How to lose weight naturally by Aussie who shed 111 kilos after hypertension diagnosis

When Laurel’s father died, she fell into a vicious cycle of binge-eating.

Her world collapsed.

At her heaviest, she weighed 190 kg and wore size 32-34 clothes after her weight got out of control.

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WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Laurel’s Astonishing Body Transformation

The now 50-year-old, from Adelaide, led a “lonely” lifestyle that saw her become a “big hearted eater” of takeaways, fast food like pizzas, soft drinks, potato chips and cheese.

When she was diagnosed with an incurable heart and lung condition, she knew she had to overcome her bad eating habits to get well – otherwise she would eventually be buried next to her father.

Determined to lose weight, Laurel naturally lost 111kg after undergoing a drastic lifestyle overhaul – more than half of her body weight dropped in just three years.

“When I lost my father, I gave up on myself and led a full, healthy life since he was my world,” Laurel says 7 lives.

“I then thought that if I did not try to lose weight, I would be in the grave with him, so it prompted me to take action.”

Before her astonishing body transformation, Laurel says she was always the “big girl” who grew up, but her weight increased after the sudden death of her father.

“When I reached my heaviest weight, I was isolated,” she says.

“I stopped doing the things I enjoyed. I started making excuses not to catch up and see friends. I stopped cooking and baking and became a bit of a recluse. ”

While turning to food for comfort, Laurel says walking short distances would make her “struggle to breathe”.

Pivot point

Her turning point in losing weight came when she was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a type of high blood pressure that affects arteries in the lungs and in the heart.

She started adjusting her diet – including cutting out all soft drinks, processed foods and sweet snacks.

“I switched to water, which is something I still mostly drink and enjoy,” she says.

“I cut out takeaways, no fast food chains and changed the way I did my shopping. I stopped bringing snacks like potato chips and chocolate into the house.

“I also decided to become more aware of what good protein is, and pair it with beautiful salads or vegetables. I also changed my snacks for fruit and a handful of nuts. ”

Laurel says she made her way to exercise easier.

“My movement started very slowly,” she says.

“I bought a treadmill to use every morning and evening for 15 minutes. Over time, I increased it to 30 minutes and then twice a day to 60 minutes. ”

She also saw an exercise physiologist who created a fitness plan for her.

Eventually, she joined a gym and started doing aqua aerobics.

Over three years, she has slimmed down to a size 12 to 14.

Starting walking and changing her eating habits helped her lose more than 70kg naturally – all on her own.

Laurel was 30kg away from her dream weight – but after struggling to lose those stubborn pounds, she turned to WeightWatchers (WW) in 2019.

The weight loss program helped her shed the last 33 kg in just six months.

“I lived in denial”

Despite the weight of 79 kg, she was informed that there was still 10 to 15 kilos of excess skin to be removed from her body, mostly around her legs.

Looking back at old photos of herself, Laurel admits that she always wonders “why and how” she let herself gain up to 190 kg.

“I think I knew how big I was at the time, but I lived in denial,” she says.

“I always smile, but I look at this and think how did I manage it? How much did I miss? ”

She says as she laughs, “I discovered I was very photogenic.”

“I am happy to be in the picture and now I always have the same smile on my face. I am very proud of the girl who looks back at me and what I have achieved as my photos are now like a trophy, which shows me how far I have come, ”she says.

“As my motivations changed in my health journey, I began to take a flexible approach when it comes to creating my day on a board, but also keeping up with my goals,” she says.

Healthy day on a plate

Breakfast: Winter – oats made with water, covered with fruit, or low-carb two slices of bread with poached egg. Summer – overnight oatmeal or mixed berries and a protein yogurt

Lunch: Whole grain salad cookies with turkey, light cheese, tomato or a salad bowl with chicken or tuna

Dinner: Roasted or air-fried protein such as chicken, beef, lamb or pork with half a plate of mixed salad or steamed vegetables

Snacks: Fruit at least a few pieces a day. Salsa with carrot or celery sticks. Protein bars or malt balls. In summer, a scoop of low-fat ice cream with a wafer

Drinks: Stagnant or sparkling water. Warm creamed cappuccino in the morning and tea at night.

“Nothing is out of bounds”

Laurel says she treats herself “absolutely” without depriving herself of food she likes.

“My journey is all about a lifestyle change and healthy attitude,” she adds.

“I learned that nothing is out of bounds, right now in moderation. I enjoy the little piece of birthday cake, or I like to catch up and go out with friends for lunch or dinner, I will drink a glass of wine and I will eat that piece of chocolate.

“I just try not to do it every day.”

Laurel’s exercise schedule now consists of walking and constantly moving her body.

“I enjoy getting out into nature,” she says.

“I deliberately move more around the house and during grocery shopping as any movement contributes. I do extra rides back to the car or deliberately take one person’s laundry off the line, take in, return, do another person’s and so on.

“When the weather is bad or I have obligations, I will fill a kettle, switch it on and while it is boiling, I grab a dining room chair and do the movement of getting up, sitting down.

“I continue with this until the kettle has boiled when I am in a hurry to incorporate movement into my morning and evening. I also sometimes do a quick workout at home. ”

The 50-year-old, who was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes more than 25 years ago, says she is no longer classified as diabetic.

Perseverance pays off

Since she has maintained her weight for over two years, Laurel is not only healthier than ever, she says she feels like a completely different person.

For those who want to lose weight, Laurel says: “Do not give up, perseverance pays off.

“Join a weight loss program that offers a personalized approach if you are struggling with accountability. Walk with a friend.

“It’s one step at a time, do not expect immediate change overnight and remember everyone’s journey is different.”