A 25-year-old woman whose weight escalated following years of partying has revealed she shed three dress sizes in an astonishing body transformation.
Tess Terpstra, from New Zealand, lived off an unhealthy diet of drinking and ‘eating whatever’ – a lifestyle that saw her tip the scales at 99 kilos at her heaviest.
Determined to get on top of her weight once and for all, Tess slimmed down to a size 10 after she ditched her unhealthy lifestyle for smaller food portions and daily workouts in her home.
Before her remarkable weight loss, Tess – who works as a report planner in administration – said her social lifestyle led to her weight gain.
Before and after: Tess Terpstra whose weight escalated following years of partying has revealed she shed three dress sizes in an astonishing body transformation
Like any young woman, Tess said she fell into the habit of eating out and drinking (pictured in her younger years partying)
‘It wasn’t something that happened overnight, it slowly crept up on me each year but I was busy just enjoying that lifestyle at the time, I didn’t realise how big I was getting,’ Tess told Daily Mail Australia.
Like any young woman, Tess – who documents her amazing weight loss journey @fitkiwitess – said she fell into the habit of eating out and drinking.
‘I had what I would call a pretty typical late teen and early 20s lifestyle – drinking and partying, eating fast food more often than not and I didn’t do any exercise,’ she said.
‘I would try to go for runs because I thought that’s what I needed to do to lose weight, but I would quickly give up as I hated running at the time.’
As her weight continued to pile on, she noticed she would be out of breath every time she took the stairs, and she started experiencing terrible reflux and bad asthma.
Determined to get on top of her weight once and for all, Tess slimmed down to a size 10 after she ditched her unhealthy lifestyle for smaller food portions and exercise
As her weight continued to pile on, she noticed she would be out of breath every time she took the stairs, and she started experiencing terrible reflux and bad asthma
Despite her lack of fitness, the young woman said she always thought she was a ‘pretty good eater’.
‘I would make my lunches and take them to work like sandwiches. I would snack on trail mix and fruits. But then the weekend would come around and I would eat whatever I wanted. I would just eat what I wanted, when I wanted,’ she said.
Tess said she was always ‘confident’ but things started to change when she found herself feeling uncomfortable in her clothes.
‘I’ve always felt really sound in who I am and my body, and have always been happy with my curvy figure,’ she said.
‘But I did notice at my heaviest, I was feeling more uncomfortable in my clothes, started to not want to be in pictures with friends and noticed my self confidence start to slip a little.’
Her turning point to lose weight came after she was diagnosed with fatty liver.
‘It came down to having a fatty liver, feeling tired and sluggish all the time,’ she said.
‘Also just growing up, as I got older different things became more important to me and deciding to look after myself is one of them.’
Tess said she was always ‘confident’ but things started to change when she found herself feeling uncomfortable in her clothes
As she turned her life around, Tess said she started eating smaller portions after educating herself about food and how to make better choices
As she turned her life around, Tess said she started eating smaller portions after educating herself about food and how to make better choices.
‘I’ve lost 25kg, but more importantly than just a number, I have kept it off and maintained my lifestyle which is so important,’ she said.
‘I wouldn’t say I cut out meals or drinks but I just became more aware of what I was putting in my body. I eat delicious food now, things I enjoy.
‘Weight loss or being healthy doesn’t mean you have to be boring with food. I just know my portion sizes now and really try my best to stick to them.’
Tess said she can enjoy everything without restricting herself of her favourite foods.
‘I don’t really see food as good or bad. I think a healthy balance of everything is important and to erase those guilty thoughts people associate with food,’ she said.
‘I’ll eat a doughnut, but I’ll just have one, then I’ll move on with my day and continue to eat well. You can still enjoy all foods, just in moderation.’
The power couple! Her husband Dan Terpstra, 24, has also lost weight, dropping 20 kilos
Before and after: Now when she sees her own reflection in the mirror, Tess said she feels happier about herself more than ever
She also signed up to Sweat with Kayla Itsines – a health and fitness workout app.
‘I really love what this program has helped me achieve, it fits in with my lifestyle, it’s not overly time consuming, it requires minimal equipment and I can do it from home,’ she said.
‘It’s hard work but after every workout I’m proud that I have pushed myself to my limit.’
Joining her on the weight loss journey was her husband Dan Terpstra, 24, who also decided to overhaul his lifestyle by losing 20kg.
‘We feel amazing too. He has indeed joined this lifestyle with me. He’s lost 20kg himself too so 45kg combined between us,’ Tess said.
Now when she sees her own reflection in the mirror, Tess said she feels happier about herself more than ever.
‘I am proud of myself, I’m proud of how far I’ve come, not just physically but mentally,’ she said.
‘I don’t want to be super restrictive, I just want to live a balanced lifestyle that I enjoy and I’m proud to say I’ve achieved that and so much more.
‘My confidence is great, I feel strong and healthy but on my terms, the way I want to feel which is important to me. That’s what I see when I look in the mirror.’
For anyone who wants to lose weight but don’t know where to start, Tess – who now weighs 75 kilos – said: ‘Just start small. The little things add up everyday’
For anyone who wants to lose weight but don’t know where to start, Tess – who now weighs 75 kilos – said: ‘Just start small.
‘The little things add up everyday, make yourself a step count that you aim to achieve, drink more water, find a form of exercise you enjoy, work with professionals and educate yourself,’ she said.
‘Education is key, as once you have it, it can’t be taken away. Do all the little things consistently everyday, it eventually becomes habit and in turn a lifestyle you create for yourself.
‘I am not an expert, this has taken years of trial and error, finding things I enjoy; what works for me and my life that has now led me to a better understanding and balanced lifestyle.
‘Do it for you, for your wellness, be consistent, and always remember your thoughts turn into actions, so make your thoughts positive, be thankful that you have the power to change your life.’