Heather Samson and Clare Archer, from Club Kingswood in Basildon, will be helping us live healthier lifestyles. This week Gill Millane tells how she lost the weight she piled on after retirement. Gill, 50, from Basildon, went from a size 12 to 14 to a size ten through a healthy diet and exercise. Gill says: “I used to work as a florist and so I was always on my feet all day long. When I retired I wasn’t so active and I found I started to put on weight and gained about a stone in all. My clothes were tight and I didn’t feel like myself. “My mum was diagnosed with diabetes at 70 and my granddad also had diabetes and so I also wanted to do what I could to be healthier. “When I first joined the gym I would go every now and then but I was not fully committed. Then I did the ingwood’s ‘body blitz’ programme and it transformed my eating and exercise habits. “I trained with the personal trainer Ben Vincent three times a week and the diet plan gave me the tools to eating well and being healthy. Once I knew, it was easy. Now I follow the same rules of cutting out processed foods and training regular.” Heather says: “Gill has trained with personal trainer Ben for some time and it has completely transformed her physique as well as improving her fitness levels considerably. “Gill used to attend to go to a gym before training at the club, but lacked motivation and as a result she wasn’t really improving her shape or level of fitness. “Ben established Gill’s specific goals and she was really determined to reach them. We designed a weekly training plan consisting of Personal Training sessions with Ben, mixed up with some group exercise classes including Spinning and Kettlebells which she really enjoys. “Consistency and variety is key when designing a fitness program and to find activities that you enjoy, ensuring real and lasting results.” Clare says: “Gill’s new diet is varied to keep her interested, focusing on eating whole foods, cutting out all processed foods, caffeine, wheat and gluten, with plenty of seasonal vegetables and fruit. “This has resulted in a slimmer, more toned body shape, increased energy levels as well as improving her general overall feeling of well being. This diet can be followed long term and allows for treats and includes options for eating out. “By increasing the amount of resistance training Gill was doing her body has became much more efficient at fat burning with a higher percentage of muscle mass and decrease in body fat. “She has lost a total of a stone and a half, with her body fat percentage dropping a huge 6.2 per cent. Gills muscle mass increased by 4.2 per cent which is a great achievement. “Her body shape has changed considerably with an inch loss of 12 inches over her body. Gill’s achievement is based on an interesting yet extremely effective training programme, coupled with a healthier diet and she is determined to build upon her success.”