Diary of a body makeover: The journey has just begun

The old favourites fit again!

Two months on from starting clinical nutritionist Sonja Gardiner's Reset programme, I thought it was about time to revisit the goals I'd set for myself at the beginning.

Initially I just wanted to fit back into my favourite size 12 Max jeans, but after a goal-setting session where Sonja helped me drill down into things a little deeper, I realised there was more to this journey than just the jeans.

I wanted to slim down, address my stress levels and do something about the sluggish feeling that plagued me. I wanted to reclaim the woman who inhabited those jeans ... the one who had more energy, was more confident and sassy.

With Sonja's help to shake up my diet, I now eat foods that my body thrives on. We've established that refined, processed carbs upset my tummy (and seriously mess with my blood sugar levels) so I don't eat them. As a result I no longer suffer from digestion issues or bloating.

My meals are nutritious and satisfying. My pantry has had an overhaul and now features the likes of pumpkin and sunflower seeds, cacao powder and cacao nibs, coconut oil, ground linseed, avocado oil, brazil nuts and almonds - much of it organic. I have a better understanding of food labels and I probably piss people off at the supermarket now when I spend ages reading them all.

I've all but ditched wine apart from the odd glass or two at social gatherings. Instead, I'll have a couple of gins with sparkling water, loads of ice and lemon.

I don't miss sugary foods, processed foods or caffeine. If anything, I crave whole, unprocessed, clean foods. I never feel hungry and yet I'm losing weight.

I used to get ouchy, hormone-related zits around my chin area. They're gone. My skin is clear and glowing.

I have more energy than I can remember having in a long time. I've lost almost 20cm from around my body (taking into account losses off my upper arm, waist, hips and thigh) and about 12kg since the beginning of the year - about 8 of which has come off during the time I've worked with Sonja.

I can do my Max jeans up. They're a little snug for my liking but give it another couple of months and they'll fit like they should.

My stress levels can sometimes still be higher than they should be, but I'll cover that off in next week's column.

This has been the beginning of a journey. It's not a quick fix. Alongside unrushed weight loss (meaning no saggy skin afterwards and the weight is more likely to stay off!) has been meaningful nutrition education, understanding what my body needs and what it doesn't.

I have a way to go yet before I reach a size and weight that is right for my body shape and height. But this journey is one I'm enjoying immensely and it's been interesting along the way.

I've gotten rid of clothes that are now too big for me and have relished fitting back into clothes I haven't worn for the past 18 months or so.

Eventually they'll go too and I'll have to buy new threads. That will be a nice reward for effort I've put in (although it hasn't much felt like an effort), but I'm already revelling in the real reward: having reclaimed radiant health.

Sonja Gardiner is a Hamilton clinical nutritionist on a mission to bring health, wholeness and happiness back into people's lives. For more information see www.sonjagardiner.com