My weight struggle feels like it has been with me all my life. It started when my grandmother pointed out that I was bigger than other kids – aged 7. This was the first time I truly became aware of size. Through the years I have been bigger and smaller, depending on my handle on the situation. I am unfortunately one of those people that will have to actively take care of my body forever. In my 36 years, there has been 2 previous occasions where I have lost 25kg plus. The death of my beloved mom and my own divorce caused me to regain the weight in those two instances.

I lived overseas for 12 years and as we have a more active lifestyle in the UK, I remained slim for my time there. I even worked as a Slimming Consultant! My problems resurfaced when I returned to South Africa, which turned my life upside down. Food is in abundance and we use our cars for everything! Nothing was what I was use to and it was a very stressful time. Slowly the weight started creeping up and inside I was a very unhappy and sad person. If one more person said “but you have a very pretty face…” I might have done some real damage! I am a successful career woman that can do anything I put my mind to. Why could I not fix the one problem that stood between myself and my happiness?

A real turn was in May 2011. Life was starting to look up. I recently moved to Gauteng, loved my job and then met ‘The One’. Although he was very charming, he made it clear that I was larger than he was satisfied with. Although cruel, this was the wake-up I needed to make the change. I was NOT the sad, overweight person that he saw in me. I was adamant that I would change this. Our wedding date is 14th July 2012.

Settling for being overweight is like settling for second best in life. This was never going to be me.
With Cambridge Weight Plan in SA and my consultant support, I am going to make it all the way.