Success Stories
I can honestly say that the low GL zest4life programme has changed my life!
I wanted to lose some weight but had not expected to feel so very well whilst doing so. In the past I have tried several diets, but never managed to stick with them beyond about two weeks before becoming grumpy, then ill and finally giving up. But Zest4Life is fantastic - I have never eaten so well and had such a variety of food...EVER. The recipes are easy to follow, quick & easy to prepare and actually cost you much less than buying additive-filled prepared foods. And the best bit is that I have lost the excess weight easily and I actually feel better than I have done in maybe the past twenty years. My husband has got his "young" wife back again, my teenage son has discovered an "invigorated" mum he had never seen before and I feel so unbelievably cheerful! I have even encouraged several of my friends to follow the low-GL principles too and they are also losing weight and feeling great. However, they have not had the benefit of being on the Zest4Life lectures with Magalie and I do believe that her help & encouragement plus the interaction with the others in the class have helped enormously. We have learnt so much about nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes as well as dieting - and had such fun while doing so! In fact, I will miss the classes so much that I have already asked Magalie if I can go back for some refresher classes in the future.
Lorraine - Zest4Life group programme.
George lost 1 stone 4lb in 6 weeks and lowered his blood glucose levels
In June of this year I was given the opportunity to join a diet trial programme for zest4life which was taking place at MediClinic in Guildford.
I immediately jumped at the chance for two reasons:
- To lose weight, which is the obvious one
- Most importantly was to improve my health as, for more than 15 years, I have suffered from high blood pressure and more recently diagnosed with emphysema. Of late I have also been told that I am pre-diabetic.
I found the lectures each week to very informative and, with Magalie's expert guidance and patience and the help of my wife, I was able to sort out a menu plan which suited me and worked well. With the exception of the first few days when I was in the infant stages of the diet, I do not feel hungry between meals and I believe that food quantities as indicated by zest4life was more than adequate. I was very determined to achieve the end result and managed to lose 1 stone, 4lb just in the 6 weeks that the programme ran. This equalled to a trouser size drop from 38 to 34.
With the diet, my blood glucose level has decreased to a more acceptable level and I am hoping that diet alone is going to be able to help me avoid having to take medication for diabetes.
This programme has changed my life style to the extent that I have more energy than I have had in a long time and I am feeling so much better. My long term goal is to hopefully reduce the amount of medication that I take.
George, Guidlford.
New research published in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine proves that my Holford Low GL Diet not only achieves successful weight loss, it also boosts energy and mood, and improves digestion and skin condition. The trial charted the progress of 20 people who followed the zest4life programme and took basic supplements (a multivitamin, extra vitamin C and omega 3 and 6 fats) for seven weeks. Four were unable to complete it for personal reasons, leaving 16. The average weight loss they experienced was a highly significant 10.25lbs, equivalent to 1.3lbs per person per week. Body fat percentage dropped by an average of 2%. It's extremely hard for the body to burn more than 1.5lbs of fat a week, so the average weight loss achieved in this trial is close to optimal. One man lost 17.5lbs, while two thirds of participants lost at least 7lbs, but, most importantly, the vast majority felt so much better on this diet. Nearly all (94%) reported greater energy, 67% had greater concentration, memory or alertness, 67% had less indigestion or bloating, clearer and less dry skin, and 50% reported fewer feelings of depression and more stable moods. There was also a significant drop in blood pressure and pulse.
"It's as if someone has given us a magic pill and said you'll have more energy, you'll feel calm and you'll feel less stressed," reports Marianne B, one of the trial's volunteers. "It's worked better than I would have believed. I am full of energy, my skin has improved dramatically, my cholesterol level has dropped by a third in seven weeks and I've lost a stone, especially around my middle." The results from the scientific trial reflect the feedback we've been getting from the thousands of people who've already successfully followed my Holford Low GL Diet. Even diabetics have been able to follow this diet safely - with remarkable results. Diabetic Linda B says: "Now my energy level is incredible. I've lost 16 pounds in six weeks. My blood sugar is well under control and I've been able to halve my medication. It's been so easy. I have no cravings."
Fiona lost 2 stone 3 pounds and feels great!
