taking care of everyone except myself.
Healthy choice
When I became inactive due to a foot injury I knew I had to do something about it. In 2015, I joined Weight Watchers. The programme puts you in control of what you eat. You don’t feel as though you’re being dictated to and you have choice. When the weight loss began to be noticed by family and friends, my self-confidence grew and my body responded.
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- Before: 119kg
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- After: 83,4kg
Maintaining focus
The hardest part was not going off the rails when I started feeling and looking good. I had to remind myself of the work I’d put in to achieve this amazing feeling. It has not been easy, but nothing worth having is ever achieved without effort. It helps that you can still have a life and be sociable without people knowing you’re on the programme.
Dream big
Weight Watchers has taught me that anything is possible. Nothing is out of reach. Now, I make healthier choices and am more active. I’m open to trying new things – any opportunity is worth exploring. I go to the gym with my daughter and recently started running. It feels great. I enjoy encouraging others because I know how difficult it can be to take the first step and commit to being a better you.
Typical day’s food
Breakfast: Weet-Bix with low-fat milk
Snack: Apple or orange
Lunch: Wrap with chicken and loads of salad
Snack: Rice cakes with peanut butter
Dinner: Stir-fry, oven-grilled fish with veg or roast chicken
Drinks: Green tea, two cups of coffee, flavoured tea (no sugar or milk)
Galiema’s tips
Be kind to yourself
Keep busy, but know when to relax.
Be picky
Don’t waste kilojoules eating something you don’t like. Leave it.
Be realistic
When you lose the bulk of your weight and the losses become smaller, remind yourself to persevere.
Success story
Then: 119kg
Now: 83,4kg
Lost: 35,6kg
Time to lose weight: 18 months
