A bride is almost unrecognisable after shedding more than 30 kilograms in advance of her wedding day so she could fit into her dream ‘one of a kind’ size 8 wedding dress.
Ebony O’Connor, from Melbourne, had always struggled with her weight, but after the birth of her son two years ago, she tipped the scales at her heaviest yet – 85 kilograms.
The 25-year-old shed 31 kilos in just 13 months to fit into her dream dress – which she purchased in a size 8 for motivation to lose weight.
A bride is almost unrecognisable after shedding more than 30 kilograms in advance of her wedding day so she could fit into her dream size 8 wedding dress (pictured before and after)
The 25-year-old shed 31 kilos to fit into her dream dress – which she purchased in a size 8 for motivation to lose weight (pictured on her wedding day)
Ebony said she ‘bought the size 8 dress because it was the only one in stock of that type and I fell in love with it, I knew it was the one!’ (pictured in 2015 and in 2018)
‘I bought the size 8 dress because it was the only one in stock of that type and I fell in love with it, I knew it was the one!,’ Ebony told FEMAIL.
‘I wanted to lose weight after having my son and the dress was the perfect goal to fit into by my wedding day.
‘I was a size 16-18 when I bought it.’
Despite having never exercised or trialled any diets previously, the mum-of-one said she was confident she could shake the weight – and so signed up to the weight loss program, The Healthy Mummy (pictured throughout her weight loss journey)
She swapped ‘McDonalds, Hungry Jacks and KFCs’ for healthy meals from the program, and it wasn’t long before Ebony saw a change in her body and mind (pictured with her family)
After purchasing her $2,000 off-the-rack dream dress from Jullia Bridal, Ebony set about losing the weight.
Despite having never exercised or trialled any diets previously, the mum-of-one said she was confident she could shake the weight – and so signed up to the weight loss program, The Healthy Mummy.
‘I was following The Healthy Mummy on Facebook while I was pregnant with my son, and was determined to give it a go when he was born,’ Ebony said.
‘I loved how supportive the community looked and this was one of the main reasons I tried it.’
Ebony started eating and drinking smoothies and wraps, and took up daily walks with her pram – she then started going to the gym three times a week (pictured before)
She said she is ‘all about replacing unhealthy foods with healthier alternatives’ and has also learned lots about education around food and nutrition (pictured on her wedding day)
Swapping takeaways like ‘McDonalds, Hungry Jacks, KFC and two minute noodles’ for healthy meals from the program, it wasn’t long before Ebony saw a change in both her body and her mind.
‘I was eating smoothies for breakfast made from The Healthy Mummy smoothie mix, fruit, nuts and seeds,’ she said.
‘Lunch was typically another smoothie or fruit parfait. Otherwise, it would be wraps or leftovers from dinner. Dinners were from the app.
‘It’s all about replacing unhealthy foods with healthier alternatives.’
Ebony said: ‘I soon noticed the difference in my physique and within 13 months, I had lost 31 kilograms’ (pictured before and after)
Ebony said her friends were surprised when they saw her new physique (pictured on her hen do)
The 25-year-old coupled this new approach to diet with regular exercise.
Ebony said she started with ‘daily walks with my son in the pram and exercises from the Challenge app while Kaius was asleep’.
‘As my fitness improved, I started going to the gym three time a week doing Les Mills classes and now I go twice a week for Body Combat and Body Pump,’ she said.
‘I soon noticed the difference in my physique and within 13 months, I had lost 31 kilograms.’
When it came to her wedding day, Ebony said the day was ‘perfect’ and ‘for once, I was excited to take photos’ (pictured with her family)
When it came to her wedding day, Ebony said the day was ‘perfect’.
‘It was everything I ever dreamed it would be. I felt like a princess and I will never forget the look on my husband’s face as I walked down the aisle to marry him.’
Ebony said the day ‘really was a dream come true, and for once, I was excited to take photos’.
The now 54 kilogram mum said she has also gained so much education around what food and drink is good for your body, and how best you should nourish yourself.
As for her guests, Ebony said they couldn’t believe how much weight she had lost.
‘They couldn’t believe it,’ she said.
‘I cried when I tried my dress on. I couldn’t believe I was looking at myself. It’s a great feeling and sense of accomplishment.’
To find out more about The Healthy Mummy, you can visit the website here.