'How I saved $20K by moving to a meal plan'

The results speak for themselves

When Belinda Sanders tipped the scales at 105kg, she knew it was time to take action. Image: Supplied.

When Belinda Sanders tipped the scales at 105kg, she knew it was time to take action. What started out as a scheduled gastric sleeve op turned into a tasty and nutritious journey - and $20k saved in the process.

Belinda Sanders thought gastric sleeve surgery would finally help her shed the kilos she'd accumulated after having children and caring for her disabled sister.

"I began withdrawing from friends and social events, I didn't want to be seen in public. I couldn't find clothes I liked or felt comfortable wearing," Belinda tells Body+Soul.

"I loathed my reflection in the mirror, I couldn’t cross my legs comfortably; I always felt hot and sweaty. I didn't like seeing myself in group photos and tried to avoid them at all costs."

The Sydney mum was required to shed some weight prior to the surgery. The diet consisted of shakes, soups and salad only, but when it left her "starving" she turned to Lite n' Easy. 

The results? An incredible 35kg weight loss and an additional $20,000 in the bank by skipping the surgery.

She also hit her goal weight within 15 months and hasn't wavered for two and a half years.

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'I simply couldn't starve myself any longer'

"I continued with the pre-operative diet until I simply couldn't starve myself any longer," she says.

"I moved onto Lite n' Easy and have not looked back! They take care of it all, from portion sizes to nutritious and delicious options and a wide variety of choices," Belinda explains.

The journey was easier than she'd imagined. "I was positive and knew I had to dive in entirely as it was no longer an option for me to dismiss how I felt. I was very unhappy in my own skin and I no longer wanted to accept that it was OK."

Before and after: "I began withdrawing from friends and social events, I didn't want to be seen in public. I couldn't find clothes I liked or felt comfortable wearing," Belinda tells Body+Soul. Image: Suppled.

Belinda's 'no bullsh*t' policy

Along with her meal plan, she adopted a no bullsh*t policy for her own mental health.

"I had to learn not to lie to myself or make excuses. I had to call myself out if I did. We all do it. Like, 'I'm too busy to walk to the shops' and 'I'll just have this one treat and start again tomorrow'."

She says, "Identifying when you do it and calling yourself out on it brings about a new found inner strength and is what has been one of the reasons as to why I have been able to remain focussed and stable on my continued journey."

Belinda lost 35kg, and has kept it off for 2.5 years. Image: Suppled.

Belinda's day on a plate

Breakfast: eggs Benedict and one coffee.

Snacks: muesli bar and an orange.

Lunch: a delicious salad, soup or burger.

Snacks: cheese and crackers, and an apple.

Dinner: macaroni and cheese.

Drinks: two to three litres of water.

"I had to learn not to lie to myself or make excuses." Image: Supplied.

Exercise

"I have learnt to turn my habits around and focus on my health and wellbeing. I admit, I tried the gym and bootcamps but they weren't for me. I can't bring myself to do either," she says.

Now, Belinda simply walks everywhere - another way she's saved cash. "It's not uncommon for me to walk between 30 and 50km each week. I walk to the shops for my groceries every time."

She also incentivises herself through teeing up social arrangements. "Instead of weekly, I shop every second day to lessen the load on the walk. I walk with friends regularly most days, and when running little errands – I walk. I opt for the legs before the wheels. This transformation of habits, hand in hand with my revised dietary intake has definitely been positive in all respects. 

Belinda says she also participates in Sydney's annual City2Surf with her two sons.

For those wanting to achieve results that stick, Belinda says, "Start with small changes and let Lite n’ Easy look after the menu! 

"It has to be a case of ‘ALL IN’ because if 'nothing changes, nothing changes'."

Originally published as 'How I saved $20K by moving to a meal plan'