Nearly half the woman I was
I have worked for Fitness First for over 12 years. I started as Bar Manager when Telford opened in 1998, I progressed to Administration Manager and then got General Manager of Burton on Trent in January 2000. I have been in my current role since Summer 2003.
I have always been overweight. I remember being a size 18 at 18. In 2008 a lot of things happened to make me realise that I needed to take action regarding my weight. I got to the stage where I knew that if I didn’t do something there and then, I would kill myself from a heart attack or an obesity related disease.
In November 2008 I decided that I wanted the weight gone, and the weight gone NOW! So I investigated the Gastric Band and Gastric Bypass privately. I asked my parents to loan me £11,000 for the Gastric Bypass operation and ended up having a big family meeting regarding all the information that I had found out. Having weighed (no pun intended!) up the pros and cons, the thought of potentially dying on the operating table, post-operative complications and being on nutritional pills for the rest of my life, meant I ultimately decided that an elective surgery was not right for me.
So in January 2009 I gave up smoking, got a Personal Trainer and joined Weight Watchers. I am now on my 4th and 5th PT (yes I have two – one scares me, so I do as I am told, and the other I can verbally abuse, as I don’t like working out!). Each week I weigh in with Weight Watchers and every month I have my measurements taken with my PT. It’s great to be able to quantify my achievements by something other than weight. For example, at the end of October 2010 I had lost 2kg in the month, which I was not that happy about. However, I lost 3% Body Fat – which is insane! Had I just been going from weight, I think I would have been demoralised, but seeing all the other measurements coming down is a real boost. I’m in the gym most mornings, but use classes if I’m losing focus and motivation.
I’ve lost 10 stone so far and need to lose another 3 stone to achieve my goal of being within my “healthy” 21-25 BMI. I’m now down to a size 14-16, which is MAD, as I have never been an adult at this size. I’ve discovered I have bones where I didn’t realise before! I have to be really organised with my food and write everything down.
I can honestly say that I could not have done this without the help and support of everyone I know in Fitness First. Here’s to the next 3 stone!
READ COMMENTS ON THIS STORY
well done gabby, good luck
from your ex ITL man, who misses repairing sky and music in clubs
By Geoff Saxton
I worked at the Burton branch of Fitness First from 2000-2004. Gabby was an absolutely brilliant manager and we had some great times ! Lovely to hear your story and well done.
By Natasha Bradfield
well done gabby xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
By sharleen