Instagrammer shares life change that helped her lose five stone

"I have now found a very comfortable place where I am healthy, full of energy and most of all happy and content".

Charlotte Mears has shared her experience of losing five stone on her Instagram account by sharing food diaries and tips on how she motivated herself. The 27-year-old has documented her weight loss and says that after an unhappy cycle of restricting herself and trying "weird diets', she's now happy and healthy.

Fave dinner ?? rocket, tomato with oregano and sea salt, lean bacon, boiled egg and feta ?

A post shared by Charlotte ? (@cm148) on Jun 14, 2017 at 1:12pm PDT

In an Instagram post shared in September, Charlotte explained how important it is to fuel your body with healthy and nutritious food and that constantly restricting yourself and exercising excessively can prove detrimental. She also shared some advice that has served her well and we have to agree that it makes a lot of sense. Describing the following as her 'best tip', Charlotte said:

"The best tip I could give you is focus on having one 'on plan' meal at a time, if you slip up, get back on plan with the next meal and don't deprive yourself to make up for it. Remember that bad food you crave isn't going anywhere, it will still be there later. "Take some time to think about whether you really want it before giving in, because as the time passes you will then be able to refocus on your priorities which for me, was getting healthy and gaining self-control".

Check out the post in full below.

Good morning! ? I am in a very good mood this morning as we are off out to buy birthday presents today! ?I am another year older on Wednesday ? but on another note I have never felt better! I have finally learnt how to treat myself well. I have been overweight, I've restricted myself, I've tried the weirdest diets and been completely lost in what is and isn't healthy but now as I approach the grand old age of 27 ? I have now found a very comfortable place where I am healthy, full of energy and most of all happy and content ☺️ if you're just starting out remember it's not about restriction and excessive exercise, it's about fuelling your body with healthy nutritious foods (real and unprocessed) and getting out in the fresh air and moving your body more. The best tip I could give you is focus on having one 'on plan' meal at a time, if you slip up, get back on plan with the next meal and don't deprive yourself to make up for it. Remember that bad food you crave isn't going anywhere, it will still be there later. Take some time to think about whether you really want it before giving in, because as the time passes you will then be able to refocus on your priorities which for me, was getting healthy and gaining self control. ?

A post shared by Charlotte ? (@cm148) on Sep 16, 2017 at 12:29am PDT

Although this might be Charlotte's 'best' advice, her entire Instagram account is packed with advice and tips that are sure to prove interesting to anyone hoping to get on the healthy train, without denying themselves the things they love. Some of the changes she made included sticking to "plenty of fruit and veg, lots of water, gentle regular exercise and a positive mindset" and in just over a year, she says she lost five stone.

5 stone gone in just over a year ? amazing how it changes your face! My eyes look bigger now! ? plenty of fruit and veg, lots of water, gentle regular exercise and a positive mind set, if you start now, summer is only round the corner ? think of those bikinis ?☀️no better feeling than being comfortable in your own skin! ✨#slimmingworld #slimmingworlduk #weightloss #detox

A post shared by Charlotte ? (@cm148) on Jan 27, 2017 at 11:57pm PST

Charlotte is all about the balance and as we've heard so many times before, a healthy diet is so important which also fits in with the all-important life lesson 'everything in moderation'.

Good morning! From one bikini pic to another ?heaviest on the left at 14st 12lbs to 9st 1lb on the right. Another week on the shred after a few indulgences last weekend ? ready to go and do a HIIT workout ? to torch some fat! This consists of 15 x mins of sprints. 30 secs running at 14kmph...up to 17kmph if you can handle it ? (I would usually only go up to this speed right at the end) and 30 secs rest, you will feel the burn! ? I will then work my way round the weights, lifting as heavy as I safely can, and then finishing with an ab blaster! Diet has been as usual, veggies, green smoothies, chicken, extra lean mince, lean beef, weight watchers wraps ❤️ and courgetti! A new found favourite of mine ? I make my meals tasty by adding lots of fresh ingredients like chillis, spring onions, tomatoes, herbs and spices, fat free yogurts and chopped tomatoes to turn things into curries, just anything I can to make my favourite meals into healthy versions! Happy weekend! #slimmingworld #slimmingworlduk #detox #weightloss #cleaneating #beforeandafter #transformation #extraeasy #fakeaway #bbgprogress #bbgtransformation #protein #healthylife #fitspo #inspo #weightlossjourney #fitfam #squats #slimmingworldjourney #blogger #ootd #bbgcommunity

A post shared by Charlotte ? (@cm148) on Oct 7, 2017 at 2:06am PDT

Main image via Instagram: Charlotte Mears