Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am losing weight for me and of course because I support the Farm Animal Sanctuary. The animals at the Sanctuary are there because they have been abused, neglected, starved, beaten and abandoned. The sanctuary was the first of its kind set up 25 years ago by the legend that is Jan Taylor. Her compassion and innate instinct of understanding how animals behave and feel is reflected in the behaviour of every farm animal she adopts. Over 500 animals live at the Sanctuary in peaceful calm and tranquillity and their behaviour is extraordinary. I have never seen animals so relaxed and beautiful. Jan says it is because animals are born to live..not born to be bred for meat and killed when they are only a few months old...we can forget that these are sentient, living, feeling and loving creatures who do not want to die. Farm animals receive some of the worst treatment of any animal.  I know people will always eat meat but surely we should show as much compassion and kindness to animals as we can. 

TFAS need help NOW! Unfortunately about 2 years ago Jan was faced with eviction because the owner of the property wanted to sell the farm. The battle to save the farm was costly, took hours of legal fighting, huge solicitors bills and has left the Sanctuary in need of help, money and resources. The Sanctuary is now safe but they are in recovery and  nursing some very deep financial wounds. They desperately need sponsors, fund raisers, volunteers and donations to help them maintain the farm and keep the animals fed and warm. If you can help in anyway please email me davies22@xln.co.uk or phone me 07539 880 641.

About my weight loss. I started my weight loss around March 2015. I weighed in at 17stone 8lbs. My top weight a month before this was 17stone 12lbs. I could barely stand for longer than 5 minutes before my hips began to ache. Clothes were an impossible fit and I felt self conscious.  I have always liked the idea of long rambling walks but I could barely manage a few hundred yards without my back aching. I loved eating junk and would secretly eat bad food. Driving home from work I would make a special effort to buy a packet of crisps or two. I obsessed about being hungry and worried that my plate was not full. I would eat and then an hour later eat some more. I knew that I needed help....I had tried diets and although some weight came off my attitude towards food and exercise never changed so it all piled back on again with an extra topping. I had reached a point where I knew something had to change otherwise I would end up in a wheelchair and my life would be miserable and shortened.  I searched the internet for help and found Phoenix Gym in Evesham. After speaking with Jess Hyde (my trainer) a date was arranged to come to the gym for an assessment. I dreaded the thought of going to a gym....the effort..the pain and the embarrassment. Jess exercised me on the treadmill and I began to get very upset - I stopped and held back the tears. All I was doing was walking but it was so hard and I could barely breath. I realised that I had done this to myself and I had made the choice to become overweight and unfit...so surely I could make a choice to become fit and healthy - couldn't I? There were days when I almost gave up and I had a few weeks where I “went off the rails” reverting to old habits. The difference this time was that I recognised what I was doing. I had a long term goal and I had Jess to tell me to get back on track. Without the support that I got from Jess I would not have lost my first 3 stone...and I wouldn’t be thinking about the next 3 stone! 

Food is a case of eating lots of healthy food. I eat 5 times a day and make three of them my main meals and 2 are snacks. I snack on a protein and a slow release carb and meals are always 50% veg, 25% protein and 25% starchy carbs. On days when I don't go to the gym I keep my starchy carbs to a minimum towards the evening. I have the odd treat and if I go out for a meal and eat the wrong food it really doesn't matter because I know that I will go back to eating the right foods the following day. It is a life style choice - a change of habit, routine and attitude. The thing is there is no quick fix and it isn't easy. I hadto be determined and find motivation...but something the gym tells you is that "the body achieves what the mind believes". I totally agree!

I don't ache nowdays because of standing for 5 minutes..I ache because Jess loves DOMS! I dont secret eat anymore because I dont want to be large and overweight. I have the odd treat and 80% of the time its easy but when I have a bad day or feel a bit fed up with it then a session down the Gym with Jess normally helps. She always says..lets get on with it and you will feel better afterwards for doing it...I hate it when she’s right!

After I have lost another 3 stone, I will weigh 11stone 7lbs, I might aim for another stone but we shall see how things are when I get there.....I am doing this because I want too and  sponsoring me is not a gimmick...its just seemed like a great idea to raise money for my charity...I’ll lose weight regardless but if I can  support a good cause and help abused farm animals then it makes it even better....

Please support me by donating anything you can afford....it’s a total of 42 lbs!

Please also visit www,thefarmanimalsanctuary.co.uk

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