A Melbourne woman who lost half her body weight following a shock diagnosis is now gearing up to take on New York’s most famous marathon later this year.
Just two short years ago, Marnie Benney was told by doctors that if she didn’t get her ever-increasing weight under control she was a prime candidate for diabetes, stroke or an imminent heart attack.
The 48-year-old admitted she had always struggled with her body size – in the last few years it ballooned due to stress and a diet of chocolate, sweets, soft drinks and fatty fried food – but tipping the scales at 138 kilos was too much.
Ms Benney told Daily Mail Australia her doctor’s warnings – along with the shock of number on the scales – were ‘the deal breakers’ she needed in order to make change.
Marnie Benney weighing 138 kilos at the very start of her weight loss journey two years ago
James Harris, Ms Benney’s personal trainer helped her every step of the way
‘I absolutely despised myself back then. I really hated me because I was so uncomfortable in my own skin,’ she said.
She said in order to take those first few tentative steps towards a new life, she’d have to make exercise accessible.
‘It [the gym] had to be close to home, I knew if I had to go too far out of my way I probably wouldn’t get there.’
Taking a slow approach to health and fitness gave Ms Benney time to build up to more strenuous classes like boxing (Ms Benney pictured second right)
One of the keys to Marnie Benney’s success was signing up to a gym that was close to home
Ms Benney recalled she was ‘petrified’ turning up to her first training session which was made even more difficult by the fact she couldn’t bend down to tie her own shoes.
‘My trainer James saw that I needed help and discreetly came over and tied my shoes,’ she said.
‘He did that for two months until I could do it for myself.’
Ms Benney (pictured) with her personal trainer James Harris – the man who helped her tie her shoes laces at the gym when she couldn’t bend down to reach them
Ms Benney credits her trainer taking a slower approach to fitness – in order to build her up physically and emotionally – helped her stay the course.
She began with free weights at first before moving on to boxing classes. As her fitness increased she took on cross-training which she said gave her the stamina to start running.
Six months later the former self-proclaimed ‘couch potato’ had completed her first 5km run.
Diet also played a major part Ms Benney explained. She’s gone from constantly grazing on lollies, chips and takeaways to eating five or six small meals a day.
She said protein forms a part of most meals in the form of eggs, yoghurt, tuna or chicken, as does an array of fresh fruit and vegetables.
‘I make healthy choices now, but they’re tasty.’
Since committing to a life of health and fitness, Ms Benney is now doing things she thought she would never be able to do
At 11 months, her drive and dedication paid off and she’d not only shed the 60 kilos she had set as a goal, she’d also lost another 10, taking her total to 70 kilos.
‘I have gone from a classic potato to someone who is now living,’ she said.
‘I am doing things now that I thought I would never be able to do.
Ms Benney’s since completed several half marathons, and she now plans on heading to New York in November to compete in the city’s most famous marathon.
Ahead of the big race, she revealed her training schedule sees her hitting the gym six days a week for a mix of personal training, strength and fitness sessions.
Ms Benney pictured with a 20 kilo weight which represents the amount she’d lost at that point
Her next milestone – 40 kilos – is marked with double that amount
Mr Harris and Ms Benney show off her 70 kilo weight loss
Vision personal trainer James Harris said his client was a force to be reckoned with.
‘She is unbelievable and her commitment is second to none. Her work ethic is outstanding.
As well as celebrating her weight loss and realising her goals, Ms Benney exhorts others to embrace a lifestyle of health and fitness.
Her personal trainer James Harris said her work ethic is ‘unbelievable’
As well as celebrating her weight loss and realising her goals, Ms Benney exhorts others to embrace a lifestyle of health and fitness.
‘Make small steps toward change and remember anyone can do it,’ she advised.
‘Reach out to people who will support you because it makes all the difference.
‘You can change your life, and then you can help others change theirs,’ she added.
‘All it takes is one step and a helping hand,’ she concluded.