ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
Australia Is Letting People Use Emojis On Their Car License Plates
Watch 0:42

Australia Is Letting People Use Emojis On Their Car License Plates

{headline}

{headline}

How a pair of undies saved my life!

How a pair of undies saved my life!

How Instagram helped me shed 63 kilos

How Instagram helped me shed 63 kilos

I lost 96 kilos after being trapped on a plane seat

I lost 96 kilos after being trapped on a plane seat

I used to spend $100 a day on junk food – look at me now!

I used to spend $100 a day on junk food – look at me now!

{headline}

{headline}

66 kilo woman shares: how I halved my body weight

66 kilo woman shares: how I halved my body weight

I was fat-shamed by my patient so I halved my size

I was fat-shamed by my patient so I halved my size

Weight loss miracle: How I lost 92kg

Weight loss miracle: How I lost 92kg

{headline}

{headline}

65kg gone: I was TOO FAT for Movie World

65kg gone: I was TOO FAT for Movie World

Woman’s dramatic transformation: how I lost 50 kilos

Woman’s dramatic transformation: how I lost 50 kilos

The shrinking bride: How one woman lost half her body weight

The shrinking bride: How one woman lost half her body weight

(Sponsor)

47 kilos gone – Now my bullies want to date me!

47 kilos gone – Now my bullies want to date me!

Inspiring photo of 100kg mum sparks outpouring of support

Inspiring photo of 100kg mum sparks outpouring of support

One simple swap and I lost 90 kilos!

One simple swap and I lost 90 kilos!

  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle

I lost 55 kilos… eating Snickers!

This is SO amazing. - by Sarah Firth
  • 16 Aug 2018

Victoria changed her life while still eating chocolate!

Here, Victoria Bowen, 27, tells the story in her own words.

Sitting on the picnic rug, I probably looked like I was enjoying a day out.

My husband, Shannon, 32, was tearing after our boys Brodie, then three, and Rylan, one. Smiling at them, I tried to hide how low I felt.

They’re having so much fun, I thought, watching them. Desperately wanting to join in, I didn’t have the puff.

A size 24, I couldn’t take them down the slippery dip. So I looked on as they went down in Shannon’s lap.

The truth was, since I’d fallen pregnant with Brodie, I’d piled on the kilos.

Taking ‘eating for two’ to heart, I ate big portions and mindlessly snacked on blocks of chocolate when I sat down to watch TV. Well, the baby needs to grow, I told myself.

When our bub arrived nine months before our wedding, we were over the moon. ‘I’d like to lose the baby weight before our big day,’ I said to Shannon.

‘I don’t care what size you are,’ he said. ‘You’re perfect.’

Swapping vows in my white dress, I felt a million dollars. But when I saw some photos the next day, my heart sank.

The image in my head didn’t match what the camera had captured. I was so much bigger than I imagined. 

weight loss change

What a difference!

Determined to get fit, my plan was thwarted when I found out I was expecting again just a few weeks later.

I didn’t eat for two this time, but once Rylan came along, I had my hands full with two boys.

Thinking I was being healthy, I’d skip breakfast and have coffees instead. Then I’d make a wrap for lunch, not realising how much fat was in my cheese and extra mayo.

Dinner was meat and veg, but I’d treat myself with dessert at the end of the day.

‘Let’s go for a walk,’ Shannon said on weekends. I didn’t have the energy though, so I hid away. But that day, when I’d finally made it to the park, I made a promise to myself. You are not missing out on time with your kids, I vowed. These moments were too precious.

The very next morning, I strapped the boys in their double pram and went out for a walk.

With a sturdy rain cover, we went out in all weathers – even if I’d been up all night with Rylan. And each day I went a little bit further.

Swapping my wraps and coffees for fresh and wholesome food, I noticed my clothes were looser and my mood improved.

After six weeks, I stepped on the scales for the first time in years. Then, I burst into tears. 116 kilos! I’d had no idea!

