Mom of 3 loses 56lbs and finds ‘herself’ again. Now training to be a firefighter!

Overwhelmed with looking after 3 children under 4 years old and weighing her heaviest ever, mom Laura Linklater (age 34) was desperate to find ‘herself’ again.

She has now lost 56 lbs in 8 months following The Healthy Mommy 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge and has gone from maternity size 12/14 to a 6/8.

Feeling unstoppable and confident, she is well on her way to obtaining her ultimate goal of becoming a firefighter. Go Laura!

Laura Linklater from the UK is one of 6 INSPIRING moms who were invited to take part in The Healthy Mommy’s EPIC BODY CONFIDENCE photo shoot in London. The last of 3 photo shoots around the world this month (others in New York and Sydney); all part of World Healthy Mommy month.

These Body Confidence shoots are a celebration of women of all sizes and ages who are living their best and healthiest lives.

And boy did these ladies rock the photo shoot like true professionals.

Here is Laura’s story.

“My body was broken”

Laura says “I had 3 babies in under 3.5 years – my body was so broken I didn’t even recognize it by the time baby 3 was born. I struggled to feed myself, let alone the family. I had no energy and existed on cookies and starchy carbs.

After having her 3rd baby in May 2018 Laura weighed 181 lbs.  She says “I’ve been 125 lbs my entire adolescence and adult life until having babies and while I’d never change having my gorgeous children, I didn’t feel or look like ‘ME’ anymore.

I didn’t have the tools or the strength or the confidence to be who I wanted to be and was feeling overwhelmed!

Healthy Mommy arrived at a time when I think I was teetering on the edge of postnatal depression (PND)”.

Not long after Laura’s doctor gave her the all clear to start exercising she came across The Healthy Mommy on Facebook. At the time she had been searching for breastfeeding friendly smoothies.  She decided at that moment to give The Healthy Mommy a try.

Getting started with The Healthy Mommy

Laura started tentatively following some recipes and postnatal videos for the first couple of months and then fully committed to The Healthy Mommy 28 Day Weight Loss Challenges in September 2018. She has been following the Challenge App meal plans and 2-3 video exercises per day ever since.

The Healthy Mommy Challenge has given Laura more confidence in cooking a wider range of food and snacks which her 4,2 & 1 year old all enjoy.

Weight Loss Result – 56 lbs

Laura has lost 56 lbs, down from 183 lbs to 127 lbs!

“Fittest I have been in my life” – doing 5k races

Not only has Laura lost 56 lbs she is now the fittest she has ever been and training to become a firefighter.

She adds “I’ve taken up running after being inspired by other Healthy Mommy’s on the wonderful Facebook support group. They encouraged me to do a Couch to 5k Course”.

Laura just completed her first 5K and is loving all the energy she has gained.

She says “I’m feeling great now as I have Facebook peer support, a framework for meal planning and resourcing our ingredients (ie the shopping list)”.

Noticeable changes for Laura since starting The Healthy Mommy

• “More energy and my Fitbit heart fitness has gone from poor to good-very good rating.
• Body no longer hurts when I wake up.
• Feel more confident and don’t shy away from social situations.
• Not anemic anymore (I nearly had a blood transfusion when I was pregnant).
• Have thicker hair, my nails are stronger and my skin is now clearer”.

Laura’s 3 tips for weight loss

1. Start small. Just drink water. The difference it makes is mind boggling and feeling fresh makes you want to make healthier choices.
2. Set small, achievable goals and celebrate when you reach them. Have a list of non-food treats for you and your family to use to celebrate (ie: face mask, walk in the fresh air, playing a board game, go see a movie, bowling, long hot relaxing bath while partner takes everyone out of the house!)
3.  Tell your family and friends about your goals (long term and short term) and ask for their support. Give them the list of non-food treats so they don’t buy you chocolate for your birthday or other occasions.

Gaining strength and self-love

“I just am very very thankful that the Healthy Mommy came into my life when it did.

It’s not punitive, I’ve never felt shamed – even at my biggest. In fact, I feel like an empowered strong woman.

The Healthy Mommy is about a lifestyle of strength, self respect, self love, and become healthy through empowering lifestyle choices.

It’s an antidote to the toxic narrative around women’s bodies, especially post-baby bodies. And I am proud to be a lifetime member and be a part of it”.

The Healthy Mommy team would like to thank Laura for sharing her story with us.  We love seeing the healthy and confident mom she has become today and have no doubt she is going to ace her firefighter tests. Well done Laura!

Are you ready to become a Healthy Mommy?