by A mum who dropped an incredible six stone in a year has revealed her secret – after constantly asking for weight loss tips. Carla Fishwick was approaching her 40th birthday and knew she wanted to get fit but always felt “too lazy” to take action.
Over the years, she tried “millions of diets” but never found one that suited the busy lifestyle of running her own hairdressing business and being a mother-to-be.
But while browsing Instagram one afternoon, Carla, now 42, was inspired by the transformations on a coach’s online page and decided to give it a shot herself, reports the Manchester Evening News.
She enrolled for an initial six weeks on the Francis Diet, which provided her with a personalized calorie and nutrient-controlled diet. She also received a customized fitness plan with exercises created by trainer Scott Francis that she could do at home.
Within three weeks of starting in February 2022, Carla had already lost a stone. The quick results showed her what she could achieve if she put her mind to it – and she embarked on a “lifestyle change” that helped her lose a whopping 6 pounds in a year.
Carla went from 16 to 6 or 8 and now posts her own transformation pictures on Instagram and is keen to inspire others struggling with weight by sharing her personal story. The mum used social media to document her journey from 14 8l to a svelte 7st 13lb.
Carla, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, said: “I’ve always been so lazy, I’ve always been the type of person to sleep until the last alarm, I’ve always wanted to lose weight but I just wasn’t willing to do it now I get up every morning at 5am to exercise because I know it will make my day change for the better and it’s not just about losing weight.
“I get messages from people asking me for help, and I feel like if there’s anything I can do to help people out, I want to try it. People think there’s a magic pill or a secret, but there isn’t there’s a secret – it’s all down to hard work and motivation. Once you get to where you want to be, there’s no going back.”
Some critics have expressed doubts about Carla’s weight loss, with some saying it could be down to surgery. But the hairdressing manager rubbished the claims, saying her results are only the result of dedication and effort.
Carla is now an ambassador for the Francis Diet, which has changed her life. She said: “I first saw Scott’s page a year before I signed up to Instagram. What drew me to him was his transformation and he didn’t take anything away from people.
“It gives you an eating plan and an exercise plan, you check in every week with pictures, but it’s not just the weight loss but the mental health side, if you’ve got things going on in your life or if you’re emotional. he eats it all working on that too.”
She continued: “My goal when I started was not to reach a certain weight, but to fit into a size 12. However, I found the process so simple that the weight fell off out. I was shocked when I fell down. to a size 8, and even a size 6s fits me now, which I never thought possible.”
Carla now likes to hit the gym in stylish workout clothes but in the early days she was more comfortable exercising at home. She said: “When you first sign up you get a welcome pack and a choice of exercise. Because I was so heavy when I started it was just putting in my steps and I couldn’t exercise every day because that I was so exhausted.
“For the first six months I did it all from home. I bought a treadmill from Facebook Marketplace for £80 and used small weights, but you can also do body weight exercises without the need for any equipment.
“[Later] I got the confidence to go back to the gym and now it’s non-negotiable for me to do my exercises, it’s also part of my lifestyle, it’s something I want to do every day. “
One of the exciting aspects of losing pounds for Carla is the freedom to walk into a store and buy whatever outfit she wants, knowing it fits. And the curly hairdresser’s amazing transformation is a regular talking point for clients in her salon.
One of her friends is ex-Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona, who took to Instagram to share her own commitment to the Francis Diet.
Carla says the lifestyle change has done wonders for all aspects of her life, saying: “I feel more organized in my whole life. When I’m ready for the school run, when I’m ready for work, I’m all organised. Soon I do everything, I feel like your exercise at 5am gives you endorphins and the energy to do the rest of the day.”
Carla’s diet before
Breakfast:
A large caramel latte from the coffee shop
Lunch:
A healthy lunch at work
Dinner/night:
Snacks – crisps, daughter’s leftovers, picking at husband’s food
Drinks with husband
take with you
Carla’s diet now
Breakfast:
Scrambled egg with a piece of bacon
Lunch:
Chicken salad
Dinner/night:
Chicken sausage with spinach and vegetables or homemade bolognese
Snacks – nuts
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