After

Name  |  Michelle Age  |  31 Height  |  1.68 m Was  |  92.5 kg Lost  |  27 kg Weight  |  65.5 kg Before

Michelle's weight fluctuated for years, but it wasn't until her doctor recommended Weight Watchers® that she began to understand what it means to be healthy. Today she is our 2007 Slimmer of the Year 16-30kg Category Winner and knows it is her time to shine!

Michelle's challenge
I jumped on the weight rollercoaster ride as a teenager. I went from an active horse rider to a teenager who cared more about socialising than being healthy. I felt embarrassed about my size but because I'd seen mum struggle with her weight, I just assumed it was hereditary and I would always be overweight.

When I turned 17 and moved out of home, my story took a 180 degree spin. My weight plummeted from 80kg to 50kg in the space of a year and I became very unhealthy.

Unfortunately, my weight never stabilised. It ballooned during my first pregnancy - then following the birth, I went back to my old habits of starving myself. My weight ballooned again during my second pregnancy and after my son's birth food took on a new meaning. Discovering at five months old that he was intellectually and physically disabled broke our hearts. He relied on us for all his needs and life became hectic. During the pregnancy with my third son I tipped the scales at 100kg. I was growing bigger and was at my heaviest. Food had become my comfort as I didn't know how to deal with stress in a healthy manner.

The turning point
My weight was constantly plaguing my thoughts and affected how I felt about myself. I had tried another diet but it was too expensive, nor could I lose the weight on my own. I had given Weight Watchers a go but I didn't believe in myself so I gave up. It wasn't until I asked my local doctor to recommend the most effective weight-loss program that she strongly suggested I try Weight Watchers again. Her daughter had lost 15kg on the program so she urged me to give them a call.

How Weight Watchers worked for Michelle
I can vividly remember the first Meeting when another Member who had lost 40kg came up to me and said I could do it too. This is when I started to change my life. After choosing the Core Plan™ I set my goals and signed a personal commitment, known as 'My Contract'. It was here that I promised to make myself my number one priority and give myself every possible chance to succeed. This proved to be a powerful tool as I had an objective, plan and time frame and I committed myself 100%. Week by week I attended every Meeting where I gained support, knowledge, confidence and weight loss! The weekly booklets I received are still relevant and continue to help me stay on track when I need it.

I learnt the importance of eating a hearty breakfast, controlling my portions (yes I still eat dark chocolate), and appreciating what setbacks teach you.

Maintaining a regular exercise routine has meant that I can run around and play with my kids. They always tell me I'm more fun now! I attend the gym five days a week where I do three sessions of combined cardio and weights and two sessions of straight cardio. It definitely took time though, because initially I could only manage aquarobics twice a week.

The future
I reached my Goal weight in August 2006 and life is now forever different. I have taken up photography again, which I gave up at 18. I never had faith in my abilities and hated feeling the pressure of expectations, but I realise now that I do have talent! There are so many ways I can live my life and I have even approached Weight Watchers about possibly training as a Leader.

Michelle's top tips
Rally a good support network around you because as they say, 'A problem shared is a problem halved'. Things will seem much easier when you have people to lean on.