Wishing For Some Get Up And Go

Nicola Moore looks at supporting Helen, who wants to lose a little weight and gain a lot of energy

- Nicola Moore

Mum of two and part-time worker Helen would like to shift “a bit of excess weight” that she says she has struggled to get rid of since having her children several years ago. She doesn’t keep an eye on the scales but thinks she needs to lose about a stone.

She also feels tired, especially in the morning, and would love to wake up feeling “raring to go”. She gets about six and a half to seven hours’ sleep per night, on average, and says the main problem is too many late nights. Now in her late 30s, she tries to juggle family, work and friends, and rarely takes time out for herself.

Helen’s day starts at 7am with a cup of coffee with almond milk “to get me going”. She usually has one or two coffees before midday but nothing after as it interferes with her sleep. If she doesn’t have her morning coffee (which is very rare) she will often get a headache towards the end of the day, and occasionally a migraine.

Breakfast is usually a smoothie made with whatever fruit and veg she has to hand and some almond milk. She tries to avoid cow’s milk as it gives her tummy ache and irritates her skin (although she does have cheese — which she loves). She also doesn’t eat gluten. Sometimes she will add various ‘superfood’ powders to her smoothie, like chia, cacao, or various pre-prepared blends.

Lunch might be scrambled egg or cheese on toast, leftovers from the evening before, or waffles made with eggs and gluten-free flour. In summer she tends to eat more salads with chicken or a piece of fish. She does feel like she rushes her lunch — and probably all her meals — and doesn’t take the time to sit and enjoy them due to all the things she has to do. She makes a point of not eating her children’s leftovers so doesn’t think she is eating unconsciously.