"I’m not the ‘fat’ sister anymore!”

 

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After

Before Name Tracy Age 31 Height 1.62 m Was 100.6 kg  Lost 35.9 kg  Weight 64.7 kg  My hubby said, "I can't believe that's my wife! She looks so glamorous!"

Growing up - and out
I'd been over weight for as long as I can remember. In family photos, I was the chubby sister standing next to her two slim brothers. I just thought "Oh well, that's the way I am - I'm big boned" and lived with it.

Falling in love
When I met the man I later married I was a size 16, though I put on weight due to our lifestyle. We'd go out to dinner and order pizza and pasta, then head to the movies taking in buckets of popcorn and super sized cokes. I was addicted to coke and drank 2 litres per day! Soon we moved in together and ate Maccas nearly every day for lunch as it was cheap and filling. Our nightly ritual was the "choccy run" - we'd come back with a block of chocolate to demolish in front of the TV.

Here comes the wide
When we married in 1998, my size wasn't an issue as we were both so happy and in love. I knew I was 'big' so I just picked a wedding dress that fit, even though it was a size 26.

After six months of blissful marriage, I fell pregnant with our first child. I used this as an excuse to eat whatever I liked. After the healthy birth of our daughter, we had two more kids and with each pregnancy, I ended up even bigger than the last one.

Trying the first time
With three kids in tow thinking my child bearing days were behind me, I decided to do something about my weight. I joined Weight Watchers, weighing in at 103kg and lost 5kg in four weeks. I was going really well - until I discovered I was pregnant again! I decided to put my weight loss on hold and enjoy my fourth pregnancy.

Hitting rock bottom
After the birth of my son, I started to hate the person I saw in the mirror. I felt miserable and learnt I was suffering from post natal depression. I broke down at the doctor's, sobbing about the person I was. I'd hit rock bottom. After a month of feeling dismal, I woke up and decided I'd had enough. I wanted to rediscover who I was - other than someone's wife and mum - and finally meet the true me that was hiding under the fat.

My plan of attack...
I went back to Weight Watchers and made sure I told everyone that I was on the programme. Some said, "You'll never lose that much weight!" but that just made me stronger as I thought, "I'll show them!"

In my Meeting I leant about Weight Watchers Unlimited, teaming up Meetings and eTools for extra motivation. I used to write everything I ate on paper, but adding food to my Online Tracker and food diary was great! Best of all, eTools is there for you 24/7. I loved the message boards and I've made great mates and we give each other lots of inspiration.

Move it to lose it
I started walking my kids to school and back, but soon I craved 'me time' and joined the gym. I used the cross trainer for cardio and weight training to help tone up. I also ensured I ate lots of healthy meals and snacks regularly to keep hunger at bay. The hardest thing was giving up my 2 litres of coke per day. Instead, I drank water as my hunger was masked by thirst.

What's she doing here?
One week at my Meeting after losing 35kg, a lady said to me, "You're too skinny to be here!" I showed her my 'before' photos and she was amazed! It feels great knowing my success encourages others too! Even my doctor was blown away when he saw me. My usual tears were replaced with smiles and energy!

Glamour girl
When I reached my goal weight, I got a new haircut to celebrate! I'm no longer 'obese' - I'm within my healhy weight range. I enjoyed being part of the photo shoot and when my hubby saw the photos he said, "I can't believe that's my wife! She looks so glamorous!" Our relationship is even stronger than its ever been and I feel like I'm falling in love with him all over again. But best of all, in family photos I'm not the 'big one' any more, I'm the little sister!