Real life weight loss: How I lost 60.5KG

A huge weight loss fixed high blood pressure, heart palpitations and plantar fasciitis

Starting weight: 140.5KG Now 80KG

The change

By December 2011, 30 year old Joanne Hallworth’s health had begun to seriously play on her mind. Her weight was at its highest ever, she was suffering shortness of breath, heart palpitations, plantar fasciitis (sharp heel pain) and on a routine visit to the doctor her blood pressure reading was 190/90 mmHg (a good one is 120/80 mmHg). Readings had been steadily increasing for a few years.

“Each doctor would tell me my blood pressure was alarmingly high. Some wanted to put me on meds, which isn’t desirable for someone my age. I knew I needed to lose weight to fix the problem.”

Hallworth had always been the “big” kid at school, she loved fatty foods and didn’t embrace exercise. Her only previous attempt at weight loss seven years prior had resulted in a 17kg loss which she gained back – and then some. She made the decision that 2012 was going to be the year she got her health back.

“I wanted to make the decision before my body made it for me with a serious heart problem.”

The lifestyle

Staring down the barrel of a 60kg weight loss was daunting, but Hallworth saw exercise physiologist Ray Kelly’s Rapid Loss weight loss program advertised on TV and signed up. She used his program to change her eating and exercise habits over an 11-month period.

“I talked to my family and friends about their diet and fitness too. Naturally, everyone has an opinion about how to lose weight so I cherrypicked the right advice for me.”

Her diet mostly consisted of protein with every meal, a Rapid Loss shake for dinner, and fruit and yoghurt when she got hungry between meals. She also went from not exercising at all to exercising every day, walking and jogging with her dog and interval training on her cross trainer at home.

“Getting to double digits on the scales was a momentous occasion for me, as that was a place I hadn’t been since I was a child!”

The reward

Hallworth says the health pay-offs were noticeable straightaway. “My mood improved immediately. As the fat started to be replaced by muscle my palpitations stopped, my plantar fasciitis improved by 90 per cent and my blood pressure went back to normal. I went to the GP six weeks ago and it’s now 120/80 mmHg – there’s no trace of bad health there.”

She says she previously disrespected her body, but she’s learnt that you get out of it what you put in.

“Life is so much more enjoyable, fulfilling and rewarding since I started treating my body with respect. I no longer worry about my health and I know it is totally possible to enjoy food without overeating. I eat with a conscience now.”

Hallworth’s weight loss advice

Surround yourself with allies
“Don’t underestimate the psychological aspect of weight loss. I used the forum on rapidchallenge.com.au to talk to like-minded people for tips and encouragement.”

Workout at home “The gym isn’t for everyone. I have an elliptical cross trainer at home that makes it easy to work out at any time of the day.”

Have protein handy “Make sure you’re never caught out hungry with nothing nutritious to eat. I keep protein bars in my handbag, and my fridge is always stocked with chicken and tuna.”