New Year's motivation leads to success: Andreas' success story
After her pregnancy, Andrea found it difficult to lose the extra weight. When she could no longer fit into any of her pants by New Year's, she decided to give SHEKO Balance Shakes a try . She was immediately impressed and managed to feel comfortable in her own skin again. Here she tells us how she showed those extra pounds who was in charge.
from Paulina
From trouser size 46 to 38
You've lost 20 kilograms in the past few months. Congratulations! Had you wanted to lose weight for a long time?
"To be honest, I've had a 'classic diet career'. I've been overweight since my teens and have tried to lose weight on and off. It worked quite well in my early twenties. I ate a low-carb diet for years . But unfortunately, I couldn't maintain my weight in the long run. When I got pregnant in my early thirties , I gained weight again – but couldn't lose it again afterwards. Giving up carbohydrates simply didn't work for me in my new life situation with a baby and a toddler ."
So where did the motivation come from, especially now?
"I had a real eye-opener on New Year's Day: I wanted to wear a pair of pants I hadn't worn in a while – and they just didn't fit anymore. Even though they have a lot of stretch and had always fit me before. At that moment, I just thought: Okay, now you HAVE to change something!"
And then you ordered SHEKO?
"Exactly. I saw the shakes on Instagram, then read the many enthusiastic comments in the Facebook group , and the next moment I ordered my first two tubs . Luckily, they were delivered just two days later , and I could get started right away. That was incredibly helpful because my motivation was still super fresh."
"The shake tastes like a delicious iced coffee – with the difference that I can drink it with a clear conscience."
For Andrea, SHEKO is the first shake she's tried for weight loss. She was immediately impressed by its great taste and easy preparation . Her favorite flavor: coffee . To make starting your SHEKO journey as easy as possible for everyone, we've put together a monthly box containing 14 samples of many different flavors. This way, you can try them all and find your own favorite. Because it's important to us that you enjoy your SHEKO journey. The box also includes a shake container of your choice, a shaker , our weight loss program , and our book "Balance Begins With You," which we wrote ourselves. In it, we explain how you can celebrate your success with SHEKO right from the start, give you recipe ideas , and offer a personalized nutrition plan for you to fill out yourself.
Andrea relies on SHEKO and Volume Food
You were a complete newbie to the shake method. How did the transition go for you?
"I don't think it could have been any easier. I didn't have to change anything about my daily routine. The only thing I did differently, and still do, is that when I go to the canteen with my colleagues at lunchtime , I no longer order a meal, but bring my own shake. So I still sit together with everyone and have a delicious, sociable break."
That means you replace your lunch with SHEKO. What about breakfast and dinner?
"I've never eaten breakfast. That's how it's stayed. In the evening Then I cook a balanced meal with my husband and daughter . We eat lots of vegetables, meat occasionally, and above all, fresh food. We don't deprive ourselves of anything. There are no 'forbidden foods'. We simply make sure that we usually cook with a focus on calories. For example, I've discovered 'volume foods' for myself. These are foods that have a large volume but few calories.
Instead of focusing on small portions like many diets, the volume diet allows you to fill your plate quite a bit. For example, with a delicious vegetable stir-fry of zucchini, bell peppers, kohlrabi, spinach, and a few beans. Or for a refreshing meal, try watermelon, fresh mint leaves, and some cottage cheese. The rule of thumb for foods is: the higher the water content, the better. They are therefore all the more suitable for feeling full. The stomach is filled without the body absorbing too many calories .
"That helped me a lot, especially at the beginning. I realized that my stomach was used to large portions. I had to 'teach' it again that it could also be full when I ate in moderation."
Moderation – that's a great keyword. Do you ever have something sweet yourself?
"Sure. I don't really forbid myself anything – especially if it's appropriate for the occasion. If someone 's celebrating their birthday, I'll have a piece of cake. Or if a colleague brings freshly baked cookies to the office, I'll try one too. When we're on vacation, we indulge in the local cuisine. What I don't do anymore, though, is snack while watching TV in the evenings – you know, that unconscious stuffing to relieve the stress of everyday life. I prefer to sit down in peace and enjoy a piece of dark chocolate. And overall, I stay consistent; for example, I take my shakes with me on vacation and stick to my routine. That means anything goes in the evenings."
This is how Andreas' weight developed.
You mentioned earlier that size 46 trousers were too small for you. How are things now?
"Now a size 46 is much too big for me. I just went out last week and bought a completely new pair of trousers. I've already gone down several sizes. I feel really comfortable in a 38/40."
You sound really happy. So you've finally arrived at your ideal self?
"Not quite yet. I still have five kilos to lose. But I'm not stressing about it. I'm already pleased with what I've achieved. In the beginning, the kilos just melted away. Now I also have days or even weeks when my weight stagnates. But I think that's perfectly normal. I'm taking it easy and just continuing as before."
Andrea sums up the SHEKO philosophy perfectly: We also believe that it's healthy to take life lightly.
Losing weight with SHEKO: Andreas' tips
Here's the guide to your very own success story.
In her early twenties, Andrea lost weight with a low-carb diet. Over ten years later, it no longer works. "I don't think there's one 'right' way that works for your whole life. You have to stay open-minded and try new things."
After her "aha" moment, Andrea didn't wait any longer to get started with SHEKO. She finds it important to use that initial motivation to get off to a successful start.
Instead of forbidding herself certain foods, Andrea focuses on those that are low in calories despite their large volume. Snacking is still allowed, though. "And every now and then I also make pasta with cream sauce or fast food. That way, cravings don't even have a chance to build up."
*The amount of weight loss varies from person to person and cannot be guaranteed. Similarly, the weight loss results reported in the SHEKO stories are individual and do not guarantee a corresponding weight loss within the same timeframe. To lose weight, two daily meals must be replaced with SHEKO shakes as part of a calorie-reduced diet.