Natasha had a big milestone heading her way, and big plans to celebrate it in style.
Melbourne mum Natasha Burns knew she had about 30kg to lose. She also knew her 30th birthday was getting closer. Why not combine the two, get in touch with the people at Weight Watchers and really make it an occasion to remember?
A self-employed artist, Natasha did it easily — and one year on, she's still slim, fit, healthy and much, much happier.
Her young son Leroy, three, and husband Greg, 28, couldn't be prouder of her achievement, and both have benefited from her dramatically improved energy ...
"Before I lost any weight, I was about 91kg and felt miserable, horrible and fat. I also had several embarrassing experiences. One time, someone mistook me for a pregnant person. On another occasion, a boy at a newsagent overheard me say to Leroy as I held him, 'Gee, you're heavy'. The boy commented, 'It must be in the genes!'
"I got to the point where I thought, 'Stop messing about and do something. So I decided I'd lose my 30kg before my 30th birthday. At the time, that was 11 months away ... and I did it in 10!
"For my birthday party, I decided it was going to be a Polynesian theme. I'd wear a coconut shell bikini top and grass skirt on the night … and I did, thanks to Weight Watchers.
"I felt great, and my Weight Watchers leader was there. She told me she overheard people talking about my amazing weight loss — that was a huge boost!
"I went to Weight Watchers because they teach you how to lose weight and have a much healthier lifestyle.
"If you want a treat, you can have one because they teach about making better choices. I also love the support — I enjoyed going to the meetings and hearing everyone's different ideas. I don't have to attend any more, but I still go to the meetings and have a coffee afterwards.
"I love savoury foods, so the hardest for me to control was chips, dips and crackers. But I just swapped to rice crackers and low-fat dips in smaller amounts. It was so worth it. After I lost about 16kg, I joined a gym, and I still go about three times a week.
"I love it and now I feel really good. For the first time in years, I don't feel like people are staring at me because I'm fat."
Natasha's stats
Weight before: 91kg
Weight after: 59kg
Weight lost: 32kg
Clothes size was: 18-22
Clothes size now: 10
Natasha's top tip
"If you've got a lot of weight to lose, break it down into small, achievable goals. This way, it doesn't feel like a huge, daunting amount. I had 30kg to lose, but broke it down to five kilo mini-goals along the way. I also rewarded myself with new make-up or perfume or shoes when I achieved each one!"
