{"id":3134,"date":"2021-06-10T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-10T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slimmingworld.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=3134"},"modified":"2025-01-24T13:56:09","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T13:56:09","slug":"inspire-caitlin-trick-7st-weight-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.ie\/blog\/inspire-caitlin-trick-7st-weight-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI lost over 7st and never counted a single calorie\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As our research reveals<\/a> how calorie counting alone doesn\u2019t add up to long-term weight loss success, we couldn\u2019t miss the chance to share this inspiring slimming story. After years of weighing, measuring and counting every calorie without seeing results on the scales, Caitlin Trick knew there had to be a better way. Here\u2019s how she lost 7\u00bdst with Slimming World and discovered the freedom to enjoy her food \u2013 without worrying about the calories…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Standing in the supermarket, I opened the calorie-counting app on my phone and immediately my spirits dropped. Trying to work out what I could eat within my calorie limit had become a daily chore and after a busy day at uni I was ravenous, having only eaten a banana and a salad all day. I closed the app and started to walk home, stopping on the way to pick up a large takeaway pizza, wedges, garlic bread and a bag of cookies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My weight issues had begun when I was 10 years old, and I dislocated my knee while playing with my sister. I had to use crutches for a couple of months, and I turned to food out of boredom. I\u2019d snack on bags of crisps, biscuits, cereal\u2026 anything that would boost my mood. That habit continued as I grew up and by the time I was 19, I weighed over 17st. The bigger I got, the less I wanted to go out with my friends, so I\u2019d stay at home and comfort myself with takeaways instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breaking away from calorie counting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019d lost track of how many times I\u2019d tried to lose weight, each time turning to calorie counting. After a few days of eating nothing but a poached egg or beans on toast, I\u2019d be so hungry and cranky. I\u2019d soon get tired of counting everything and go back to having toast smothered in Nutella for breakfast, sandwiches and a pasty at midday and a takeaway pizza in the evening.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Caitling<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Then, in 2019, during my first year at university, I slipped while running for a taxi and badly dislocated my knee again. I was referred to a knee and joint specialist who told me I\u2019d need surgery to repair the injury. \u201cYou\u2019ll need to be 5st lighter for the operation,\u201d he said. It sounded like an impossible amount of weight to lose. In all my years of calorie counting, the most I\u2019d ever lost was 2st. I knew I had to do something if I wanted to have the operation, so when my mum asked if I\u2019d join Slimming World with her, I didn\u2019t hesitate to say yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More on the blog: Discover why Ryan is sleeping soundly after losing 15st<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Mum led me into group, I was a bundle of nerves. After being greeted by a sea of smiling faces, though, I instantly relaxed. I think it helped that the other members were open about their own journeys and happy to share their experiences if they\u2019d struggled. It made me realise that no one in that room would ever judge me, because we were going through the same things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discovering the freedom of Free Foods<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I went home armed with my Food Optimising<\/a> book and planned out my week\u2019s meals. I started my days with lots of fresh fruit and fat-free natural yogurt. Lunch was a home-made soup or an omelette filled with plenty of veg, and for dinner I made something really tasty like beef tagliatelle<\/a> or cottage pie<\/a>. Because I was filling up on Free Foods like lean meats, fruits and vegetables, I didn\u2019t have to worry about counting calories all the time \u2013 and I didn\u2019t feel hungry at all. When I found out I\u2019d lost 6lbs after my first week, I started to believe I could actually lose weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More on the blog: Fall in love with Slimming World Free Foods<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At group, I started joining in the conversations about what everyone had been eating each week, and it felt like a real turning point in my relationship with food. My Consultant, Joanna, and the other members gave me lots of tips for how to handle eating out of boredom, like keeping chopped carrots and celery in the fridge to snack on or going out for a walk rather than turning to food.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Caitlin<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

As the number on the scales came down, I began to think about becoming more active. I started taking our family dogs out for longer walks, going a bit further each time. Once I felt comfortable doing that, I decided to go to the gym a few times a week. Gradually, my fitness and confidence grew, and soon I was signing up for yoga classes and riding my bike as often as I could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve lost 7\u00bdst in two years and every part of my life has changed. I\u2019m much more confident when giving presentations at uni and, after I graduate this summer, I\u2019d love to be able to help people in the way Joanna has supported me. My outlook on life is a lot brighter and, for the first time, I\u2019m genuinely excited about what the future holds for me. That\u2019s what freedom feels like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More on the blog: Find out how Tansy Arnett broke her cycle of comfort eating to lose 7st<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover more in this week’s episode of the Slimming World podcast Let’s talk calories<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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