I have never been really overweight but during the past 12 months my weight started to creep up and after having to buy jeans a size bigger and feeling fat and frumpy, I contacted Jo to help me out. After being weighed and told gently that I was classed as ‘obese’ it was time to revitalise my life!

The revitalise diet was easy to follow and on the way I learnt about portion sizes, drinking more water and the importance of exercise. I realised that although I was eating a reasonable healthy diet I was eating far too much. As the 6 weeks progressed I was feeling so much better and had the energy to go out walking with the dog which helped my weight loss even more leading on to me joining a gym and I even started swimming again.

I found Revitalise very easy to follow as I had all the information that I needed and could refer to and of course I could email or ring Jo if I needed help. The meals were easy to prepare and I found that by being organised by having the ingredients at home I wasn’t tempted to eat the wrong things. My favourite item is the portion plate which I always use to keep a check on how much I am eating.

Revitalise is not a diet; it has changed my whole lifestyle.

For the past four years I have been doing reception and administration work, where I have been restricted to my desk for most of the day. Through times of stress and boredom I would often graze. I rarely ate junk food but did enjoy the odd chocolate for a bit of comfort. I thought because I was eating good food it didn't matter that I ate more than I needed. Plus my exercise had decreased in length and intensity.

With the grazing and less exercise the weight crept on. After a routine check up with my GP I had to go on medication for blood pressure which gave me a bit of a shock. Not only was I overweight but it was affecting my health. My self esteem fluctuated, I hated my weight but hated dieting more. However my goal was to improve my health and reduce the medication I was taking or come off it altogether.

I asked my GP for help she referred me to Jo who encouraged me to try her revitalise program.

I loved the recipes, the food was easy to prepare and delicious plus I never felt hungry. I increased my exercise, the weight started to fall off my energy levels started to rise and I felt great. I received so many compliments.

By following Jo's plan I realised that I was not eating enough during the day and to much at the end of the day. I also increased my water intake.

By week four I had lost enough weight to reduce my medication. With Jo's support and encouragement throughout the six weeks I have made steady progress toward my goal weight. I love the way I feel! I enjoy my food and exercise and I take better care of me.

I have always been a very active person, however my eating and drinking has ensured I have always fluctuated just above the overweight mark. I have tried lots of diets, but with my partner loving to cook, and me loving to eat I could never find a happy medium.

My mum decided to try Revitalise and asked me to do it with her. To be honest, I was doing it more out of support for her, although that changed very quickly. I found the recipes delicious, and never felt deprived!

The online forum and support from Jo kept my motivation high and ensured that even when I did have a small treat I stayed in control. The thing I loved most is that I can still eat out, and enjoy a wine, I am just more aware of my limits. After 6 weeks the weight fell off me and I felt fabulous and loved the comments I was getting from friends and family.

The revitalise program was fantastic. I have a husband and two children under 14 and was very pleased that we could all consume the same evening meal. The meals were delicious and very quick and easy. It took very little time to do the food shopping each week.

Together my husband followed the programme. He was also very impressed, particularly with the snack box. After following Revitalise, I have developed good eating habits that will stay with me for life.

Being part of the Revitalise team means you have to walk the talk! This is clearly that case with marketing guru Tina who recently completed her first women’s triathlon on March 4th. Here is her story and picture to prove it! Keep that weekend free in your diary next year as we will be putting together a team!

“A Work colleague once told me that 40 was the cut off point for “bad habits” and if you continue them after this age, then don’t expect to be fit and healthy in your old age. I was 38 then and my husband jokes “a tri-athlete of drinking, eating and smoking”. That thought spurred me on to change my lifestyle, not just for me but my family too. The last two years have been brilliant for me and my health. I set myself goals and went all out to achieve them, starting with giving up smoking, then to loose weight (thanks to Jo), getting fit, learning to run, Cape to Cape trek, City to Surf and finally the Rosie O’Grady’s Triathlon. The goals I set for myself now don’t have to be huge and each time I reach them it gives me a real sense of achievement and the confidence to go for the next. I’m more energetic and motivated (ask the kids and husband). I love being fit and feeling “lively” much more than I ever enjoyed smoking and I’ll never take my health for granted again. True to the word I am totally ‘revitalised’”.

Whilst I wasn’t carrying a lot of weight it was those last 6 kilos that just felt like they would never shift.
I had tried various other programs but always caved in to my sweet tooth.
My typical day was grab something quick for breakfast, work till after 2 then grab lunch – usually the wrong thing as by this time I was so hungry all willpower was out of the window. Then a very lean meal at night which had me craving and eating sugary foods all night.
Jo’s program helped me combat those sweet times and reduce my portions (which were pretty big especially at the weekend).

At first I really didn’t believe I could eat smaller portions, but I could and I found that in fact in the past I was just eating for the sake of it, I didn’t really need all that food.
The weight came off and I even lost more than I had first hoped. Everyone says how well and refreshed I look. I call it revitalised and I will be doing it for the rest of my life!

When I began Jo’s program I had tried just about every other weight control method. I knew I had to control my weight but no matter the technique I tried, the weight just increased.
I found that when I came home from work I was tired and it was easy to grab a (large) pasta meal. I now find I prepare a quick (smaller) stir fry instead and it is a better option for my weigh control.
The unique grazing box really helped me in the first few weeks to help with my hunger pangs – so I went for a healthy snack that I had already prepared rather than reaching for the sugar fixes.

To help me with weight loss I used nuts and dried fruit for a treat. Breakfast was usually cereal and fruit and yoghurts mid morning and afternoon. I found this replaced the cakes and biscuits I was relying on.

I spent one long weekend in Margaret River during the 6 week program and still managed to have a selection of great meals without putting on weight. I still joined the family with pizza but instead of the thick cheesy version I made seafood and vegetable options with lots of salad to go with it and I shared it rather than eating it all myself!

I also exercised – properly! Not just a short amble but a good brisk walk or swim.
My weight loss was gradual and consistent but it stayed off, in fact I won the prize for doing the best in our group!
The beauty of the program is it re teaches me the best way to eat and what portions to have whilst still being able to go out and enjoy food and some wine!
I really do feel great and was so pleased with my photo at the shoot Jo arranged – a great way to reward yourself.

I would like to sum up my Revitalise experience as the following:

It made me more aware of how to eat the right foods.

It was easy, simple to follow – not lots of fancy foods that you can never find in the supermarket. Just easy pantry ingredients and great quick recipes.

Mix and match – I found I could mix the days around so I didn’t have to follow it to the letter, especially with work functions.

The kids liked it too - the most important thing - I didn’t have to cook separate meals - we all ate the same. I had more energy and felt better – my health was suffering and now it isn’t.

“ I could never have imagined such success. ”

“ It’s my way of life. ”