Mum Who Had to Stop for New Trousers Loses 6st on Britalian Diet
Francesca Bell shed six stone in eight months by enjoying a unique Britalian diet
Francesca Bell, Bakewell, UK, Weight Loss, Britalian Diet, Healthy Eating
Bakewell: So, there’s this amazing story about a mum named Francesca Bell. She was asked if she was pregnant after gaining some weight, and it really hit her hard. But guess what? She lost six stone in just eight months, all while enjoying a diet that mixes British and Italian foods—she calls it the “Britalian Diet.” How cool is that?
Francesca, who’s 41 and a marketing manager, had tried everything to shed those extra pounds. We’re talking fad diets, hypnosis, meal replacement shakes—you name it. But nothing seemed to work for her. At 5ft 4in, she hit her heaviest weight of 95kg (about 14st 13lbs) in 2024, and it was tough. She could barely fit into her clothes, and one of her colleagues even asked if she was expecting a baby during a work conference. Ouch!
After a trip to Italy, she got curious about how Italians eat and move. She dove deep into research, reading articles from places like Harvard and the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It was a game-changer for her.
Francesca set a calorie limit and created some “golden rules” based on Italian eating habits. For example, she learned not to drink milky coffees after 11am and to enjoy a sweet breakfast. And guess what? The weight started to drop off! From May to December 2024, she lost over 6st while still enjoying pizza, pasta, and even wine. Talk about a win-win!
She shared that this journey really kicked off after that trip to Italy. She felt so fed up with her weight that she had to stop and buy new trousers on the way to work. Imagine squeezing into a size 18 and then being asked if you were pregnant! That was a wake-up call for her.
Francesca decided to take control. She booked a family trip to Italy and even planned for professional photos. But when she saw those photos, she realized she needed to make a change. It was like a light bulb went off in her head. She started thinking about how Italians manage to enjoy their food and stay slim.
She set a daily calorie limit of around 1,400, cut back on ultra-processed foods, and focused on bigger meals for lunch and dinner. She also started walking 10,000 steps a day but still enjoyed her wine and desserts. It was all about balance, not deprivation.
By December 2024, Francesca had lost 88lbs (6st 4lbs) and now weighs around 53kg (8st 5lbs). She even wrote a book about her journey and the “Britalian Diet.” She believes that enjoying meals and focusing on quality ingredients is the key to sustainable weight loss. Now, she feels at peace and no longer trapped in that cycle of stress. What an inspiring story!