How teacher shed a whopping 30kg in 12 months without any shortcuts or crash diets – and now looks (and feels) YEARS younger: ‘A secret weapon’

A school teacher whose weight escalated after ‘hitting rock bottom’ has shed five dress sizes naturally in just 12 months after she made simple changes to her lifestyle – leaving her looking years younger.

Mel, from NSW, said her unhealthy food choices – including takeaway meals, sugary snacks and a few cheeky wines every night – saw her weight spiral to 84.9kg.

‘As a busy single mum of three kids, I worked long hours, ran a household, and had got into the habit of putting myself last,’ she told Daily Mail. 

‘Covid saw me hit my rock bottom due to stress at work and a relationship breakdown. I was eating dreadfully – unhealthy choices, very large portion sizes, and snacking while I drank a few glasses of wine on the couch each night.

The 41-year-old began living off takeaway meals and sugary snacks such as cereal, chocolate and chips, which she would always indulge in with her morning tea at work.

‘The kilos had stacked on. I was unable to walk up a flight of stairs without feeling out of breath and I was down on myself, my clothes were uncomfortable and I was constantly having to buy bigger sizes. It was very depressing,’ she recalled.

‘I saw a photo of myself and didn’t recognise the person I saw. Even though I was smiling, I looked aged and unhappy. I had lost who I was.’

Determined to get on top of her weight, the mum went on to lose 30kg in one year – transforming her body from sizes 16-18 to sizes 8-10.

Before her incredible weight loss, Mel was a working mum juggling three kids so finding time to make healthy meal choices was never a priority. 

‘Takeaway was a staple and food was a comfort that caused a vicious cycle of feeling dreadful and then eating for comfort,’ she explained. 

Her weight gain led to poor sleeping habits and constant illness and she was taking daily heartburn medication in the hope it would go away.

‘It wasn’t fun,’ she recalled.

She knew she needed to overcome her bad eating habits to get healthy.

‘The turning point was seeing that photo of myself and truly not recognising the person looking back at me,’ she said. 

‘I knew I needed to make a change.’

She found out a work colleague was on the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, which piqued her interest, so she began looking into the scientifically formulated weight loss program.

Developed by scientists at Australia’s national science agency, the diet focuses on a higher protein, low GI meal plan designed to help you shed kilos by reducing cravings and keeping you feeling fuller for longer.

‘A work colleague had used it so I saw their success. I then Googled it so I could read up on it. Being evidence-based, I felt confident that it would be sustainable,’ she said.

‘Reading about the diet made me feel that it would actually equip me with the knowledge I needed to build healthier habits for myself.

‘I took the plunge and haven’t looked back. Three months into my weight loss journey, I incorporated exercise and this was the start of a new life for me.’

Before discovering the diet, Mel said she had always struggled with knowing ‘what to eat for health, being consistent, and wanting a ‘quick fix’.

‘I had also always tried to lose weight for my appearance only. This final time, I was doing it for my health,’ she said. 

‘I leant on the menu plans to learn about what to eat for a balanced diet. After the first week, I found it worked better for me to freestyle and use the app to track my meals.

‘This was a better fit for my family and lifestyle. Rather than a quick fix, I was gaining the knowledge to live healthier. I did also lose weight quickly once I started, and this gave me a boost of motivation to keep going and be consistent.

‘The first six months were such a remarkable lifestyle change but here I am, four-and-a-half years on and I have still maintained my weight loss.’

She learned to eat to fuel her body, rather than simply eating out of habit. 

‘I got to my goal weight about 12 months after I started and have maintained it ever since,’ Mel said.

‘I lost 30kg all up and am now the fittest and healthiest I have ever been.’

For breakfast, she typically eats Crumpets with peanut butter and honey.

Her lunch consists of yoghurt with fruit and protein crisps and she’s constantly snacking all day which usually includes fruit, capsicum or veggies with cottage cheese dip.

Dinner time is usually some sort of protein with salad or veggies.

Mel, who now weighs 59.5kg, started exercising three months into her weight loss journey – and she hasn’t looked back. 

‘This was a major turning point,’ she said. 

‘I met like minded-people and started to feel strong. I had more energy and slept better. I now train every day to a high level as I run marathons and ultra trail marathons. I had four planned for this year alone. 

‘I also strength train and train stairs all the time. I get up early to train and it is a great kickstart to the day with my friends or my dog.

‘I do exercise a lot so I have to fuel more on most days due to my running. This is done with healthy foods that are high in protein. I now know appropriate portion sizes and how to eat to fuel my body. Yes, I still do treat myself.’

It was her love for running that led to her now-partner. 

‘I discovered a love for life… I now share this joy of running with a whole new tribe of people and met my now-partner,’ she said. 

‘I’ve been achieving massive goals I never even thought possible – including completing a 160km ultra trail marathon.’

‘Life is just easier. I can move freely without pain, and have the energy to train at a high intensity. I sleep better and have no need for the heartburn medication which has dramatically impacted my life in a positive way. 

‘My knees are also pain free now too. My skin is clearer and I have so much more energy.’

For those struggling to lose weight or don’t know where to start, Mel said: ‘Time goes by no matter what you do. In 12 months you will still be a year older, why not make some changes to be the best version of yourself?

‘The benefits of starting far outweigh (pun intended) the sacrifices you need to make. Consistency trumps everything. Do it for you and for your health and surround yourself with positive people.’