I was encouraged by a friend of mine to join zest4Life when she succeeded, after many years of trying different diets. I was at an all time low with my weight, I had two children aged two and three and a half, I had put on a lot of weight from the pregnancies and I was continuing to gain weight. So I made a promise to myself that I would lose all the weight I had gained: almost 2 and a half stone. I wasn't sure if I would ever reach my target but I was going to try! The Holford low GL diet is easily understood; best of all it has great recipes which are again really easy to make which is so important when you have 2 young kids. During the zest4life course, the weekly group sessions were encouraging and it was great to meet everyone and discuss the hurdles or achievements of the week gone by. I learnt to cook using delicious foods I had not tried before and so had more choice in what I was eating, not less. I also found it was easy to adapt the diet to suit my life style. I took up Pilates and Squash as I suddenly had energy which I didn't have before. It is surprising how the diet made me feel - I now feel alive with much more energy than I had before and my skin glows. In a period of one month my weight dropped by 8lb and I lost several inches from all over - this was a great feeling so I forged on determined to reach that goal. I have now reached my goal weight have lost 6.5 inches off my waist and 7 inches off my hips which to me was awesome! I feel as alive as I did when I was first married and at Christmas I was able to wear the going away dress that I wore at my wedding, a dress that I thought I would need surgery to get into again! I continue to eat the low GL way as I now know it is the right way to eat and I have introduced it to my family who, surprisingly, are happy to be eating in a healthier way. My two children actually prefer the food, especially the snacks! What more can I say?
Tracey's allergies stopped and she lost over 2 stone and 22 inches
Having finished the zest4life programme, I still go to my circuit training club where they weigh and measure me once a month. On Wednesday they couldn't believe how much weight, inches and body fat I had lost. I am over 2 stone lighter now, have lost 22 inches, my body fat has gone down by 7.47 kg and I can fit into size 10 again, this all from a starting point of 11st 8lbs and size 16!!! I almost can't believe it but the proof is the mirror and scales and also my health.
Thanks for all your support and for educating me in healthier ways of eating. Oh, and I almost forgot, I don't seem to suffer from air born allergies anymore e.g. hayfever and cats and dogs. Because I understand why I suffered so badly, and by cutting out my food allergies, this has had a knock on effect with the way my body deals with the air born ones. Simple really, but I suffered from the age of 17 until 2 months ago. Had I known then it may have had something to do with my eating habits I would have done something about it a long time ago but I had no idea.
Anyway, that's enough of me 'patting my own back' - I will continue to eat this way and have full intentions of dropping in at future sessions for continued support and to learn about other topics."
Sylvia: "I lost over two stone and was amazed how quickly and easily my weight came down while I felt fitter, slept better and had more energy"
Zest4life was introduced to me by my daughter-in-law who had followed the programme to lose weight after two pregnancies. Seeing her look so slim and healthy inspired me to join a course. My (14) fellow classmates were a very mixed bag, young and middle aged women, a married couple and me - the 'O.A.P.' Some members had food intolerances and/or allergies, some were extremely tired or stressed and lacked energy and motivation. Others like me had piled on the pounds and although we had tried various diets over several years we had been unable to lose weight and KEEP IT OFF.
Each week, as we attended the class, we were weighed discreetly. We then had a lecture from our programme director or a visiting expert on different aspects of nutrition, healthcare and weight control, with the main emphasis on a healthy lifestyle. The information was backed by Patrick Holford the well known Nutritionist, TV Personality and Journalist.
We were each given a file in which to keep our records, weekly information sheets and recipes. We were also given weekly notes with extra help over difficult periods such as holidays, Christmas, plus eating out with friends or in restaurants. The visiting lecturers were very interesting and the whole atmosphere was informal, relaxed and friendly. The programme director chaired a question and answer session after each lecture when we could each air our problems, question the lecturer, support each other and set our goals for the week. Most members remarked how their families were also benefiting from the knowledge they were gaining.
There were a range of products available at each class, from a healthy breakfast cereal, various vitamin and mineral supplements to snack bars with a low GL to help us stay on track. We also sampled some low GL foods and snacks. I lost over two stone and was amazed how quickly and easily my weight came down while I felt fitter, slept better and had more energy.
Over 18 months on I am still slim and fit. If I put on a little weight over Christmas, holidays or while staying with friends I know I am in control and can return to normal very quickly.
I walk my dogs for an hour a day, do an advanced Pilates class twice a week, usually with my
daughters-in-law. I swim regularly and have recently started cycling. Not bad for a Grandmother looking forward to her 69th birthday! The Zest4life programme and the knowledge of healthy eating habits it gave me not only helped me to lose weight, but dramatically improved my quality of life.
Tony: "As well as losing almost 2 stone, my health is better: I am reducing my prescription drugs and have been discharged by my hospital consultant. My blood sugar, homocysteine and cholesterol levels are lower. My energy levels are better - I am doing more exercise, sleeping less and not feeling so tired."
Sue lost 2 stone: "This is the first time I have been able to stick to a diet and exercise at the same time as the diet gives me the energy I need to do this. All the nutritional information was fascinating and the personal guidance was invaluable."
Weightloss...Improved energy...Fewer cravings...Better memory...
More stable moods...Fewer feelings of depression...Less indigestion and bloating...Lower cholesterol...Lower homocysteine...
Lower blood pressure...Reduced PMS...Better skin...
