Alex lost 13.3 kg and says it’s been a 100% life improvement!

Alex lost more than 13 kg in just 6 months with the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, reaching her goal weight of 60 kg and achieving what she describes as a "100% improvement" in her life! 

Name: Alex
Starting Weight: 73 kg
Current Weight: 59.7 kg
Total Loss: 13.3 kg*

*Lost in 6 months. Individual results may vary. 

Losing the weight

Life before the weight loss...

For Alex, food had always been about more than just eating. “I love food. I love cooking it, and I love eating out and trying out new places. For me, it is comfort.”

While her life was busy and active, walking the dog daily, going on hikes, visiting the beach and catching up with friends, her love of food and occasional inconsistency with exercise meant her weight had crept up over time.

Alex's ‘moment of truth’...

I did not think I “looked too bad” but after seeing photos of myself last Christmas, I decided I needed to do something about my weight,” Alex recalls. “I remember looking at myself in the mirror and saying, "I don’t like how my tummy looks. I don’t want to let myself let go like this."

Why did Alex choose the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet?

Alex had tried other diets before, including intermittent fasting, but always found the weight came back. This time, joining the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet through her health fund gave her the structure and support she needed. “I chose the six-month option because I wanted to make a conscious decision of a lifestyle change and not a fast, band-aid weight loss,” she says.

Gaining life

Did Alex overcome any health conditions after the weight loss? 

There were no immediate health concerns. But I know weight gain and/or excess weight can in the long term bring on a lot of health issues.

What was the biggest challenge?

Alex admits the biggest challenge at first was changing her Mediterranean-influenced eating habits. “Not eating bread and pasta was a challenge. But as you progress in the program and see results, and can introduce more food in healthy varieties, it makes it much easier.”

She also credits the program’s app, recipes, videos, and CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet Facebook group for keeping her motivated: “The support is excellent. The reminders that you are on a journey and not alone are sensational.”

Describe a typical day now in terms of what you eat (including favourite breakfast, lunch and dinner recipe from the program) as well as exercise?

I wake up and walk my dog, I have breakfast: one of my favourite, my morning coffee with skim milk, Burgen toast or I replace with high protein, low GI Bakers delight sandwich (thin) slice loaf. With an egg (sunny side up) and some drizzle of Fetta (low fat) and everything bagel spread over it with a little bit of red onion or parsley; same toast with a wedge of avocado and the same Fetta (low fat) a bit of pepper, red onion and either parsley or a couple of cherry tomatoes. And If I am feeling for something a bit sweeter, some toast with peanut butter (255 less fat) and half a sliced banana.

Lunch is usually a wholemeal wrap with salad and tuna or salmon flavoured tins (smoked, chilli, lemon and pepper) or quinoa salad with hard boiled egg, or a soup, or grilled chicken with brown rice and some marinade (soy sauce, ginger garlic), even the good cheese and cherry tomato toasty.

My afternoon snack is some fruit, or yoghurt with some blueberries or with muesli/granola. There are so many great recipes that members share like protein balls and muffins.

Dinner, I go through the recipes in the program, chicken-based dinners, salmon or fish ones are great, lamb, pork, wholemeal pasta, salads, lots of grilled veggies. I found the program is so versatile and caters for all cooking styles.

I choose the quick meals which usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes and dinner is ready.

Delicious, for all the family and tastes great! You can select more gourmet style. There is A LOT of information and choices!

Describe how your life has changed since losing the weight?

"Today, I feel healthier, happier and more confident in my own skin. Not so much that I can do things I never thought I could, but it’s about how well I feel, how I grew as a person, and how taking these steps has made me realise how glad I am I did this program.”

Her relationship with food has shifted, and so too has her self-image. “I feel happier, I feel I look good and it is a good feeling. I feel sexier and my partner is definitely happy.”

One of her proudest moments was trying on clothes she had kept “for when I lose weight” and finally feeling great in them. “I am proud that I set a goal and I achieved it,” she says.

Alex’s advice for others is simple: “Take the first step of knowing that if you are not feeling great, there are ways to feel better. Take the journey one step at a time, celebrate each milestone, and stay connected with all the support. Everyone is different, but once you’re looking into it, you know you’re onto something great, that works, and that you can make a change.”

Are you trying to lose weight? Read our comprehensive guide on weight loss to understand where to begin, what happens when you lose weight and what doesn't work when it comes to dieting.