Mum-of-four Rebecca Jackson, 40, reveals how she banished her stubborn belly fat in just 16 weeks

A busy mum-of-four and clinical psychologist has shared how she banished her stubborn belly fat in just 16 weeks, and has gone from a size 16 to a slim size 6/8.

Rebecca Jackson, from Canberra, tipped the scales at 90 kilograms after the birth of her fourth child when she knew something had to change, and so she swapped irregular running and yoga for routine weights, Tabata, HIIT and Pilates classes.

Rebecca lost a staggering 16 kilos within the first four months of joining the weight loss program The Healthy Mummy and taking up the high intensity workout, Tabata, before she lost another 11 kilos over the course of one year.  

‘I’ve gone from pre-obese BMI to a healthy range,’ Rebecca told The Healthy Mummy. 

A busy mum-of-four and clinical psychologist has shared how she banished her stubborn belly fat in just 16 weeks, and has gone from a size 16 to a slim size 6/8 (pictured before and after)

Rebecca Jackson (pictured), from Canberra, tipped the scales at 90 kilograms after the birth of her fourth child when she knew something had to change

Rebecca Jackson (pictured), from Canberra, tipped the scales at 90 kilograms after the birth of her fourth child when she knew something had to change 

She added: ‘I have reduced my body fat from 43 per cent to 18 per cent.

‘Transformed my mindset from feeling ashamed and embarrassed by my body to empowered, confident and self-loving.’

‘I’m the strongest, leanest, fittest and healthiest I’ve been in my adult life.’

The 40-year-old joined The Healthy Mummy in 2017, after giving birth to her fourth child and finding herself the heaviest she had ever been.

‘I have struggled with weight my whole life since puberty,’ Rebecca admitted, but said it was worst after having kids.

Bec (pictured before and after) said one of the main things she credits for her success is Tabata, which is high intensity interval training

Bec (pictured before and after) said one of the main things she credits for her success is Tabata, which is high intensity interval training

What is Tabata? 

* Tabata is a popular form of HIIT (high-intensity interval training).

* You typically perform 20 seconds of exercise, before resting for 10 seconds and then repeating eight times.

* The Tabata regime can include any number of different exercises including burpees, push-ups, mountain climbers and high knees.

* The benefits of Tabata is that it is quick, it is more efficient than regular cardio and it doesn’t require equipment.

Source: Kayla Itsines 

So, she joined The Healthy Mummy started focusing on her nutrition and training, swapping junk food for smoothies and finding the time to fit in short bursts of exercise in between looking after her four kids. 

The Tabata exercise routines that she followed involved short blasts of intense exercise, firstly for eight minutes, then 10, 15, 20, 30 and finally 45-minute sessions. 

Tabata is a popular form of high intensity interval training that typically sees the person work out for 20 seconds, before resting for 10 seconds and repeating eight times. 

‘From struggling to do four minutes of Tabata I can now do 45 minutes of HIIT!’ Rebecca said.

‘Everyone in my family is calmer and more balanced as a result of my being healthier,’ she added.

She started focusing on her nutrition and training, swapping junk food for smoothies and finding the time to fit in short bursts of exercise in between looking after her four kids (pictured before and after)

She started focusing on her nutrition and training, swapping junk food for smoothies and finding the time to fit in short bursts of exercise in between looking after her four kids (pictured before and after)

After losing more than 20 kilos, Rebecca said she's plucked up the courage to wear dresses she hasn't worn for 20 years, and a bikini for the first time in decades (pictured before and after)

After losing more than 20 kilos, Rebecca said she’s plucked up the courage to wear dresses she hasn’t worn for 20 years, and a bikini for the first time in decades (pictured before and after)

What are Bec’s weight loss secrets? 

* Make time for exercise. Workouts like tabata and HIIT are great for getting the heart rate up.

* Don’t worry if you need to start slow. When she started, Bec said she was only able to do five minutes of HIIT; now she can do 45 minutes non-stop.

* Always drink at least two litres of water per day.

* Make balanced, nutritious meals and meal prep so there is always something healthy to eat in the fridge or freezer.

* Embrace smoothies as a way to flood your body full of nutrients, while staying satiated. 

After losing more than 20 kilograms, Rebecca said she has plucked up the courage to wear dresses she hasn’t worn for 20 years, as well as a bikini for the first time in decades. 

‘I’ve lost so much from this, including 27 kilograms, 170 centimetres, five dress sizes and all my negative self image,’ she said.

‘I’ve gained self acceptance, body confidence, health and fitness and friends. Never ever have I ever been able to wear a bikini until The Healthy Mummy.’ 

She knows that she needs to eat healthily and drink at least two litres of water each day to stay in shape, but also doesn’t deny herself a little of what she loves.

‘By almost 40 years old, I’d smashed goals I never even dreamed of,’ Bec said.

‘I lost 16 kilograms in my first four months of doing The Healthy Mummy and more than another 10 since then.

‘I hope someone can be inspired now by my pics and reap the benefits of the challenges and this community!’

To find out more about The Healthy Mummy, please visit the website here

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