‘I dropped three dress sizes by eating whatever I liked’

At 43, Careece Squires hadn’t realised how much her weight had crept up on her throughout the years, going through day-to-day life wearing baggy clothes.

“I didn’t realise how big I had got,” Careece, from Higham, Kent, told Express.co.uk.

“I used to hurt and ache all the time at 102kg (16st), which was my starting weight.”

Careece said: “Getting up and out of bed was the worst, snoozing my alarm till the last possible minute and then getting out of bed to feet that would hurt and throb.”

Her sister, who followed the weight loss transformation of It’s So Simple founder Racheal Sacerdoti on Instagram, signed up for the wellness programme online.

Yet, by a turn of fate, she had fallen ill with Covid so she asked Careece to sign up instead.

“I didn’t realise how much I needed this,” said Careece. “It has changed all aspects of my life.”

Careece had a personal coach to provide support and guidance on nutrition and exercise.

The focus of the weight loss programme was to build strength, do cardio and eat well.

“You can eat whatever you like that is within your daily [calorie] intake and fits in with your routine,” beamed Careece.

Guided by a plethora of healthy recipes and exercise guides, Careece found the weight was melting off her.

Careece began following the free NHS Couch to 5k app to hit her cardio goals, and was following It’s So Simple workouts at home, as well as exercises recommended by her coach.

“Within the first few days I was feeling different,” Careece revealed. “I was seeing results quickly.”

Careece said she felt encouraged and supported by her coach who enthused her to stick to the routine of exercise and nutrition.

“I was feeling happier, healthier and lighter,” said Careece. “The weight loss process has been crazy; at the beginning, it was like the weight was melting off.”

Careece began working out with low weights and can now use 10kg dumbbells and 16kg kettlebells.

“I still have not set foot in a gym,” Careece beamed. “I now run 5k three times a week at a time of 30 to 32 mins!”

Shrinking from 16st 6lb to 12st 10lb, Creece shared: “I am really proud of myself.”

Careece added: “I can race my six-year-old when he asks, ‘Mum, I’ll race you to the car.’

“I just feel stronger in every way. I always think I can now, rather than I can’t.”