ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle

66 kilo woman shares: how I halved my body weight

She shares the simple swap she used to drop her size. - by Sarah Firth
  • 05 Jul 2018

Feeling fed up, Louise made a simple swap.

Here, Louise Alroy, 27, tells the story in her own words.

In my bold leopard-print maxi dress, I must’ve looked full of confidence.

But the truth was, I was miserable. At 24, I was a size 22. I’d felt so self-conscious going out with my mates, I’d ended up pushing them away. And now I felt exhausted all the time too. Something has to change, I thought.

So in September 2015, I stepped on the scales to face facts. I’d put off this moment for so long and when I saw the display, my heart sank. 132 kilos!

Feeling daunted, I had no idea where to start. For years, I’d used food to perk me up. Scoffing pizza, takeaways and chocolate, I’d feel better the moment the food touched my tongue. But later, I’d hate myself.

before and after

Before: 132 kilos (left) Now: 66 kilos (right)

Supplied

No more, I decided, feeling determined. Drinks and brunches were out, gym sessions and healthy food were in. When I told my mum, Suzanne, 53, she was so supportive. ‘You can do it,’ she said.

Pulling on a baggy t-shirt and leggings, I went to the gym for the first time in years. As I walked in, I was sure all eyes would be on me. Everyone seemed so fit, whereas I was easily worn out – and huge. What do they think of me? I fretted. But I needn’t have worried.

Walking on the treadmill, no-one gave me so much as a second glance. As well as hitting the gym three times a week, I got to work in the kitchen. Throwing out junk and convenience foods, I filled my fridge with fresh vegies and non-processed meat. From now on, I’m going to make everything from scratch, I vowed. If I cooked it myself, I’d know exactly what was in it.

Going online, I searched for nutritious recipes. Then, I made time in the evening to rustle up chicken and sweet potato with healthy greens. Being organised meant I stuck to my new routine and I stopped ordering takeaways.

At first, I missed the strong artificial flavours I was used to and craved sugar. And, for a few weeks, I often felt sick and tired. I was like an addict going through withdrawal!  But seeing the numbers on the scale fall in front of my eyes spurred me on.

In three months, I’d lost 15 kilos. Thrilled my efforts were paying off, I realised I didn’t just want to lose weight. I want to get strong, I thought, with a new goal in mind.So I decided to get myself a personal trainer.

‘I need help,’ I said to the gym receptionist, Amanda. ‘I’d love someone to guide me and help keep me on track.’

To my relief, she didn’t laugh at me or even seem surprised. Paired up with a trainer called Shaun, he showed me how to hold the weights and bar.

‘We’ll start with squats,’ he explained, making sure I got to grips with the basics.‘How does it feel?’ he asked, as I lifted the weights. ‘Good!’ I said.

To my surprise, I was actually enjoying myself. After that, I got hooked on my gym sessions. Still daunted by how far I had to go, Shaun had a really good idea. ‘Let’s just focus on 10 kilos at a time,’ he said.

before and after 2

Now I'm no longer afraid of the camera

Supplied

When I got under 100 kilos, it was a huge milestone. Seeing my tummy and legs shrink and my muscles become more defined was a real boost. I can do this! I thought.

It wasn’t all perfect, I did have stretch marks and a bit of loose skin. For a moment, I wondered if I should get surgery. No, I quickly thought. I’m going to love myself as I am. Nothing could dent my new-found confidence.

After 18 months of hard work, I was over the moon when I reached my goal weight – 66 kilos. ‘I’m half the person I was before!’ I said to Shaun. ‘And it’s all thanks to hard work and home cooking.’ I felt amazing.

Looking back, before I lost weight I was on the road to an early grave. Now, instead of feeling fed up, I am so full of beans. Inspired by how much Shaun helped me, I qualified as a personal trainer.

Now a size 8-10, and no longer afraid to smile for the camera, I share my journey on my instagram page, @misslulu_lifts. I’m loving life and I want to help others to do the same!

misslulu_lifts View Profile
276 likes - View Post on Instagram
Excited that I'm now the lightest I have ever been in my life! I have more than halved my starting body weight...currently sitting in my mid 60s! 10 days to go! #transformationtuesday

Gripping podcast How I Survived this week features Rhonda Stapley who accepted a lift from the world’s worst serial killer, Ted Bundy, and lived to tell the tale. Subscribe via Omny: https://bit.ly/2Kshzch  or iTunes: https://apple.co/2KKusdT

How I Survived: that's life launches podcast

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

Sarah Firth
Sarah Firth
Sarah Firth is deputy features editor for that’s life! and has written for the Nottingham Post, Chat magazine, that's life! in the UK, Kidspot and The Sun online.

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

65kg gone: I was TOO FAT for Movie World

65kg gone: I was TOO FAT for Movie World

I lost 55 kilos… eating Snickers!

I lost 55 kilos… eating Snickers!

How a pair of undies saved my life!

How a pair of undies saved my life!

Woman’s dramatic transformation: how I lost 50 kilos

Woman’s dramatic transformation: how I lost 50 kilos

{headline}

{headline}

How Instagram helped me shed 63 kilos

How Instagram helped me shed 63 kilos

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

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

I lost 96 kilos after being trapped on a plane seat

I lost 96 kilos after being trapped on a plane seat

{headline}

{headline}

I lost 113kgs to be a better dad

I lost 113kgs to be a better dad

How I halved my body weight

How I halved my body weight

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!

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

I halved my weight working at maccas

I halved my weight working at maccas

The photo that changed my life

The photo that changed my life

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!