Reaching your goal with ease and style: Nicole's SHEKO story
She lost weight once with a crash diet. But what only increased was frustration. With SHEKO, Nicole has now found a way to shed the pounds while having fun and enjoying herself. She's taking it easy. Read her success story here.
from Paulina
Nicole: Strict diets didn't work.
You've been on a roll for the past six months. Things are going well for you not only at work, but also with your weight loss. That wasn't always the case, was it?
"Let's put it this way: It's not the first time I've lost over ten kilos. I already went on a diet a few years ago where the pounds just melted away. But it wasn't sustainable, nor was it enjoyable."
Oh dear, that sounds like a difficult and frustrating time. What happened back then?
"I discovered a diet that promised extreme success. But it also came with extremely strict rules. I was barely allowed to eat anything for 28 days, and after those four weeks, an equally strict diet plan followed. I was constantly in a bad mood, which affected not only me but my whole family. So I decided to go back to eating normally. It only took a short time before I had gained the weight back. That frustrated me twice as much."
So-called zero-calorie diets lure people with the promise of rapid weight loss. The principle: you consume zero calories and drink only unsweetened tea and water for an extended period. Many disguise this as a form of fasting. However, a zero-calorie diet has little to do with this age-old healing method. Doctors and nutrition experts even advise against it. Why? Even if the weight loss is noticeable on the scale, it's not necessarily fat stores that are melting away. You also lose a lot of water and muscle mass. Furthermore, you slow down your metabolism, making a yo-yo effect all the more likely.
With SHEKO, that doesn't happen. You don't run your body into a complete shutdown. Your metabolism remains stable, and the average 21 grams of protein per shake support muscle maintenance and growth. In addition, 27 vitamins and minerals ensure your body is well-nourished and your fat burning receives natural support.
With SHEKO comes success – and enjoyment
Despite your initial frustration, you still made a second attempt. How did that come about?
"I had my second child in my late 30s. Even though I didn't gain much weight during the pregnancy, those extra kilos just wouldn't come off. Then one day I saw a photo of myself and immediately said: Delete that from the camera right now. I knew I wanted to change something. And I also knew that this time it had to be different."
So how did you find out about SHEKO?
"I first heard about SHEKO on Facebook. What convinced me was the sample box . I thought to myself, 'What could possibly go wrong?' and just ordered one. My package arrived just a few days later and I was thrilled. I especially likedthe coconut andcoffee flavors. The taste and texture are truly unlike anything you'd expect from other shakes."
You then started replacing two meals with SHEKO – your breakfast and lunch. Did you find this change difficult?
"Not at all. SHEKO simply doesn't feel like a diet. I feel like I can approach weight loss in a completely relaxed way and still be successful. For me, weekends are also SHEKO-free weekends. I eat normally then. I've always enjoyed cooking fresh meals. It's just that I don't have much time for it during my busy office life. So, I enjoy my moments of indulgence with the shakes while at work, and on weekends I have fun in the kitchen."
Nicole has now lost 15 kilos*. She never experienced a bad mood during the process. She feels fit and free, loves how simple and practical SHEKO is, and enjoys adding variety to her shaker with the different flavors.
No exercise, but snacks – and it still works.
It seems like you're not stressing at all. What about 'little indulgences'? Do you snack?
"Yes, I snack. But healthily. In the morning, I like to eat a few nuts. I drink my first shake at 7 a.m., and I bridge the time until my midday shake with almonds and the like. In the evening, I like to nibble a little more. Then I make myself cheese chips in the oven, which I season as I like."
And what about you and sports?
"To be honest, I'm not much of a sports fan. My exercise comes from working in our huge garden. Besides, my daughter is very lively and always keeps me on my toes. By the time she goes to bed in the evening, I'm exhausted too. That's when I decide I'm active enough and don't put any more pressure on myself to go to the gym."
Snacks, no exercise. Is that your weight loss secret?
"I think my secret is that I've understood that losing weight takes time. I'll never do a crash diet again. I think long-term now, and I can see that it works. Oh, and maybe the SHEKO fat burner capsules are also part of my secret. I take them from time to time and I love them."
Losing weight with SHEKO: Nicole's tips
The extra pounds that have accumulated over the years won't disappear overnight. Give your body time to become slimmer and fitter again. Set yourself medium- and long-term goals and don't get discouraged if the pounds don't melt away in a week as you had hoped.
Nicole accumulated a lot of frustration during her crash diet. This doesn't help with weight loss at all. On the contrary: stress promotes weight gain. It's not for nothing that we talk about stress belly, comfort eating, and emotional eating.
Whether on weekends or holidays, Nicole likes to take a break – including from the thought that she absolutely has to lose weight. On weekends, she cooks with lots of fresh vegetables and tries to enjoy everything in moderation. And yes, that can sometimes include a piece of chocolate.
* 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.