thespencepractice Weight Loss Programme
Neil's Story
Neil is one of our many success stories – and his weight loss journey is still continuing. In the last 18 months he's lost over ten stone and says he has a whole new outlook on life.
Here's Neil's story in his own words, as captured during an interview with a local writer.
Can you describe yourself as you were 18 months ago when you decided to give thespencepractice a try?
“Well, I was definitely the heaviest I'd ever been. Driving a taxi didn't help. Over about eight years my weight had crept up by about over thirteen stone.
“To be honest, at 29½ stone, I saw myself as a bit of a novelty within my group of friends and I played up to it. I drank to the point where I would fall over lots, do stupid things and generally not remember anything the next day. As well as drinking too much alcohol I'd eat rubbish food whenever I was bored, and on the job (driving a taxi) that was quite a lot. I wasn't getting any exercise, even though I love sport. I'd pretty much given up on the idea of doing anything.”
Neil before he lost weight with thespencepractice
Why did you decide to ask thespencepractice to help you lose weight?
“My sister-in-law was talking about how hypnotherapy really worked to help her stop smoking, so I thought why not give it a try? I found thespencepractice on the Internet and went along to see Andrew for a free initial consultation.
“What I really liked is that he didn't try to give me a sales pitch. Andrew was really open about what working with him would involve and that he wasn't going to be able to wave a magic wand to make me lose weight. He made it clear that the onus would be on me to do it, but he would help me.”
Neil during the weight loss programme
So why do you think this has worked where other diets you've tried haven't?
“That's the $64,000 question, isn't it? I think it's because for the first time I've realised that I have to take responsibility – there isn't a quick fix out there that will do the work for me. But alongside that, Andrew has helped me focus on the things I really enjoy in life. The more weight I lose the more I can do the things I love doing, like playing sport – this has completely changed the way I feel.
“Andrew has also helped me take a step back and look at my eating and drinking habits, which were pretty awful. I think a lot of the time I was just doing things out of habit. I don't any more.
“Also, the other diets I tried were so restrictive I'd just get bored with the food and give up after a while. I'm not really on a diet now – I'm just more aware of what I eat. I've stopped eating all the junk I did before – I cook now and I actually enjoy my food so much more!”
So, apart from the food element, how is your life different now?
“The biggest thing for me is that I'm playing sport again. I started out by playing goalie for Andrew's five-a-side team – which I really didn't think I'd be able to do. But I managed and really enjoyed it.
“As each week went by I found I could do things more easily. So I started up my own football team, and now I'm playing tennis and badminton as well. I never would have thought in my wildest dreams a few years ago that I'd be able to do this. It's absolutely brilliant.
“And actually, I think the key to all of this is that it's not just about losing the weight. Losing the weight is a means to me doing the things I want to do in life.”
Neil has now lost over 10 stone with thespencepractice
How do you keep yourself on the 'straight and narrow'?
“I do have to work at it – I'd be lying if I said it was always easy. But the biggest motivation for me is being able to do little things that I couldn't do before – like run up the stairs to my flat and buy shirts in a regular shop. The best was being able to sit comfortably in the seats to watch Brighton & Hove Albion! And every once in a while I'll put on one of my old shirts just to make myself feel good.
“I am allowed the odd treat, and I do have the odd slip, but Andrew doesn't let me dwell on it. We're always looking ahead and focusing on the long term.”
What's the best thing about how your life has changed in the last 18 months?
“It may seem strange, but it's not so much losing the weight as how I feel about myself. Andrew's helped me feel more in control and more confident about myself. I'm more aware of how I live, and I enjoy things more. I really do feel like a whole new me – a completely different person.
“And I can see this lasting for the rest of my life. It's not a short-term weight loss. It's a new way of looking at things – once your eyes are opened, you can't just close them again.”
To find out more about how to lose weight successfully with thespencepractice, contact us by telephone or email.
