Name : Rachel / Before Weight : 341 / After Weight : 264 / Pounds Lost : 77

I’ve been overweight as long as I can remember. I started to significantly gain weight around the age of 8 and slowly but surely gained more and more weight as the years flew by.

HOW DID YOUR WEIGHT AFFECT ANY ASPECT(S) OF YOUR LIFE?  My weight affected my life in a really big way. From struggling in social situations to wearing jumpers on 40 degree days. I was extremely self conscious, it affected my relationships going into my 20s. I was too unfit to even go for nice walks along the water and too embarrassed to ever get intimate with a partner without being clothed in some way.

What Was The “Turning Point” That Got You Started On Your Weight Loss Journey?

 I would say that I didn’t have a single turning point moment. It was more like a collection of moments. Fearing for my health when hearing stories of diabetics. A relationship with someone I deeply cared for ending because my weight was holding us both back from having the relationship we really wanted. Being worried I’d never be able to have children. Not being able to find nice clothes that fit me. Not being able to walk for short periods of time without feeling sore and exhausted. Eating disorders causing health issues. I had to change.

How Did You Get Started?

 The first thing I did was join a gym. I’m not sure why this was my first move, I think I wanted to do something that scared me. Force myself into discomfort because I hoped it would inspire me to change. It did. I stopped eating take away and eliminated sugary drinks entirely. I spent a lot of time researching, finding weight loss influencers who inspired me. And I promised myself that this wasn’t just a physical change. I needed to get to know myself, become familiar with what lead me here and what I can do going forward to change. Recognizing traumas. I had to be kind to myself but equally firm.

How Long After You Started Did You Begin To See Results Of Your Weight Loss Efforts? 

The scales started to move quickly. Physical differences are still hard for me to see as I’m progressing through this journey. Before and after photos really keep me motivated though.

What Was The Hardest Part? 

I had to work around an eating disorder while trying to lose weight and that has not been an easy task. Having bulimia for several years and using that as my coping mechanism, it was an extremely overwhelming start. I knew I had a lot of mental work to do. I knew this journey wasn’t just about losing weight. It was about healing from the inside out. I’m still working through that every day. I’ve found some incredible strategies that are really working for me now though, so I have high hopes.

DID YOU EVER WANT TO GIVE UP? WHAT KEPT YOU GOING?  I wanted to give up everyday in the beginning. I knew I needed this change but I didn’t want to do it. I was holding onto unhealthy habits because they felt comfortable and safe. I just kept thinking to myself “One more day. That’s all I’m asking. One more day” and I’d say that to myself every single day. Until I stopped needing to ask myself and I fell in love with the journey.

DID YOU HIT ANY WEIGHT LOSS PLATEAUS? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?  I haven’t hit any plateaus yet, but I’m preparing myself for this struggle.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO LOSE MOST OF THE WEIGHT?  I’ve been on this journey for 4 months now, still have ways to go.

DID YOU HAVE ANY NON-SCALE VICTORIES?  Going from an AUS size 26. To a size 20-18 was a huge non scale victory, I was finally able to shop in the “smaller section” and that was amazing. Being able to do a 5km up hill walk was also a big moment for me.

WHAT DOES YOUR DAILY DIET LOOK LIKE COMPARED TO WHEN YOU WERE HEAVIER?  I was a huge emotional eater, I existed in a world where way too many things triggered a binge. I used food to cope with all the things I wasn’t ready to face directly. I ate vegetables and fruits from time to time but not nearly enough and I ate more fast food than I’d like to admit.

HOW DOES YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY COMPARE TO WHEN YOU WERE HEAVIER?  I hated working out in the beginning. I could barely walk up a set of stairs. Eventually I started to get into lifting weights which I LOVED, I was stronger than I expected and I built up that strength fast. Now I really love my walks, especially incline walks. I love a challenge.

MY WEIGHT LOSS TIPS & TRICKS

1. Every time I didn’t buy junk food after really wanting to, I’d put the money aside that I would of spent on that food and saved it. I eventually saved up a fair bit of a money and bought myself a new bed because mine was so lumpy from all my weight!

2. If I wanted to watch TV during the day. I had to do steps while I watched 😂 eventually I stopped watching TV during the day.