Busy mum-of-two invents her own ‘super easy’ traffic light system to shed staggering 10st in 10 months
A MUM whose busy schedule left her relying on takeaways lost a staggering 10 stone in 10 months.
She maintains her slinky size 12 figure by using an easy “traffic light system” of her own invention.
Deb Harm, 57, piled on the pounds as years of working long days followed by fast-food dinners took their toll.
She found herself too busy to eat during the day and “starving” by dinner time, reaching for stodgy takeaways as the “easiest option”.
On the evenings when she would cook from scratch, Deb found herself snacking on crisps and buttered bread whilst in the kitchen.
Despite noticing her growing size, the busy mum found it easier to “just buy bigger clothes” and by December 2022, was tipping the scales at 20st 7lbs and a dress size 26.
But Deb, a tyre garage owner, finally vowed to banish her unhealthy diet in February 2023 and joined a weight loss program, Lighter Life.
After sticking to it she had lost three stone in three months and by the end of 2023, she was down 10 stone in total.
Deb now weighs an incredible 10st 5lbs and is a svelte dress size 12.
To maintain her weight she uses a ”traffic light system” to designate types of foods she can have on different days of the week.
The mum-of-two, from Prudhoe, Northumberland, said: “I have a traffic light system.
“Monday to Thursday are strict ‘red’ days where I avoid carbs and fats.
“Friday, Saturday and Sunday are ‘amber’ days where I can be more lenient.
“And special occasions like birthdays are ‘green’ and I let myself go.
“My friends and family have been so supportive and understanding, they’ll make plans with me around my traffic light system so I’m not always sat there with a black coffee.
”I’m happy with my weight so it’s all about maintaining it.”
Health ‘on the back burner’
After welcoming her first child in 1993, with her husband, Greg Harm, 56, who she owns the tyre garage with, Deb found her weight creeping up.
Becoming a mum again in 1996 and going back to work part-time three years later, she put her health “on the back burner”.
“I’ve never felt the need to diet,” Deb said.
“The weight crept on over the last 30 years since being a mum and then going back to work.
”But it was just easier to buy bigger clothes because they’re more forgiving.
How the 'traffic light system' works
Deb parses up the week into 'red', 'amber' and 'green' days.
It helps her focus on eating healthy for specific days each week.
On ‘red’ days, she’ll make a point of avoiding carbs and fats.
‘Amber’ days mean she can be more lenient with her food choices.
She reserves ‘green’ for special occasions like birthdays – these are the days Deb lets herself go and there are no food restrictions whatsoever.
Here’s what Deb’s week typically looks like.
- Monday: Red
- Tuesday: Red
- Wednesday: Red
- Thursday: Red
- Friday: Amber
- Saturday: Amber
- Sunday: Amber
But she’ll switch a day out for ‘green if it’s a special occasion.
“I didn’t realise that my weight was creeping up and up as much as it was.
“I wasn’t a comfort eater, it was more about what I could get my hands on quickly.
“Being out of the house at 6.30 am, it was too early to eat.
“Busy garage life meant I would mean I couldn’t eat until dinner time and by then I was starving.
“I always wanted stodgy food that was going to fill me up like a Chinese takeaway or pizza- we’d have it at least three times a week.
“I’d snack on crisps or bread and butter if I had the energy to cook.”
‘The weight fell off me’
Deb’s lifestyle changed for the better when a friend recommended the weight loss programme, Lighter Life that left her thinking she could do it too.
Enrolling in February 2023, Deb switched her carb-laden takeaways to Lighter Life porridge, soups and meals.
“The weight fell off me and I’d never go back to my old ways.
“Customers at work can’t believe it’s me- especially if they haven’t come in for a tyre check-up for a couple of months!”
Deb found it easier to stave off snacking as the meals were set out for her advance.
She said: “The best thing is that it fitted into my schedule perfectly.
“Even my tastebuds have changed because I love eating salads now.”
How to lose weight safely
Losing weight should be a long-term commitment to healthier living, rather than any drastic measures.
The NHS tips – which can be adopted slowly – include:
- Get active for 150 minutes a week – you can break this up into shorter sessions
- Aim to get your 5 A Day – 80g of fresh, canned or frozen fruit or vegetables count as 1 portion
- Aim to lose 1 to 2lbs, or 0.5 to 1kg, a week
- Read food labels – products with more green colour coding than amber and red are often a healthier option
- Swap sugary drinks for water – if you do not like the taste, add slices of lemon or lime for flavour
- Cut down on food that’s high in sugar and fat – start by swapping sugary cereal for wholegrain alternatives
- Share your weight loss plan with someone you trust – they can help motivate you when you have a bad day
Read about:
- The five fat loss foundations
- The calorie formula for weight loss
- The perfect portion sizes for meals to lose weight
- Sun Health’s 8-week weight loss kick start plan
Deb now relishes the ease of getting dressed and has even noticed that her back hurts less.
“I can now wear whatever I want- I’ve had to get a new wardrobe to my husband’s delight.
“I enjoy wearing dresses and going into any shop knowing they’ll have my size.
“My back pain has reduced and I can potter around in my garden.
“The endless support from Greg and my friends has meant the world.
“I’ve just become a grandma and I can’t wait to be hands-on in every way.”