The Gavin and Stacey star has been very open about her weight loss journey
Ruth Jones, known for her role as Nessa in Gavin and Stacey, has inspired many with her weight loss story. Following an overindulgent holiday in January 2010, Ruth had an epiphany, saying: “I came back from holiday – January 2010 – and we all overdo it on holiday, don’t we? Something just clicked, I felt this is now or never, I wanted to make a positive change for me and I haven’t looked back.”
The talented writer of Stella began altering her eating habits by practicing portion control and keeping an eye on calorie intake rather than sticking to strict diets. This method worked wonders for her, as she noted: “It’s taken me 22 months to lose 4.5 stone. Although I have done loads of diets in my time I have never done it the old-fashioned way: taking in less calories than I was using.”
She targeted a daily calorie intake of 1,250 to 1,500, significantly lower than the average 2,000 for women, and the result was a dramatic drop to a size 12. “Some days are better than others but, if you think about it, there are calorie values on the back of everything – supermarket sandwiches, chocolate bars, everything.”
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Ruth took a steady approach to her weight loss journey, avoiding extreme dieting methods. She slimmed down at her own speed, ensuring a lasting transformation, reports Surrey Live.
Ruth said: “The main thing is that I realised I was going to have to be patient. When diets promise you things like ‘lose a stone in a week’ it’s just not realistic. You have to make a decision that if you’ve got a few stones to lose (seven in my case! ) then it’s going to take time.”
To lose weight in a healthy way, Ruth incorporated a calorie deficit strategy into her routine. This involves monitoring intake and burning more calories than consumed.
Individual calorie requirements can differ based on factors such as body size, genetics, and activity level. The NHS provides general caloric guidelines, stating: “Generally, the recommended daily calorie intake is 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 for men.”