If I hadn’t visited my doctor six years ago because I feared I had early onset Alzheimer’s, I may never have addressed my unhealthy weight and relationship with food.
Back in 2020 my brain fog had become so bad that I was convinced there was something seriously wrong. I’d pick up the phone to call my best friend and couldn’t remember her name. Another time I was in my kitchen and couldn’t recall the word for ‘fridge.’ Professionally it was causing problems for me at my PR company as I struggled to remember client’s names.
Tests showed that my cognition was good, ruling out Alzheimer’s but my recall was terrible. So my doctor asked me what my nutrition was like. I admitted it was terrible and she replied: ‘Garbage in, garbage out.’
It was a lightbulb moment. As crazy as it sounds I’d never previously made a connection between health and nutrition but I knew then my diet had to change.
When I visited my doctor aged 49 I weighed in at 12 and a half stone, far too much for my 5ft 3 frame, and was struggling to shed it. Up until that point I had, like so many women, yo-yoed for years.
I joined Weight Watchers so many times I was ‘a lifetime member’. I’d sign up, follow the diet, achieve my goal and then regain it all because I would revert to my old junk food habits.
After working with a coach on The Wonder Women Program, which focuses on strength training, nutrition and mindset, Jodi Echakowitz lost four stone in just nine months
Now aged 55, Jodi weighs eight and a half stone and, impressively, her once 40 inch waist now measures a trim 26.5
Over-eating may have been a problem for me but lack of movement never was. I grew up in South Africa and, since childhood, I’ve always been active and sporty. I played hockey, squash, did athletics and was forever at the gym. Between 2007 and 2008 I did four half marathons and many 5k and 10ks, even though I really wasn’t in great shape.
It wasn’t until 2022 that I discovered The Wonder Women Program, which has changed my life. The focus is on strength training, nutrition and – something I’d previously neglected – mindset. All while working one to one with a coach.
I lost four stone in nine months and today, aged 55, I am in the best shape of my life. I now weigh eight and a half stone, and my once 40 inch waist has reduced to a trim 26.5.
Here’s everything I did to shed weight, get in shape and learn to love my body.
1. Stop the self-sabotage and negativity
Changing your mindset is as key to losing weight and getting healthy as diet and exercise. Whenever I previously dieted I would always self sabotage by hitting my goal then going back to my unhealthy eating.
It all stemmed from being a teenager, when my late mother would comment unkindly on my appearance. One time, when I was heading out in leggings and a miniskirt, she told me I looked ‘like a whore.’ I thought I looked really good and it totally shattered my confidence. After that, every time I started to feel good about myself I would self-sabotage because I didn’t think I deserved to look slim and attractive.
In my later years I would tell myself I was happy with who I was but it was never true. Understanding that I deserve good health and confidence has been transformative.
I no longer punish myself if I go off track (such as when I’m travelling). I don’t call myself ‘stupid’ or force myself to do more exercise to make amends. I just get back on track.
2. Rethink workouts
Today I train with intention, five times a week. Previously I worked with the same personal trainer for 15 years. It kept me accountable to show up for a workout but I never progressed.
Getting a small treadmill to put under your desk is a great way to stay active whilst working from home, Jodi advises
Like lots of women, I ended up doing the same routine every time I hit the gym. Now I have an online coach who gives me a new training block every four weeks. I make sure I increase my reps, or add more weight each week and now understand the importance of building muscle which is essential for longevity as we age.
I get my 10,000 steps in every day too. As I have a desk job, my husband, Julian, built a platform over a treadmill for me and now I walk while I’m working on my laptop.
3. Eat five small meals
Typically I eat at 8am, 11am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm. It sounds like a lot but these are small meals of around 300 calories each. I have my biggest intake of carbs just before training and again just after.
The macros-based meals are balanced for carbs, fat and protein including lots of salads, stir fries and grilled meat and fish with veg.
Jodi says her macros-based meals are balanced for carbs, fat and protein including grilled meat and fish with vegetables
I’d never previously eaten enough protein as I didn’t understand its importance when it comes to helping build muscle and keeping you full. Now I eat 150g a day.
This way I’m never hungry which is good because that’s when you make bad choices. It’s very rare now that I crave an unhealthy snack because eating this way keeps my blood sugar consistent.
4. Tuck into a ‘treat‘ meal
Once a week I’ll have a ‘treat’ meal. It’s usually a Saturday night and for me a favourite dish is beef tenderloin with oven baked fries.
I don’t avoid restaurants either. I love to be sociable and eat out about twice a week, and could never stick to a plan that didn’t make allowances for that.
If I know I am going to eat out then I’ll usually combine and reduce my smaller meals earlier in the day, which gives me more flexibility. If possible I check restaurant menus beforehand to be sure there are healthy choices available. I usually choose a grilled protein with vegetables.
5. I show off my body
I worked hard to get this body and I’m not going to hide it away!
I never used to wear crop tops because I was embarrassed about my flabby middle that I used to call ‘my personal bakery’ because there were rolls and rolls. Now I wear crop tops to show off my abs as well as shorts and feel very comfortable in a thong bikini on the beach.
Now that Jodi feels proud of her appearance, she plans to compete in physique competitions. ‘I worked hard to get this body and I’m not going to hide it away!’ she writes
I’ve also undergone a tummy tuck and a breast lift to remove the loose skin left behind from my weight loss that no amount of diet and exercise could change. The results further boosted my confidence.
My next step is to compete in physique competitions, something I simply never could have imagined five years ago!
As told to Claudia Connell
