While many invest in pricey programs, unsustainable diets and unhealthy fads in a bid to shed extra pounds, five Australian mothers have proven that this doesn’t have to be the case.
The women, who have now lost a staggering 222 kilograms between them, have been named the Healthy Mummy’s ‘Weight Loss Mums of the Year’ and shed weight simply by eating wholesome meals and exercising when possible.
Here, FEMAIL looks at each of their stories and their top tips for improved fitness, health and overall wellness.
Five Australian mothers have proven that you don’t need to follow unrealistic programs or fad diets to lose weight (pictured is Melanie Vernon)
MELANIE VERNON, 27
Melbourne-based mother Melanie lost 35 kilograms in just seven months after using the Healthy Mummy recipes to inspire her eating habits and help her improve her nutrition.
Before overhauling her health, the mother-of-one, who is now pregnant with baby number two, was drinking five cans of Coke a day and having a piece of toast or small bowls of cereal for breakfast.
After tipping the scales at 108.9 kilograms post-pregnancy, Melanie knew it was time to make a change.
‘I wrote up my own meal plan to suit me and used recipes from the website so I was having smoothies for breakfast every morning and healthy versions of butter chicken and chicken satay for lunches and dinners,’ Melanie told FEMAIL.
Melbourne-based mother Melanie lost 35 kilograms in just seven months after using the Healthy Mummy program to inspire her eating habits and help her improve her nutrition
‘I was also ensuring I had 50 grams of protein per day and heaps of veggies on my plate no matter what.’
Prior to this, Melanie was having plates of pasta and lasagna which she would cook in bulk to suit her shift work lifestyle – a carb-loaded habit that ultimately led to her weight gain.
After losing a lot of weight by diet alone, Melanie then joined up to her local bootcamp in May, 2017.
‘I took bub with me at 6am Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and would often go in the afternoons too,’ she said.
‘It wasn’t easy but it was so worth it in the long run. Consistency is key and I just feel amazing and full of energy now. It will also help with my current pregnancy as I am fitter than I have ever been.
‘My one piece of advice for other women wanting to lose weight is to take progress photos. I often feel as though I have plateaued but then I look at the photos and I see how far I have come. It’s a great feeling.’
After losing a lot of weight by diet alone, Melanie then joined up to her local bootcamp in May, 2017
CICILY GOODWIN, 23
Melbourne-based mother-of-two, Cicily, has impressed thousands with her incredible body transformation.
The inspiring mum has lost 53 kilograms since focusing on weight loss in mid 2016.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Cicily said she first came across the group while pregnant and in the space of her pregnancy, had seen women transform their bodies and lifestyles for the better.
‘I was drinking up to 10 coffees per day and eating a lot of food at a time; even if it wasn’t junk I would pile my plate up and eat until I was completely, uncomfortably full,’ she said.
‘It got to a point where I became addicted to fast food and every day I was eating takeaway for multiple meals – things like KFC and McDonald’s – and massive amounts of soft drink.’
Melbourne-based mother-of-two, Cicily, has impressed thousands with her incredible body transformation
Cicily started out by drinking smoothies and having them twice a day and walking before becoming stricter with her diet and incorporating body weight exercises into her daily home routine.
‘I was really learning so much about food and how it can be enjoyable and healthy. I never went overboard I just chose healthy and easy recipes and when I exercised I would pop the kids in a pram and go for a walk,’ she said.
‘I also did my home exercise after I popped the kids in bed at night time and spent about 45 minutes to an hour doing it, it’s so simple. No gym required.’
Cicily started out by drinking smoothies and having them twice a day and walking before becoming stricter with her diet and incorporating body weight exercises into her routine
Cicily, lost the first 30 kilograms with a healthy diet alone, said it took her a while to truly see how far she had come with her weight loss as she had spent so long being unhappy with herself.
‘I haven’t been this light since I was in year seven at school so since that time I was just building up a barrier and pretending to be confident and tough even though I was self-conscious,’ she said.
Cicily hopes other mothers can see that they don’t need to be restrictive or join a gym to get results.
‘I haven’t been this light since I was at school so since that time I was just building up a barrier and pretending to be confident and tough even though I was self-conscious,’ she said
NIKKI MYLES, 45
In just 12 months, mother-of-three Nikki, from Melbourne, has lost 29 kilograms and 90 centimetres off her body.
‘At first I didn’t even believe I could do this because I had so many people telling me your too old and when you have kids your metabolism slows down and it’s impossible to lose weight,’ she said.
‘However, I am happy to report my recent blood tests have revealed my liver is functioning normally my cholesterol is down, my iron levels are all back to normal, my menstrual cycle is back to normal and my blood pressure is back to normal.’
In just 12 months, mother-of-three Nikki, from Melbourne, has lost 29 kilograms and 90 centimetres off her body
Nikki used the program’s app to do home workouts like DanceFit and Tabata and started cooking up healthy, wholesome meals for herself and her family.
‘I am blown away that my kids are eating food that’s good for them and it’s actually saving me money to eat healthily,’ she said.
‘I made a promise to myself 11 months ago that I would be the healthiest version I could be in 2017! That’s exactly what I have achieved! I am happier, healthier, confident, fitter and stronger than ever before,’ she said.
Nikki used the program’s app to do home workouts like DanceFit and Tabata and started cooking up healthy, wholesome meals for herself and her family
‘I am blown away that my kids are eating food that’s good for them and it’s actually saving me money to eat healthily,’ she said
NICOLA OATES, 36
Queensland mother-of-two, Nicola, lost 45 kilograms in one year after being ‘horrified’ by a family photo of herself.
Nicola, who now weighs just 77 kilos after weighing in at 122 kilos, said her weight loss has left her happier and more energetic than ever.
Her entire perspective on food has changed too after realising that healthy food can be delicious as well as nutritious.
‘Rather than eating for comfort or because of boredom, food is fuel for my body to be at its best. I enjoy walking with my family and being a positive role model for my children, who look forward to our daily exercises,’ she said.
‘With help from the recipes, this has been the easiest and best thing I have ever done for my health and wellbeing.’
Queensland mother-of-two, Nicola, lost 45 kilograms in one year after being ‘horrified’ by a family photo of herself
Her entire perspective on food has changed too after realising that healthy food can be delicious as well as nutritious
AMY ELLEN ATKINSON, 28
Tasmanian mother-of-four, Amy, decided to lose weight after weighing in at 162 kilograms following the birth of her fourth child.
‘I knew it was time to do something about my weight. I wanted to do it for my children,’ Amy, who has now lost 60 kilos and 200 centimetres from her body, said.
Amy started by cooking up free healthy recipes for herself and her family and doing workouts in her living room while her kids played.
‘My kids love to join in with me. I can do it in comfort in my own home (and in my pyjamas sometimes) and I don’t have to worry about finding a babysitter for my children,’ she said.
‘I’m a more active mum, we go to the playground now and I’m able to run around with my children and go down the slide with them. I have heaps more energy and so much more self confidence.
‘I still have just under 30kg until I get to my goal weight of 80kg, but I know that it’s possible and I’m loving every second of getting there.’
Tasmanian mother-of-four, Amy, decided to lose weight after weighing in at 162 kilograms following the birth of her fourth child
Amy started by cooking up free healthy recipes for herself and her family and doing workouts in her living room while her kids played
‘I’m a more active mum, we go to the playground now and I’m able to run around with my children and go down the slide with them. I have heaps more energy and so much more self confidence,’ she said