How I Lost 30kgs and Got My Life Back

I can't say it was easy and it certainly didn't happen overnight, but it was something I achieved initially over 3 months, then progressively sped up from there so within 12 months, I was 10kgs down.

After about two and half years, I had pretty much blown away 30kgs of excess weight. I couldn't believe it.

I went from breathlessness and sluggishness to actively going to the gym, walking and eating healthy foods in the right portions.

But I had lots of help. I don't know how anyone can really do it on their own. And here's how it unfolded.

To Start, Pick One Thing To Tackle. For Me It Was My Diet.

I initially went to a company (here in Australia) called Lite N Easy. I HAVE NO AFFILIATION OR MONETARY INTEREST OR GAIN FROM MENTIONING THEM.

The beauty about this type of company was it allowed me to focus on being active and not having to worry about crazy diets or cooking lots of meals. It was simple food and all calorie controlled, designed to create a deficit and within 12 months, 10kgs had dropped off, people were making comments about how I had lost weight.

It was fun and motivation. I could feel the momentum of change pushing me in the right direction. It's amazing how it fuels the desire to just keep going.

Then I Increased My Exercise

I hit a slight plateau and so I increased my exercise, this worked and helped me to drop another 6kgs, I was nearly half way there.

I did nothing fancy, I just went to the gym three times a week and made sure I had at least one intense cardio session, like rowing

And by this stage, I had also become much more attuned at the shocking difference food portions could influence my weight but I was also frustrated.

By this time, I was enjoy weights three times a week and whilst I notice some changes, I came to the firm conclusion that I could loose weight under a calorie restricted diet, but I could never change the way my body actually looked.

I was like WTF, I've lost nearly 16kgs and still don't have a six pack!!!!

I Went Back And Focused On My Diet Again

So I flipped from a meal service provider and went to visit a dietitian. There are lots of them in Australia and I feel they are an underutilised resource when it comes to guidance about basic healthy eating to nutrition for sports performance. I chatted to a few and then found one who had specialised in body composition and nutrition planning.

I spent 3 months on a high fat, low carbohydrate diet that was also lower in overall calories to the energy I was needing. The net result was a dramatic difference to my body composition (yes, I had a visible six pack) with total body fat dropping along with my overall weight and I hit my lowest weight in nearly 20 years of 73kgs.

After three months, I transitioned from this to a more balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy all in the right portions.

Then I Developed A Sport Specific Approach

When you lose weight, you get so much back. I felt physically lighter, had more energy and had an overwhelming level of satisfaction that I had actually done something to better my life.

I also took my passion for exercise overall and turned into a specific area of triathlon and I haven't looked back.

I still have days where things don't go right but it's much easier when you have the confidence of knowing what to do. Eat the right portions, make healthy food choices and exercise.

I eat well most days, exercise most days and I am only 3 kgs heavier now at 76kgs. I don't find it hard to keep this weight now but I'm not living such a regimented routine, although I am certain this is what I needed to get me to this stage.

There's nothing easy about it, but it's also not that hard. You just need to take the first step. There's lots of people out there willing to help also, you are never alone.

Get back to healthy living.