Lost 21kgs and 19.16% of her body weight
Since high school I’ve had additional weight, with fluctuations across the years, but gradually piling on until I was almost 110kg. I was an emotional eater, stress eater, binge eater, there’s (almost) nothing I wouldn’t scarf down at top speed. Any excuse to have a cake, a drink, chocolate…you know the deal. I saw family members struggle with their weight and try every diet known to man, and did not want to be like that, so I just ignored my own weight and ate whatever I wanted.
Then arthritis arrived, and I became less able to do stuff, everyday chores became difficult, and walking my dog almost impossible. In March last year I had a hip replacement and felt so much better mentally and physically. It really changed my life in a great way. I could walk again, I was pain-free, and I realised how much of a toll the pain had taken on me in every way. Not long after I’d recovered from surgery, I saw two things – a photo of me with my sister – I looked terrible, old, fat, a disaster and a post on Facebook by a Healthies member I’d met at a friend’s wedding. She’d lost 8kg in 8 weeks, and I was so taken with her story, and disgusted with my own photo, that I clicked the link to contact Healthy Inspirations and so began my new life!
My first appointment was eye-opening, but I was so inspired by that Facebook post and absolutely determined that I could do this. And the team at Healthies were very supportive and non-judgemental, it was really a pivotal moment.
I stuck diligently to the eating plan, filled in my food journal and attended my weekly nutrition check-in appointments, did the circuit at Healthies, walked and found the weight started to go immediately. My clothes were getting looser, my energy levels increased, people started noticing, and I was so happy! I felt in control and nothing could deter me. My first hurdle was getting under 100kg, then under 90kg, then to 86kg. It was amazing to me that just a few, not-too-hard diet tweaks could make such a difference.
It has been over 12 months now, and while I haven’t yet reached the magical 80kg mark, I’m pretty happy to be hovering around 86-88kg for now. I’m still an emotional eater, I admit to having chocolate about once a week, and the odd drink or two, but I definitely have more willpower and a different mindset. Walking, pilates, breathing, squats while brushing my teeth, and podcasts really help take my mind away from binging the bad stuff.
I’ve learnt a whole new way of shopping, cooking, and eating. Healthies has new recipes each week, and I love to try them out. I’m no longer anxious about taking up space, being a spectacle, or being invisible. I feel ‘normal’ and ready for new adventures!
Some things that have really worked for me are:
- Meal prepping – every weekend I cook 2 or 3 meals (curries, soups, casseroles) and freeze some for the following week. This takes the decision making away during the week and makes eating well very easy.
- Keeping track of what I’m eating – writing it all down really helps me to see where I’m at and explains the losses/gains at my weekly check in. I am not so hardcore these days, I have a few slip ups, but I can see why and understand that those are my choices.
- Self-talk – I try to talk to myself like I would a friend. This is not easy, no one is harder on me than me! But I try to go a bit easier on myself. I’m not trying to impress anyone else; I just want to feel better and be comfortable with myself – which I finally am.