Losing my weight was something I had always desired and dreamed about. I would set New Year’s Resolutions every year and try every diet under the sun. I committed for small stints and once I even lost 30kg (only to put more than double that back on) – my weight loss became an elusive goal that was just seemed always out of my grasp.

I had all but given up, ready to settle for being fat, it was just who I was and I should just learn to live with it when in early 2007 I reached a point of desperation and I cried out to God for help, leading me to a scripture about “eating just vegetables and water for 10 days”. I obediently did just that and lost 7kg. Something triggered, I now wanted to lose the weight – I needed to lose the weight.

Then I met Lana at Fernwood Tuggeranong. Scared & embarrassed I attended a training session. I found Lana to be an amazing person who desired to see me succeed as much as I did. Her non-judgmental attitude and the genuine care she showed not only made me want to go for it but it was what supported me throughout my journey. Lana became my slim coach and had great advice, I started to lose small amounts but I knew I had not committed 100%, due to regularly traveling interstate for my business. Then I realised I would always have “excuses” why I couldn’t, but I needed to find “reasons” why I should.

The emotional part of my journey held the key to enable me to find the inner strength that would be the difference between success and failure. My life had been built on a past of childhood sexual abuse that had left me feeling unworthy, lacking confidence and later suffering depression. I realised I had a decision to make: “I had to lose the weight or lose the life I wanted to live” – either way I had to lose. There was really only one choice, I lost so much of life because of my past that I was not prepared to lose my future - so the weight had to go. I then did whatever Lana told me, she was the expert, and I obviously didn’t have the answers. It was like I had become one with my desire to get fit and lose the weight. I no longer had to think about it I just did it.

In around 12 months I lost 70kg and 7 dress sizes. I am fitter, healthier and have totally changed my lifestyle. It’s what I dreamed of and here I am living it. I can honestly say I have enjoyed every part of the journey, even the tough stuff, as it has caused growth in spirit, mind and body.

My journey has shown me how powerful our mind is, leading me to become a life coach and set up “Journey to Joy” a life coaching business to help others find the same success in all areas of their life. I believe that we all have the potential within to achieve much more than we have ever dreamt - we just need to learn how.