Roslyn lost 15.6kg

A devastating bereavement followed by a painful injury saw Roslyn Woods’ weight spiral out of control. Once she began swimming and got involved with The Biggest Loser Club, Roslyn regained her focus and she’s now fitter than ever. Plus, her incredibly positive attitude and her strong sense of humour are helping the whole family to flourish.

In her 20s, Roslyn Woods took charge of her weight issues. She used Weight Watchers to reach her ideal weight of 67kg and her success didn’t go unnoticed. The company encouraged her to become a Weight Watchers leader and she hoped that her long-term weight struggles were over.

Distressing loss

In 2006, Roslyn and her husband John lost their middle son Jack in a horrific car accident. Jack was just nine years of age. The shock of the family’s dreadful loss meant that, within a year, Roslyn regained around 10kg. “Weight Watchers closed my meetings down and my friends avoided me. I had lost a child – perhaps they felt that it could be contagious? I just fell into a heap at home and gained another six or seven kilos,” Roslyn said.

Six months later, Roslyn hurt her back in another accident. She was first at the scene when a truck ran off the road and tumbled down an embankment. In the chaos and darkness, Roslyn fell and damaged her spine. Sadly, the truck driver died soon afterwards.

As a result of the injury, Roslyn had to sleep sitting up and was in constant pain. She continued to comfort eat. “I ate whatever I wanted, however much I wanted and anything I liked," she said. "Everything except fruit that is – what’s fruit?”

Roslyn felt too tired to exercise, she was plagued by pimples and through lack of contact with her former friends, she felt more and more like a hermit. Plus, the only clothes that fitted her were her tracksuit pants – “got to love elastic waisted pants!” – and big T-shirts.

At a routine visit, Roslyn's back specialist asked her what exercise I she doing. She said she was walking and he suggested she try swimming.

Swimming lessons

Taking his advice, Roslyn joined her local pool. After two swim sessions, despite feeling a little discomfort, she was able to sleep lying down again. Just one week later, Roslyn says that she wouldn’t have known that she had ever had an injury.

Three months later, in March 2009, Roslyn bought her first pack of The Biggest Loser Club Shakes. “I was desperate to lose weight and I didn’t want to think about what I was going to eat; the shakes took the brain work out of it for me.”

Initially, she used the shakes to kick start her weight-loss, but she really enjoyed them and so continued. Then, a week after checking out The Club site, she joined up.

The weight came off pretty easily for Roslyn. She faithfully used the diary to log her diet and exercise and the whole family from husband John to the children Mikaela (15), and Quinn (10) supported Roslyn from the word go. “The whole family benefited from our healthier eating habits,” she said.

Roslyn even got her mum involved in her better-health plans. “My mum has trouble with her hips and is facing surgery in the next few years. She joins me at the pool and walks in the water. She has had very little pain in her hips since she began coming to the pool.”

Forum fan

The forums were a major hit with Roslyn. “I noticed a few people on the forums talking about the couch-to-5km run. They said they had started to run within nine or 10 weeks and I thought I would try it.

"I had always wanted to run, but didn’t really think I was capable of it. I was too top heavy and didn’t want to risk a head injury! Nevertheless, I invested in a good sports bra and I started training and I have never looked back.”

Roslyn completed the 5km and 10km programs and is now focussing on the 15km program. She said: “Who would have thought it – me, a runner? Mikaela and I recently ran 11km of the Royal Children’s’ Hospital Walk for The Kids, a 14km event, which is something we have done ever since Jack’s death. We even met up with a couple of forum friends afterwards which was great.”

Roslyn now runs four times a week, swims three times a week and uses her exercise bike twice a week. “I hate the exercise bike, but I love the effect it has on my body,” she said.

Now nudging 40, the farmer from Victoria loves the fact that she has taken full control of her life. “I feel fitter than I have ever felt in my whole life. When I lost weight with Weight Watchers, yes I was slim, but I was not fit. Now, I have muscles everywhere!”

From her starting weight of 86kg, Roslyn set her ultimate goal at 70kg. She has lost 15.6kg so far, which is 18.1% of her starting body weight.

“Back at the start of my journey 13 months ago, I felt that if I could get to 75kg I would be happy. Now I know that there is nothing stopping me from reaching 67kg. I have lost a total of 60cm from all over my body and those dreaded pimples have gone, too. I am no longer a hermit; in fact, I am out of the house more days than I am in.”

Today, Roslyn often starts her day with a shake for breakfast and has another at lunch. She chooses lean meat, chicken or fish and lots of vegies for dinner. Fruit, low fat muesli bars or low fat cheese on water crackers are her favourite snacks and Roslyn often has a skinny latte after she leaves the pool.

Take a tip

Sharing her three best tips for fellow weight losers, Roslyn said:

“You didn’t gain the weight overnight so you’re not going to lose it overnight either. It doesn’t matter how long it takes you, if you eat right, exercise and trust the program, you will lose the weight.

“The times when you feel like you can’t exercise or eat right are obviously the times you really need to.

“Your journey may take a while so just enjoy it – make it fun!!  Enjoy a new food, create a new recipe and try a new exercise.”

Friends on the forum

The forums opened up a whole new world of people who cared for Roslyn and were a major part of her success. “People on the forum understand what losing weight is all about and how a bad day can easily throw you off track. They can make you feel cared for, support you and give you a gentle shove when you need it. Or they will simply make you laugh," she said.

“Don’t be afraid to jump on the forums and introduce yourself or ask a silly question – I bet someone else is thinking of it too or has already asked it before you. There are a lot of like-minded people out there and they won’t judge – they will simply share their wealth of knowledge.

“Now, I am energetic and fit. My family have seen how happy I am and it makes them happy. I now have the confidence to make new friends but I also appreciate my alone time. Ultimately I feel strong physically and mentally and to my fabulous forum friends and family, thank you for standing with me throughout this journey.”