Young woman, 27, reveals how she dropped 56kg in only 12 months

It was only 12 months ago that Erin Hargans tipped the scales at 159kg after binge eating huge servings of unhealthy foods and never exercising. 

The 27-year-old business operations executive from Sydney, who started her weight loss journey in September 2020, told FEMAIL her starting weight was the heaviest she had ever been. 

‘After being stuck at home in lockdown last year I realised I wanted to lose weight purely to improve my health and lifestyle rather than how I look,’ Erin said.

‘I didn’t have a number on the scale I wanted to drop down to, but wanted to get my health back on track.’ 

After one year Erin managed to lose 56kg and dropped from a size 22 down to a size 12, and still works out twice a week with a fitness coach today. 

Erin Hargans, 27, (pictured) told FEMAIL she weighed 159.5kg in September 2020 – the heaviest she had ever been 

After 12 months Erin managed to lose 56kg and dropped from a size 22 down to a size 12, and still works out twice a week with a fitness coach today

After 12 months Erin managed to lose 56kg and dropped from a size 22 down to a size 12, and still works out twice a week with a fitness coach today

‘I knew I wanted to have a family one day and didn’t want any health complications to jeopardise this,’ Erin said. 

She fell into a ‘bad, vicious cycle’ of eating one large meal at the end of the day and snacked on sweets after being focused on her daily work tasks.  

‘I love my job and am very career driven however I wasn’t realising how I was treating my body,’ she said. 

As her weight gradually increased, Erin found it difficult doing day-to-day tasks and her ankles would hurt from walking too far.

In her early twenties she was also diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that likely contributed to her weight gain.

The hormonal changes in her body played a part in her craving sweets late at night.  

She fell into a 'bad, vicious cycle' of eating one large meal at the end of the day and snacked on sweets after being focused on her daily work tasks

She fell into a ‘bad, vicious cycle’ of eating one large meal at the end of the day and snacked on sweets after being focused on her daily work tasks

In her early twenties she was also diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that likely contributed to her weight gain too

In her early twenties she was also diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that likely contributed to her weight gain too

In September 2020 Erin decided to use gastric sleeve surgery as a tool to fast-track her weight loss – a process that involves removing a portion of the stomach to ensure the person eats less food.

She turned to the option of having surgery after trying fad diets and weight loss programs, including Weight Watchers, but nothing seemed to work.

With help from a dietitian Erin developed a new relationship with food and learnt how it can be used correctly to fuel the body.

‘The biggest focus post-surgery was my protein intake, and I didn’t cut out carbs but managed my portion sizes,’ she said.

‘I still ate sweets on occasion and was taught how to maintain a balanced diet.’ 

In September 2020 Erin decided to use gastric sleeve surgery as a tool to fast-track her weight loss - a process that involves removing a portion of the stomach to ensure the person eats less food

In September 2020 Erin decided to use gastric sleeve surgery as a tool to fast-track her weight loss – a process that involves removing a portion of the stomach to ensure the person eats less food

Erin’s ‘Day on a Plate’ today:

Breakfast: protein oats or protein shake, eggs on English muffin

Lunch: grilled chicken, salad and vegetables or a sandwich 

Dinner: a type of protein with vegetables or pasta  

Eight weeks after surgery she started going for walks the morning and evening to reach at least 10,000 steps a day.

For the first six months she lost between one to two kilos a week simply by managing a healthy routine.

Erin didn’t count calories but tracked her macros and food intake by using the popular app My Fitness Pal.

At the start of this year Erin joined a gym and started exercising with a fitness coach and she has now fallen in love with strength training using heavy weights.

Strength and conditioning training is a type of resistance training that focuses on lifting heavy weights for only a few repetitions to build muscle and improve overall strength. 

‘I feel so much healthier, stronger and fitter, which has strengthened my mental health significantly – I feel unstoppable!’ she said.

Erin plans to continue her weight loss journey to drop down under 100kg and beyond.  

With help from a dietitian Erin developed a new relationship with food and learnt how it can be used correctly to fuel the body

With help from a dietitian Erin developed a new relationship with food and learnt how it can be used correctly to fuel the body

Felling incredibly proud of what she has achieved, Erin offered her words of advice to others wanting to lose weight.

‘Stay true to your purpose and understand why you want to lose weight,’ she said.

‘Find your reasoning and do it for yourself, not anyone else.

‘For me it was the drive to have a healthy mindset and lifestyle that led me to where I am now.’

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