For 24 years Sandy McNamara has been battling with her weight.
Experiencing her fair share of ups and downs the 52-year-old mother of two has had multiple failed attempts at both shake and calorie restricted diets.
While it has been a long battle, Sandy has not been deterred from fulfilling her quest to return to a healthy weight.
The timing of encouraging words from her local GP and a friend sharing a post on Facebook inspired Sandy to try again. Now she’s seriously committed to getting healthier through Weight Watchers.
“I didn’t like the way I felt and I was always very tired. Looking back I am shocked to think of the things I couldn’t do because of my weight,” she said.
“I was going to South Side Medical and on one of my last visits a nurse told me not to give up and was really nice about it. As soon as I went outside I just started crying.
“On the same day I saw a Facebook post from a friend who shared the story of someone who had dropped 70kgs through Weight Watchers. I decided then and there that I was going to try again.
“My husband is also very supportive and he is right on board with everything I am doing. He eats what I make and is more than happy to go along with it.
“My other huge support is my best friend who lost weight through Weight Watchers and has stuck with me through ‘thick and thin’ for over 30 years, always encouraging me to be healthy.
“In the first week I started to see changes; I felt more energetic and my moods improved.”
Alongside the support from those around her, Sandy believes that setting goals and rewarding herself is what keeps her motivated.
“When I first started in November last year I was over 115kgs and now I am only 1.7kgs away from reaching my first goal of 100kg,” she said.
“As soon as I hit that goal my reward is to go and pick up a ring I put on lay by.
“I am calling it a Promise Ring because I have made a promise to myself to look after my health. Having it on my hand will always act as a reminder about the promise I have made.
“It’s important to reward yourself through things other than food and unhealthy habits when you reach the goals you set.”
While her journey is not yet over Sandy is determined to make this time work. She also has a message for those wanting to make changes but feeling defeated.
“Give yourself a break and don’t get down in the dumps,” she said.
“Don’t wallow and get so wrapped up in things not working.
“Stay positive and try and find a couple of people, whether it is on Facebook or a circle of friends, to inspire you to keep going.
“Also remember – as I remind myself – it takes years to get to the weight you are so it stands to reason it’s going to take time for it to come back off.
“Take photos and measurements as you go so you can go back and compare. The weight I have lost in 17 weeks took probably about 3 years to put on, if you look at things from this sort of perspective, it makes the difference.
“Lastly, always have another go and remember tomorrow is a new day.”