Putting herself first: How Kerry lost 21.2kg and took her life back

For years, Kerry Ann Bullard put everyone else first.

Now 54, the Office Manager from East Kurrajong in New South Wales had lived through a perfect storm of physical, emotional and life-related factors that gradually led to significant weight gain. Pregnancy weight, genetics, long-term medication, guilt about wasting food, chronic pain, and years of neglecting her own needs had all taken their toll.

By the time Kerry reached 109.4kg, life had become painfully small.

“Saturdays were spent in bed,” she recalls. “I was exhausted, in constant pain, and everyday tasks were becoming impossible.”

Walking was difficult. Shopping, vacuuming, carrying a laundry basket or climbing stairs required planning — and often help. Kerry lived with daily pain that required anti-inflammatory medication, suffered from reflux and snoring, experienced swelling in her lower legs, and had recently been advised by her GP to start cholesterol medication.

Socially, it became easier to stay home than to go out.

“I was missing out on life,” Kerry says. “And I felt terrible about myself.”

The walk that changed everything

Kerry had experienced many low moments — clothes not fitting, photos she didn’t recognise herself in, and years of chronic pain. But her true breaking point came one morning on the short walk from the train station to her office.

“I was in a really bad way,” she says. “I had to stop three times because of the pain. I was close to tears in the street and genuinely considered sitting on the footpath and calling my office to come and help me.”

In that moment, Kerry realised her future felt bleak.

“I honestly thought I might be using walking aids within a few years,” she says. “I started thinking about how I would cope as a grandparent one day.”

Determined to change her quality of life, Kerry began investigating her private health cover for knee replacement surgery — and that’s when she discovered the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet.

On 8 December 2024, weighing 109.4kg, Kerry started what she now calls “the first day of the rest of my life”.

Choosing support, structure and science

Kerry had tried countless approaches to weight loss over the years — gyms, personal training, yoga, meal replacements, intermittent fasting, low GI diets and more. Nothing had created lasting change.

This time felt different.

The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet appealed to Kerry because it wasn’t just about weight loss — it was a structured, science-backed lifestyle program. One supported by Australian research and trusted by thousands of members, as reflected in the program’s overall results.

Most importantly for Kerry, she wasn’t doing it alone.

“The one-on-one coaching with my dietitian changed everything,” she says. “It gave me accountability, support, and knowledge — but also compassion.”

Through personalised guidance, meal planning and practical education, Kerry began to understand her relationship with food, portion sizes, and how years of putting herself last had shaped her habits.

“I remember the moment I realised how much I’d neglected myself,” she says. “It was sad — but also empowering. I finally gave myself permission to matter.”

Tools that made change possible

Kerry leaned heavily on the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet app, describing it as “easy, supportive and even fun to use”.

The meal planning and swapping tools helped her stay organised and confident, while the shopping lists made preparation simple and realistic. Logging food intake helped Kerry learn what appropriate servings actually looked like — without restriction or guilt.

Over time, small, consistent changes added up.

In just 10 months, Kerry lost 21.2kg, reaching 88.2kg — but the changes went far beyond the scales.

A life reopened

“Losing this weight has seen life open back up again,” Kerry says.

She can now walk confidently and pain-free. Her cholesterol levels improved so significantly that medication was no longer required. Her thyroid medication has reduced. She no longer needs anti-inflammatories. The swelling in her legs has subsided. Her digestion has improved, reflux has resolved, and her family tells her she no longer snores.

Perhaps most remarkably, knee replacement surgery is no longer imminent.

“I don’t need walking aids. I don’t need knee replacements right now,” Kerry says. “The future looks good.”

She walks up and down stairs with ease, carries groceries and laundry baskets without pain, vacuums her home effortlessly, enjoys camping and boating again, and even jumped on a motorbike for the first time.

“I can participate in life,” she says simply.

Confidence, pride and looking ahead

Beyond the physical changes, Kerry’s confidence has returned.

“I don’t hide in group photos anymore,” she says. “I wear clothes that show my shape. I enjoy going out.”

Her mental wellbeing has improved alongside her mobility, and she wakes up motivated and optimistic about the day ahead.

Looking forward, Kerry plans to continue building strength, possibly working with a personal trainer, improving her blood work further, and continuing her journey with the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet.

“I still have goals,” she says. “But now I know I can achieve them.”

Kerry’s advice for others

Kerry’s message is deeply personal — and powerful:

“This isn’t just about weight loss. It’s about changing your life. Putting yourself first. And understanding that if you fall off track, tomorrow is a new day.”

With its science-backed approach, flexible meal plans, supportive tools, and accessible pricing — often supported by health funds — the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet gave Kerry the structure and support she needed to transform her life.

And as her story shows, it’s never too late to reclaim your mobility, confidence and future.