How supportive sisters dropped over 12 dress sizes and 10 stone between them
Two sisters have completely overhauled their diets and lost over 10 stone between them after both facing separate health issues.
Amanda, 33, and Clare O'Neill, 26, both from London, lost the impressive amount in just nine months - going from 14st 6lbs to 9st 5lbs and 17st 7lbs to 10st 11lbs respectively.
Amanda, 33, decided to kickstart her weight loss journey when a regular smear test, which detected abnormal cells, saw her facing a hysterectomy.
Concerned about the thought of recovering from a huge operation whilst being overweight, the mum-of-one turned to sister Clare, 26, who had seen her weight creep up following a battle with postnatal depression.
Mum-of-two Clare had already lost a stone by switching her diet and was able to help encourage her sister to do the same.
The sisters have now managed to lose over 10 stone between them by following the 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan.
They have also dropped several dress sizes - Amanda, who used to be a dress size 16 is now an 8 to 10 and Clare used to a dress size 22 and is now a 6 to 8.
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"This is the best thing I have ever done," Amanda explains.
"When I was told about the possibility of a hysterectomy it was like a lightbulb moment for me.
"I wasn't in good shape and I panicked at the thought of how long it might take me to recover."
Since her weight loss Amanda says the difference in her life is incredible.
"I have been back for another smear to find out the abnormalities have improved, and I’ve been discharged from the hospital," she explains.
"I have also halved my medication for a condition called Myasthenia gravis.
"I feel so much stronger and have so much more energy."
The mum-of-one says she didn't realise how much her size before was physically draining her.
"I would avoid pictures and hide behind people or baggy clothes," she explains.
"I am now able to have my picture taken without hating the way I look."
And Amanda credits her sister for giving her the encouragement she needed to overhaul her diet and lifestyle.
"Having my sister alongside me on this journey has been a great support," she adds.
Clare also describes her body transformation as life-changing.
"I suffered with post-natal depression following the birth of my eldest and just piled on the pounds," she explains.
"I found myself in a vicious circle of eating and dieting, I would try something for a couple of days and then just give up."
Post-weight loss Clare says she feels happy and healthier.
"I now have that 'up and go' feeling, wanting to go and play with my children in the park, going out to see my friends," she explains.
"I even went on a fair ride with my kids recently, that's something I would have been too embarrassed to do previously in case I couldn't fit in."
Watch: Poor gut health might be the reason you're not losing weight—Here are 5 things you can do.
The weight loss has had a positive impact on her relationship too.
"Myself and my partner have probably had the best couple of months in our relationship because I have felt sexy, confident and proud," Clare continues.
"I no longer cry in changing rooms. I no longer nag my partner with long conversations about how I will lose weight. Everything is much more positive.
"Because I feel as good as I do, I look at things in a totally different light."
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Amanda's diet before:
Breakfast:
Cafe after the school run for a full fry up and a can of Coke.
Lunch:
Tesco meal deal - usually the triple all day breakfast sandwich - with crisps and a large can of Red Bull.
Dinner:
A takeaway such as a kebab, an Indian, a Chinese or a pizza and a bottle of Coke.
Amanda's diet after:
Breakfast:
1:1 golden syrup porridge and herbal tea.
Lunch:
Salad and a glass of water mixed with 1:1 coconut water flavouring.
Dinner:
Grilled meat or fish with veg and a small portion of rice or potatoes with a large glass of water.
Snacks:
1:1 chocolate peanut bar.
Amanda used to binge on Coke and Red Bull, she now drinks around two to three litres of water a day and has fizzy water mixed with 1:1 flavouring if she fancies a fizzy drink.
She consumes around 1500-1700 calories a day to maintain her weight loss.
Read more: Woman who kicked her McDonald's habit during lockdown loses 5.5 stone
Clare's diet before:
Breakfast:
Either no breakfast or a café fry up or a bacon sandwich with a cup of tea or a Coke.
Lunch:
Chocolate croissants.
Dinner:
A takeaway such as kebab or a cooked dinner of burger and chips.
Snacks:
Crisps and a whole sharer bar of chocolate.
Clare's diet after:
Breakfast:
A bowl of cereal and a cup of coffee.
Lunch:
Chicken salad.
Dinner: Chicken breast or plant-based sausages with sweet potato and vegetables.
Clare used to drink around two litres of fizzy drinks each day, now she has two litres of water a day. Takeaways and fizzy drinks are now a treat rather than a daily occurrence.
Additional reporting Caters.
