Every New Year losing weight was my resolution. But I always failed. I tried every diet under the sun and even lost 30kg once, but my target weight remained an elusive goal that was always just out of reach.
In early 2007 I was in danger of accepting that I’d be big forever, but in one final act of desperation I turned to the Bible for help. I found a passage that said to “eat just vegetables and water for 10 days”, so that’s what I did, and I lost 7kg. But the best thing was that it triggered something inside me.
I went from feeling that I should lose weight to actually wanting to lose it. And that was the key, I think. I was an emotional eater. I had a troubled childhood and, as a result, had extremely low self-esteem and depression. But I realised I had a choice to make. I had to lose weight or lose the life I wanted to live. I’d lost so much of my life to my past already, I wasn’t prepared to lose my future to it.
About this time I met Lana, the manager at Fernwood Tuggeranong through a friend. She was such an amazing person who wanted me to succeed as much as I did, and her encouragement made me really go for it. She became my Food Coach and slowly but surely I began losing weight. Everything just seemed to slot into place. It was like I became one with my desire to get fit. I no longer had to think about it, I just did it.
In around 12 months I lost 70kg and dropped seven dress sizes. I’m fitter and healthier than I’ve ever been and living a different life – the one I dreamt about. From wearing make-up to having a boyfriend, things just keep getting better and better. My journey has made me realise how powerful the mind is – so much so I became a life coach to help others find the same success I have.
My aim with my business, Journey to Joy, is to help people recognise just how much they can achieve. I’m planning on writing a book too, in the hope I can reach even more people. My best piece of advice for others is to believe in yourself. You can do it if you put your mind to it. You have the potential, you just need to learn how to use it.