When she relocated to Australia a few years ago, foodie Becky Green explored the many delectable cuisines the country has to offer. As a result, her weight climbed slowly upwards until the long-time fan of the TV show harnessed The Biggest Loser Club to take her own personal journey and lose over 16kg.
Along with her long-time Aussie partner Tina, Becky moved to Australia four years ago from the United States. With so much going on, the regular gym-goer stopped exercising on a regular basis and continued taste testing the different foods, wines and beers that Australia has to offer.
Becky made a habit out of emotional eating, indulging to celebrate good times but also to make herself feel better when she was sad or bored.
Health benefits
When her weight reached the 80kg mark, Becky knew it was time to get serious. She was in her mid-fifties and knew she was lucky not to have any major health issues. “My father had been diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 54 and here I was at the same age, overweight and facing the real possibility of developing the condition. Everyone, including dad, was warning me that I had to lose weight if I wanted to avoid diabetes,” she said.
In the past, Becky had tried to lose weight with Weight Watchers but found the points system cumbersome. Last year, some of the women she works with as a specialist housing officer in Wollongong joined The Biggest Loser Club so Becky gave it a go too. “But, it was a half-hearted effort,” she said, “and unsurprisingly, I wasn’t successful.”
However, this year, Becky re-joined The Biggest Loser Club with a different mindset. “I was determined to take the advice I needed from The Club and do a great job.”
Losing it with the contestants
Having watched the US version right from the start, Becky was a big fan of the show’s positive philosophy. She felt that losing weight at the same time as the contestants might help her to gain some insight on her own challenges, plus she'd benefit from the motivational advice being offered daily from those in the know.
“At the same time, my individual Club plan was tailored to meet my personal needs and the diary was always there to guide me,” she said.
Soon, Becky understood that her breakfast-skipping ways weren’t helping her weight challenges and neither was her habit of snacking constantly. “I was free-feeding all day, I ate whatever looked good whether it was cheesecake or biscuits or my favourite, hot chips. I didn’t practice any self control at all.”
Click to enlarge photos
Becky before
Becky before
Becky after
Becky after
Becky after
True to the diary
This time, Becky was faithful to her Club plan (apart from a splurge or two during a holiday to New Zealand) and faithful to her diary – she typed all her foods into her online diary although she admits that she kept forgetting to add in her water intake.
In fact, the diary was Becky’s greatest guide because it allowed her to find out the amount of calories in her favourite foods and helped her to make better choices at restaurants.
The diary was also the source of the odd shock. "Coming from The States, I was brought up on popcorn. So when I typed movie popcorn into the diary, I was stunned to find that the calories in my mega pack of popcorn equalled a whole day of calories for me.”
But this didn’t mean the end of her favourite movie snack because now Becky smuggles home-popped popcorn into the cinema and benefits from a colossal calorie saving.
Nowadays, a typical day starts with a high-fibre cereal with soy milk and fruit. Lunch is usually crackers, tuna or chicken salad and fruit, and dinner could be turkey with vegetables, with yoghurt and fruit to finish. Cycling is Becky’s favourite form of exercise but she also lifts weights to strengthen her bones and build muscle.
Personal success
Although she hadn’t reached her goal weight by the time Australia’s first woman Lisa Hose was crowned The Biggest Loser, within six months of her start date Becky had lost an incredible 16.5kg, shrinking from 81.5kg. She's continuing towards her goal and she feels great.
“I think that the best thing about losing weight is probably the all-round lighter feeling – both emotionally and physically. I feel so much better about myself and I also look and feel better in my clothes.”
Becky made the decision at the start of her journey not to buy any new clothes until she reached goal weight. Now, she’s looking forward to a stylish new wardrobe.
Becky plans to stay with The Club for six months more as she settles into maintenance mode. She is determined to stay at a healthy weight for good and to feel just as great as she feels today.
“I have learned lots of things during my time with The Club, but especially that you have to persevere and be really consistent; you can’t go crazy too often. If you stick to your menu and calories, the weight will come off,” she said.
“The girls at work laugh at me because I seem to be eating all day, but now it is healthy stuff and I don’t feel hungry. About 10 of my colleagues have joined up because losing weight with The Club has been really easy for me and it can be for you, too.”