I was in reasonably good shape until my thirties. Body fat slowly crept on. Every time I went on holiday I gained a little bit more weight…on one holiday I gained 14 pounds!

I worked long hours and travelled abroad on business a couple of times a month. This resulted in a lot of convenient junk food—tucking into a burger and chips on the train home was normal for me.

I lost a couple of pounds when I got back from holidays, but I never got back to where I started…I’d always been a heavy meat eater.

My blood pressure was always right on the border of low hypertension. My cholesterol was high and my testosterone was nearer the lower end for my age. My face was slightly puffy, but I just put this down to my genetics.

It was around this time that I was looking for an alternative to lifting weights that I could do at home, and I discovered Calisthenics. I loved it! I also qualified as a Personal Trainer, so I help others to get stronger too.

But my gym workouts were suffering—it was taking me longer and longer to recover between workouts. I put it down to my age.

How wrong I was. When I changed to whole foods, and a plant-based diet, my health improved within a few months. Some with results that I never could have imagined was possible. Overall I’ve lost 18 pounds and have maintained that weight for over five years.

George

I had been a little overweight since my teens, always having a sweet tooth and never saying no to dessert.

Things really changed for me in my twenties when unhappiness at work led me to “treat” myself with sweets and biscuits — until it had descended into a full Binge Eating disorder.

I gained a couple of stone, and although I managed to shift it for my wedding using extreme dieting I put it back on and the cycles got worse into my 30’s and early motherhood. I tried many diets and types of exercise — but nothing helped with the cravings.

I discovered a way of eating that was game-changing for me, and later took it further using whole food and eating plant-based. My weight came off (I lost 4 stone), and I’ve maintained it for over five years now.

My energy is better. Symptoms of health problems have disappeared, I have control over my cravings and I feel fitter and healthier than I have ever been since childhood. I am happier.

I am driven to help people become the best versions of themselves, and I have learned that so much of our health and mental wellbeing is entirely down to what we eat.

Sarah x