Riley Hemson is a firm believer in the benefits of following a healthy lifestyle, after years of being overweight as a teen saw her weight skyrocket.
The 21-year-old Instagram star, with more than 64,000 followers, decided she wanted to change her life two years ago after stepping on the scales and seeing her weight had hit 115 kilograms – and has since shed 30 kgs in two years.
Speaking to FEMAIL, the Wellington-based paramedic in training revealed she had struggled with being overweight her entire life and that the reality of the numbers on the scales shocked her into taking action.
The 21-year-old decided to change her life two years ago after stepping on the scales and seeing she weighed 115 kilograms
‘I had tried every single day of my life to lose weight because I wanted to look better, and it never worked,’ Ms Hemson revealed
‘I had tried every single day of my life to lose weight because I wanted to look better, and it never worked,’ she said.
‘I was nearly 20 before I said to myself “no, it’s about being healthy”.’
Ms Hemson said she was spurred to action in part through seeing sick patients and learning about how the body functions.
‘We’ve only got one body and we need to treat it right in order to get the best out of our lives,’ she said.
The health role model said she was spurred to action in part through seeing sick patients and learning about how the body functions
‘As soon as you turn your mind set to health, and make a decision to put the right things into your body, the weight loss and body changes become easy.’
Before embarking on her journey, Ms Hemson admitted that although she lived as a committed vegetarian, her diet was one of carbs: pizzas and hot chips, and she confesses, ‘heaps of junk’.
She also took inspiration from those she saw on social media who were transforming their bodies and prepared to detail every bit of their weight loss journey.
Before embarking on her journey, Ms Hemson admitted her diet was one of carbs: pizzas and hot chips, and she confesses, ‘heaps of junk’
‘You’re seeing people drop the weight, and I knew I could do it too,’ she said.
But rather than strive for a perfect Insta-body, Ms Hemson wanted to focus on creating healthy and sustainable ways of living.
‘Since turning my lifestyle into a healthy one, I’ve branched out. I hated tomato, I hated avocado. I had to try and make myself eat eggs,’ she said.
‘When I crave certain foods now I then turn it around and try and remind myself what’s actually in it and what it’s going to do to my body.
‘And that’s almost enough to put the brakes on.’
‘Since turning my lifestyle into a healthy one, I’ve branched out. I hated tomato, I hated avocado. I had to try and make myself eat eggs,’ she said
Healthychick101 – Ms Hemson’s Instagram page – was one she created two years ago ‘as a way of keeping accountable’.
Although she started out tentatively because she was afraid of being mocked for being fat, sharing details of her journey emboldened her to open up her account.
She credits a growing sense she could inspire others to pursue a healthy lifestyle for giving her the impetus to share her story with as many people as possible.
Healthychick101 – Ms Hemson’s Instagram page – was one she created two years ago ‘as a way of keeping accountable’
‘On social media you are always seeing inspiration from people who already have that body – they have already done it,’ she said.
‘But I think people felt they could relate to someone who was going through the same struggles as they were.’
Ms Hemson said one of the many benefits of her online community is that she not only supports others, they also offer her encouragement if she’s struggling.
‘If I am having a bad day, I will talk about it and get support.’
Ms Hemson said one of the many benefits of her online community is that she not only supports others, they also offer her encouragement if she’s struggling
As well as an embrace of healthy eating, Ms Hemson is more active than ever, revealing that these days she’ll work out five or six times a week.
The key to Ms Hemson’s success she said is ‘sticking to exercise she enjoys’. She won’t run, but she said she does a combination of circuit training, weights and HIIT.
As a health and fitness influencer, she takes her role seriously, but doesn’t try to push herself towards an unrealistic idea of body perfection.
The key to Ms Hemson’s fitness success she said is ‘sticking to exercise she enjoys’. She won’t run, but she said she does a combination of circuit training, weights and HIIT
Rather than strive for a perfect Insta-body, Ms Hemson wants her focus to be on creating healthy and sustainable ways of living
‘I always make a big point of loving myself enough to give my body what it needs.
‘It’s a mindset change, rather than thinking I hate my body and I need to lose all this weight, I love my body and I want to give it the right things.
‘Our generation is trying to make it cool for every single body. It’s not so important what you look like, it’s the health side that’s important.’
While she admits over the course of two years she’s lost around 30 kilograms (she currently weighs 85 kilograms), she said she would still like to lose a bit more – not just because of how it looks but because it means other things, like being able to train for longer.
‘Our generation is trying to make it cool for every single body. It’s not so important what you look like, it’s the health side that’s important,’ she said
‘I am definitely comfortable in my body, but seeing it change and tone up more and look healthier as well, keeps me moving toward my goal.’
Ms Hemson urges those considering embarking on a health journey, to alter their attitude towards wellbeing, and the rest she says will follow.
‘No matter who you are, or what your ability, you always have the choice to make your life a healthy one.
‘It’s as simple as cutting out fizzy drinks or adding veggies into your dinner.’
The 21-year-old now follows a simple eating plan, which includes plenty of water, vegetables, protein from non-meat sources and limited white carbs.
‘Remember you need to do it because you love your body and want to treat it well. Change your mind set, and you’re away,’ she concluded.