“It’s absolutely changed our lives” – Chris and Lindsay lost 6 stone in 6 months
Chris and Lindsay, a pilot and cabin crew member, met later in life, indulging in rich food and wine until they reached their heaviest weight, leaving their confidence feeling less than sky-high. Taking action together by signing up to The Fast 800 Programme, they soon shed a combined 6st (38kg) in six months and said goodbye to an array of health issues that were holding them back.
Watching the scales increase
Chris and Lindsay spent the early days of their relationship indulging in wine and rich food. They stopped prioritising their health and became complacent with their food choices.
This was only exacerbated by the pandemic and job changes; Chris took on a new role and got his weekends back, meaning more time spent with family but also, more time was spent eating out. They were finding themselves always hungry despite eating large meals, as well as having little energy, suffering from poor sleep quality and Chris had joint pain from inflammation.
Sitting in a hot tub in Cornwall, the pair saw what these choices had done to their bodies and decided enough was enough…
Time to make a change
With Chris’ background in sports science, he decided to do some research and found The Fast 800. With strong determination, Chris signed up to the Programme and the couple decided to follow the lifestyle together.
Though they found the first few weeks challenging, going from excessive eating to 800 calories per day, they didn’t let this stop them. They found ways of adapting and making it work for them, including opting for time-restricted eating (TRE) by cutting down to two larger meals a day rather than three smaller ones. Three weeks in, they found that they were no longer hungry and watched as the pounds slipped away.
If you want to see what you can achieve in just 12 short weeks, sign up for your 7-day free trial of The Fast 800 Programme today.
START YOUR FREE TRIALThe couple found the lifestyle increasingly easier to follow spurred on by impressive weight loss results. In the first 12 weeks, Chris lost a whopping 2.5st, going down from a 36 to a 32 inch waist, and Linsday wasn’t far behind having lost 2st, going from 11st to 9st in a matter of weeks. While they were averaging around 4 lbs of weight loss each week, they were conscious not to lose their muscle mass, so they began introducing weights-based workouts into their routines and they couldn’t have been more surprised by what happened.
As a result of the newfound energy the couple had, they soon became self-proclaimed gym addicts.
My waist, my arms, my legs all feel so much tighter and more toned. I can proudly say that I’ve now got a six pack, which is something I didn’t ever think I’d hear myself say!
Where are they now?
Having started The Fast 800 Programme in February 2023, Lindsay and Chris had reached their goal weights by early that summer. At this point, they pivoted to a more relaxed approach, The New 5:2 diet, which allowed them to introduce some balanced treats back into their lifestyles. Drinking and indulging moderately alongside their new active lifestyle and intermittent fasting allowed them to keep up their hard-earned results while enjoying the flexibility the programme allowed.
They’ve found the education they received from the Programme provided them the tools to apply in wider situations beyond their day-to-day routine. Gone are the days in Cornwall of being critical of their bodies, as they now exercise and opt for healthy fats, lean proteins and salads on holidays knowing they don’t need carbs when lying on sun beds all day.
Following the Programme together enabled them to support and motivate each other, holding themselves accountable for their choices. Their energy levels are now through the roof, their clothes fit better and Chris has finally shed the nickname ‘Big Chris’ at work. The pair can now continue to thrive in their lives together alongside their young daughter and they aren’t looking back anytime soon.
If you want to see what you can achieve in just 12 short weeks, sign up for your 7-day free trial of The Fast 800 Programme today.
We’ve found that once you’ve reached your ideal weight, you can adapt the programme within reason, to suit your lifestyle. I think that’s the reason why we’ve managed to maintain a healthy lifestyle for so long; because it’s so flexible.
Q&A with Chris and Lindsay
Were there any times you found the lifestyle change challenging?
Lindsay: “I must admit, the first 12 weeks were a bit of a struggle because we were limited to 800 calories each per day and, due to our busy schedules, we found all of the planning and food preparation quite time-consuming. There was an option on the programme for consuming two meals a day, instead of three [which] cut down the meal preparation so we both found it much easier.”
Did you experience any unexpected health improvements after following the programme?
Chris: “In February 2023, I weighed 17 stone 4Ibs and I felt like a big blob. I didn’t like myself at all. I had tendonitis in my elbow and osteoarthritis in my knee, my back used to ache all the time and I had arthritis in my left hip. I have also suffered with mild eczema all my life and I’ve used steroidal cream twice a day for over 40 years. Since following the programme, my eczema has totally disappeared [and] after six weeks I noticed that the aches all started to go away.”
How did you find using The Fast 800 Programme app?
Lindsay: “The app holds you accountable. We found it handy and used the shopping lists for all of the recipes. I would look at the app before leaving work and think about whether I had all the ingredients I needed and if not, I’d pop into the shop on the way home. Whilst you’re looking at the app, an article might pop up and then it gives you a two-minute read of an educational feature, and that keeps you very focused on the lifestyle.”