Aussie chocolate addict drops 53kg and fulfils mum's dying wish

A sugar addict who binged on a block of chocolate daily has dropped 53kg after ditching the junk food.

Adelaide woman Mara Vasic used to weigh 131kg and was a size 24-26 but now she’s lost an incredible 53kg and is down six dress sizes.

Mara Vasic in her underwear
Mara Vasic used to weigh 131kg before dropping 53kg. Photo: Caters

The 28-year-old said she turned to comfort food as a way to cope when her mum was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018.

“Chocolate was my go-to, I’d have a block a day usually. I’d often have meals from fast food outlets and eat things like sweets, donuts and meat pies,” Mara said.

“Over time, I continued to get bigger and this broke my mum’s heart. As I kept piling it on I could see her stressing constantly about my health.”

The night before Mara’s mum passed away she told her how proud she was of her daughter after she had lost weight to be a bridesmaid at her best friend’s wedding.

“The last conversation we had she told me how proud she is of me and how beautiful I looked and to keep going,” Mara said.

Woman loses 53kg
One of Mara's mum's dying wishes was to see her daughter happy and healthy. Photo: Caters

After trying different diets, weight loss pills and exercise plans in the hope of shedding some Mara decided to get a gastric sleeve in September 2019, after talking to her doctor.

While she said it changed her life, she added that her surgery was definitely not a ‘quick fix’ and she’s had to completely overhaul her diet and incorporate a strict exercise regime into her week to ensure she stays on track.

RELATED:

Mara ditched her daily block-of-chocolate habit and fast food binges, and now focuses on eating a high-protein diet full of healthy lean meats, fruits and vegetables.

She’s also joined F45 where she works out five days per week and she bought herself a treadmill when the coronavirus hit, so she would have “no excuses”.

Mara said she feels healthier and happier than ever before with her partner Zarko by her side.

Woman in one leg of her old jeans after losing weight
She said whenever she loses motivation she thinks of how proud her mum would be of her. Photo: Caters

“At times when I can’t be bothered or I am just in a rut, I think of mum and making her proud,” she said.

“This will be what motivates me to stay on track for the rest of my life.

“Losing weight has changed my life, my body feels better, my knees and back do not hurt anymore.

“The best feeling is knowing I am making my mum proud for fulfilling one of her dying wishes to see me happy and healthy and the best version of myself.”

Before

Breakfast: Meat pie, a chocolate donut with a full fat ice coffee

Mid-morning Snack: Lollies, a chocolate bar and sometimes fruit

Lunch: A subway footlong, McDonalds burger meal or pasta

Dinner: Pasta, pizza or a chicken schnitzels

Dessert: Usually a whole block of chocolate

After

Breakfast: Poached eggs, granola or a smoothie

Mid-morning Snack: Mini protein bar, fruit or cheese and crackers

Lunch: Crispbread with smoked salmon and cream cheese or with ham, cheese and tomato

Afternoon snack: apple and nuts

Dinner: Home cooked dinners such as stews, soup and stuffed capsicum - mainly meat based meals with minimal carbs

Dessert (if applicable): Sometimes a small sweet treat under 100 calories

Reporting by Caters

Click here to sign up to our daily newsletter to get all the latest news and hacks. Or if you have a story tip, email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.