Real-life weight loss: How I lost 23KG

Ben Stechschulte

Like many teenagers, Courtney Stearns didn’t give much thought to her diet and health regimen.

But at the age of 17 she was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal imbalance that can trigger weight gain.

She soon noticed that her so-so habits (like too many sugary snacks) began to catch up with her. At 19, PCOS symptoms forced Stearns into the doctor’s office multiple times a week.

“Every time I stepped on the scale, I’d gained one or two kilos,” says the now 26-year-old, who works as a corporate assistant.

In just two months, Stearns, 167cm, had put on 23kg.

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The weight loss change

Over the next three years, Stearns became depressed and struggled to find a fix that would erase the excess weight.

“I was trying to exercise but nothing was fun,” she says.

Her life changed when her neighbour, a professional boxer, invited her to his gym and something clicked.

“It looked awesome,” she says. “I had to try it.” She approached a coach on the spot and asked if she could start training.

The healthy lifestyle

Stearns dove into daily workouts. She jumped rope, punched bags and learnt how to fight. She fuelled up with vegies and lean protein, and was able to give up ice-cream after learning to satisfy her sweet tooth with fruits like pineapple.

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Stearns knew she was on the right track when her scale showed a 5kg dip in the first month of her new routine. By the time her first boxing tournament came around in February 2010, she’d dropped another 14kg.

When Stearns finally hit 59kg that May, she needed some new clothes. “I’d thrown out my skinny clothes!” she says.

The weight loss reward

Her wardrobe wasn’t the only thing that was overhauled – boxing also gave her a major self-esteem boost.

“I used to be afraid of talking in front of people,” she says, “But now I’m confident.”

And although her PCOS is permanent, she feels healthy and has tons of energy.

“I can face anything now,” she says. “Just like in the ring, you can always go one more round. You just have to dig for it.”

STEARNS’ WEIGHT LOSS TIPS

Find something you love to do “Boxing is a part of me now. It’s so much more than exercise.”

Eat a rainbow each day “Try to have fruits and vegies of all colours every day.”

Don’t allow yourself to opt out “I leave my gear in my bag by the door so I’m always ready to go.”