A young mum-of-three who ‘felt like an 80-year-old trapped in a 35-year-old body’ has shed shed a staggering 33 kilograms without marathon workout sessions.
Maggie Skamvougeras, from Sydney, wore size 22 clothing and lived on a diet of convenience foods, sugary or salty snacks and takeaway meals.
At her heaviest, she couldn’t walk without feeling pain in her knees and ankles.
She tried every diet under the sun but was never able to shift any serious weight.
But after the birth of her third child three years ago, she decided to get on top of her weight once and for all.
A young mum-of-three who ‘felt like an 80-year-old trapped in a 35-year-old body’ has shed five dress sizes without marathon workout sessions
Her turning point came after she saw a picture of herself at her daughter’s Christening.
‘I looked at the photos and I felt like I was looking at a stranger. The person I was looking at was not the person I felt I was on the inside,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
She credits a ketogenic or low carbohydrate that also saw her cut out sugar – but fill up on high-fat foods.
And in just nine months she slimmed down to a size 12.
She tried every diet under the sun but was never able to shift any serious weight so after the birth of her third child, she was determined to get on top of her weight once and for all
Before her incredible weight loss, Maggie said she her diet consisted of eating ‘whatever’ she felt like with no consideration taken to the nutritional content.
‘I was trapped in my own body and was screaming to be let out. My body was failing me. My knees and ankles hurt when I walked, and I couldn’t run around and play with my three beautiful little girls. This was the biggest hurt of all and became my biggest “why”.’
The 38-year-old mum-of-three now looks unrecognisable after she slimmed down to a size 12
At her heaviest, she couldn’t walk without feeling pain in her knees and ankles. She wore size 22 clothing after she lived off an unhealthy diet of convenience foods, sugary or salty snacks and takeaway meals
She credits ketogenic diet for her astonishing body transformation after she cut out sugar, ate minimal carbs but filled up on high fat foods
She tried every diet imaginable – but nothing seemed to work.
‘I felt restricted and I constantly felt like I was reminded that I was on a diet,’ Maggie said.
The mum – who was suffering from constant pain and exhaustion – said she noticed her weight dropped off quickly when she started the keto diet.
‘I found this quite easy to follow and it wasn’t obvious that I had cut back on a food group when I was out and with other people,’ she said.
‘I started making small changes every day that have since turned into lifelong habits.’
Within nine months, she’d lost 10 kilos.
Feeling motivated, Maggie – who documents her incredible body transformation on Instagram – started exercising and continuing to follow a healthy keto meal plan.
‘I have lost 33kg,’ she said.
‘The trick with keto is being prepared so make sure you always have some keto-friendly treats handy for when you need something sweet. It is possible to have the occasional guilty pleasure,’ she said, adding her go-to snack brand is Locako.
‘Locako makes the most delicious brownie bites which meet strict keto guidelines and have the added bonus of probiotics.’
The 38-year-old – who now looks unrecognisable after she slimmed down to a size 12 – can now keep up with her three young daughters after she transformed her body
The mum – who was suffering from constant pain and exhaustion – said she noticed her weight dropped off quickly when she started the keto diet three years ago
Feeling motivated, Maggie started exercising and continuing to follow a healthy keto meal plan. Within three years, she lost a total of 33 kilos
She now feels happier and healthier than ever before (pictured with her husband)
Looking back at old pictures of herself, Maggie – who now works as a fitness coach at F45 Training – said she remembers feeling ‘uncomfortable’ in her own skin.
‘When I see before and after photos side by side, it makes me sad to see that I really didn’t realise how much I was missing out on in life. It was like my life was a movie and I was just watching it pass by rather than playing a part in it,’ she said.
For anyone thinking about losing weight, Maggie said: ‘Find something that you enjoy, make small changes and be consistent.
‘If you fall off the wagon and have a bad day, don’t worry because tomorrow is a new day. Have faith in yourself and remember, your dreams minus your doubts are your reality,’ she said.
‘There are no quick fixes but if you find something that you enjoy, that makes you feel good and that you can sustain, you’ll have a better chance of sticking with it and living a healthier life.’