Lost 50kg and 132.5cm.

My weight has fluctuated over the years. I played sports in school but I was still the bigger girl. Over the years I had some bad relationships and I learnt to make fun of myself before anyone else did.

There were things I wanted to do but I said no just in case my weight made me stuff up and I stood out. I’d say it didn’t interest me or I was fine sitting on the sidelines, I was more of a back seat person than in the front seat. And that was my life, taking up the back seat. I was holding myself back.

Over the years I tried a few different programs and I did lose some weight but of course I found it again plus his friends. The stares, points and laughs didn’t give me the incentive it just made me more depressed and angry. You know you’re trying but no-one else did.

Fast forward to October 2014 and my sister took a pic of me and posted it on Facebook. I didn’t know she had taken it until then. I usually bolted if I saw anyone about to take a photo of me. I wasn’t a happy person for a long time and I found smiling hard to do.

I knew I was a big person but the photo showed me as much bigger. I couldn’t stop looking at it even though it made me sad. I had to do something, so I Googled and tried new things and by early 2015 I’d lost just under 8kg. Then a friend said something hurtful to me and no matter what I did the weight stuck like glue.

It was around this time that I started hearing about Healthy Inspirations. Their guarantee to lose weight was appealing but being only on a limited income held me back.

The push to join came when I saw a guy nudge his mate and say “She’s a big girl”. His friend turned to look at me: I was only 6 feet away but I pretended that I hadn’t heard or seen him. I rang Healthy Inspirations the next day and booked in. I haven’t looked back.

I’ve been so determined to lose weight it’s surprised me. I find the program easy and there’s been a few times I’ve sat in my car and cried happy tears because of how far I’ve come in a short space of time. I’ve changed on the outside and the inside as well. I think differently now. I don’t put myself down, I’m not angry like I used to be and I guess if I do it enough I’ll get the hang of this smiling caper.

Healthy Inspirations has given me back my life. I am happy and life is good.