Nicola Denniser loses to win
IT project manager makes weight-loss breakthrough after wake-up call
Published:Wednesday | October 6, 2021 | 12:08 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
‘I want to feel well’ was the statement that went to the top of the wish list for Information Technology Project Manager Nicola Denniser. The professional, who learnt the true meaning of losing in order to win, has dropped over 60 pounds and counting in the space of almost a year.
“I have a lot to go,” she humbly told Lifestyle, sporting a much leaner look. Denniser struggled with fluctuating weight for years, but with no health complications ever present on her check-ups, she never had cause for concern. All of that changed when her general practitioner of over a decade told her that she had developed high blood pressure. “My pressure was too high, and that was a big alarm for me. I was placed on blood pressure pills, and I felt old,” she said candidly, explaining further that the health issue runs in her family, but only affects the senior members.
Denniser had jumped on this weight-loss train before, but this time was different. She started exercising, and was often one of the first persons climbing Mountain Springs in the mornings. But the stress eater also confessed to maintaining her eating habits of grabbing comfort foods in the heat of the moment. She had, however, dropped a considerable amount of pounds, so she returned to the doctor, hoping she would be better. He honestly said that even though he was happy with her progress, it just wasn’t enough; she needed to do more. That sparked a surreal engagement with the mind-body complex and awakened her new approach to health.
Enlisting the expertise of Dave Walters, a personal trainer who is based in London, Denniser went through a series of steps to reach and surpass her health goals. She had already received help from different local trainers in the past, but none had ever taken the approach Walter did with his client.
“The question posed from early was ‘how do you see yourself?’ That’s where the conversation started. He also asked what my lifestyle was like, and I thought that was different. I sent all the crap that I was eating, and we went through that step by step, [and spoke about] what it was doing to my body,” she revealed. If she had a question, he was there to answer. For example, she brought up the idea of intermittent fasting, since it had worked for so many around her. He responded by stating that she doesn’t have to go to that extreme.
Together, they applied the ‘how, when, and what’ strategy to eating and exercise: how she should consume and burn fat; when is the best time for the two to align; and what should be done, instead of what shouldn’t. She gave it a try and starting out slowly, building momentum, strength and resilience. “I got a greater appreciation this time around, because these one-on-one virtual sessions worked for me. They’re not only personal, but they’re tailored to my needs,” she added.
CHANGE IN ROUTINE
Given breakfast, lunch and dinner plans with her programme, she also receives targeted workouts that don’t go beyond 15 repetitions per round. Workout sessions commenced with three consecutive days, and two days off, then they picked up the pace as she progressed. She has also changed her routine.
“I used to be a night-time exerciser. But I now work out in the mornings because it kick-starts your metabolism for your day. Getting up and getting out on a treadmill as early as 6:30 a.m. has been a life-altering experience for me. It’s bigger than the meal prep or times to eat. It’s a huge effort,” she revealed.
Other challenges include taking the excess fat off meat, blocking out scheduled time to eat, and figuring out what does and doesn’t work for her body. An introduction to a favourite, yoghurt, caused her to gain weight because of its frequent intake. And new health food alerts like oats, which she once detested, is now prepped the night before, the way she likes it, giving her no excuse for not having breakfast on time.
She even learnt to say no to family and friends when they offered her food, and avoids drinking, since that packs on calories. Even so, gatherings still stood as the true test of temptation. When it was brought up in discussion, Walters advised that she bring her own food and eat it in the car while others binged at the dinner table. Denniser found that suggestion to be impossible at first, but she tried it and was pleasantly surprised when no one missed her.
Now that she is down by over 60 pounds, she hopes to continue on this same remarkable path and lose even more pounds.
It’s vital to note that her weight loss is 100 per cent natural, fuelled by patience and persistence. Grateful for the support of her loved ones, the 46-year-old has since checked up with the doctor, and she’s happy to report that her blood pressure has gone down significantly. She is hoping for a clean bill of health in her upcoming visit.
Her advice to those struggling to lose weight; you have to be intentional with your goals. “It’s no longer spontaneous; even binges are a planned process now. There were times I had chocolate, but for the most part, discipline is key. It’s a lot of structure, and it takes support. I’m not perfect. I learn to haul and pull myself up. And it’s not easy, but it’s not impossible,” she said, adding that it’s worth it.