I must’ve been over 120 before, I realised, horrified.

When I’d met Shannon, aged 19, I’d been 75 kilos. There was a long way to go to get the old me back. I need to step this up, I thought.

So I started going to boot camp on Saturday mornings. Rowena, the trainer, put me through my paces and soon I was breathless, but thrilled with what I’d done.

Weight kept falling off, but I was gaining muscle too.

Then, after a year, I plateaued at 90 kilos. ‘What are you eating?’ Rowena asked. ‘I’ve been good,’ I said, showing her my food diary. ‘Only 900 calories a day.’

change

I feel like a new woman.

To my surprise, Rowena looked like she was about to have a heart attack. ‘That’s not enough!’ she exclaimed. ‘You should be eating about 1200. You need fuel for muscle.’ She’s nuts, I thought. Surely I shouldn’t be eating more food. But I trusted her, so I started having bigger portions. I could even have treats like Snickers bars because there was protein in the nuts!

Then, last year, I hit my dream weight of 75 kilos – down 45 kilos. Best of all, I had heaps of energy to run after the kids. I had a bit of loose skin, but my health was way more important.

Not wanting to stop there though, I decided to get serious about weightlifting.

Training hard, I tracked exactly how much fat, carbohydrate and protein I was eating and prepared all my meals in advance, too.

Even eating Snickers four days a week, I lost another 10 kilos!

In July this year, I stepped on stage in a body building competition. With Shannon and my family cheering me on, I felt incredible.

I’ve come so far, I realised. I wouldn’t recognise myself. And the boys wouldn’t either. Seeing an old photo of me, they looked confused.

‘Who’s that, Mummy?’ they both asked together. ‘Me!’ I told them.

Now, I share my story on Instagram, @tor.gets.fit, to help other people trying to get in shape. Life’s too short not to take that first step.

family photo

Brodie, me, Shannon and Rylan

Read more in this week's issue of that's life!, on sale now.

Sarah Firth
Sarah Firth is Features Writer for that’s life! With 10 years experience in journalism and digital content production, she specialises in inspiring, thought-provoking, and quirky real-life stories

BIG SUMMER SALE – NOW ON

Just $12 for 4 issues

SAVE 14% Subscribe Now
BIG SUMMER SALE – NOW ON
  • Lifestyle
  • Health
  • Weight Loss

Recommended to you

Australia Is Letting People Use Emojis On Their Car License Plates
Watch 0:42

Australia Is Letting People Use Emojis On Their Car License Plates

{headline}

{headline}

How a pair of undies saved my life!

How a pair of undies saved my life!

How Instagram helped me shed 63 kilos

How Instagram helped me shed 63 kilos

I lost 96 kilos after being trapped on a plane seat

I lost 96 kilos after being trapped on a plane seat

I used to spend $100 a day on junk food – look at me now!

I used to spend $100 a day on junk food – look at me now!

{headline}

{headline}

66 kilo woman shares: how I halved my body weight

66 kilo woman shares: how I halved my body weight

I was fat-shamed by my patient so I halved my size

I was fat-shamed by my patient so I halved my size

Weight loss miracle: How I lost 92kg

Weight loss miracle: How I lost 92kg

{headline}

{headline}

65kg gone: I was TOO FAT for Movie World

65kg gone: I was TOO FAT for Movie World

Woman’s dramatic transformation: how I lost 50 kilos

Woman’s dramatic transformation: how I lost 50 kilos

The shrinking bride: How one woman lost half her body weight

The shrinking bride: How one woman lost half her body weight

(Sponsor)

47 kilos gone – Now my bullies want to date me!

47 kilos gone – Now my bullies want to date me!

Inspiring photo of 100kg mum sparks outpouring of support

Inspiring photo of 100kg mum sparks outpouring of support

One simple swap and I lost 90 kilos!

One simple swap and I lost 90 kilos!

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Pacific Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Instyle
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Health
  • Men’s Health
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
© 2019 Pacific Magazines