The inspiration that let me find me

Angie Williams from Joondalup in Perth lost 36.4kg and 123cm in 12 months. This is her story:

My journey started last August when I was looking for a new outfit to wear for my 44th birthday. I was cruising the shops trying to find a suitable tent and getting more and more depressed. I found myself having to upsize yet again, this time to a size 24 and I went home close to tears, without a purchase, vowing yet again to ‘start a diet tomorrow'.

At that time I was struggling to climb stairs without having to stop and catch my breath. I was taking up to 6 pills a day to combat migraines (which hit at least once a week and lasted for a couple of days). I had problems with neck and back pain and regularly took anti-inflammatory pills which in turn meant taking daily does of stomach medication. All up, I was spending upwards of $60 per month at the chemist.

I had once been an outgoing, confident woman and she had slowly slipped away.

My daughter and I were out at the shops and I remembered my sister-in-law nagging at me to check out her gym that she had joined. "It was a great place" she said "with lots of women my size going and getting great results". I knew where it was, but could I actually get up the courage to go in? I broached the subject with my daughter about going together. She agreed and said we should check it out.

The first time we walked through the doors we were greeted by a smile. Not a fake smile and a ‘what do you think you're doing in a gym' smile either. We had a look around and I was impressed. We made an appointment to go back for a consultation. I loved the fact that there was no pressure. We went back and the whole program was explained and the costs involved were laid out. There was a really positive vibe coming from this place and the people inside it made me feel confident about what I was about to commit to.

At home I looked at the costs and wondered how I could justify the expense, then my girl said, "Mum don't you think it's about time you spent something on yourself for a change?" It was at that point I realised that I really needed to do this for me. We signed the papers and made the appointment for our first session.

I remember that first session on the equipment I wondered when I had become a masochist. I kept wondering how I would ever get through 13 pieces of exercise equipment twice. I went on the cross-trainer and managed to peddle for 30 seconds. I felt like an idiot but I wasn't allowed to feel that way for long. The girls were so supportive telling me how it was the same for all newbies and that in no time I would be doing 10 minutes (Yep really believed that!).

I loved the first week on the detox program and lost 4kg. I felt like I had climbed Everest. The diet was a bit of a struggle at first. I had never been a lover of fruit and vegetables but I had fun with the planning of my daily menu. It took me about 6 weeks to acquire the taste for carrots and now I love them (still can't get a handle on cabbage though).

My colleagues couldn't believe how much food I now consumed and neither could I. I ate much more now than I ever did, but it was a healthy balanced diet that kept me satisfied.

It took about 4 weeks for me to start to enjoy the exercise and the fact that I was losing weight gave me the incentive to keep going. I loved the people at the gym and made friends. It's so much easier to endure the pain when you're laughing.

I do have to admit I turned into a bit of a "gym junkie", but it was so easy to do in this place. Kylie, Stacy, Bron, Deb and the other girls were amazing. They took a real interest in me and I made a whole new circle of friends. I found a ‘haven' where I could take time out to concentrate on me and my wellbeing, with people who really cared.

After the first few weeks I noticed I had only had one migraine. I started to realise my back pain had also decreased. After a couple of months I stopped taking my migraine and anti-inflammatory medication and in turn didn't need the stomach meds. Then I realised the cost of the membership was far cheaper than my monthly chemist bill!

At work my colleges thought I had been replaced. Not only did I look different, but my confidence was back. I could now join in sports and my youngest daughter was astounded to find out that her mum could run. We have twice-weekly circuit classes which I absolutely love. I inevitably end up hating Stacy or Bron for at least half an hour while they push me to do things I never imagined I would ever do with my body.

So far I have lost 36.4 kg and 123cm and I can comfortably fit in a size 12, with the help of my friends at Healthy Inspirations Joondalup. I can't sing their praises highly enough, although I make sure when asked how I became this completely new person, I tell everyone the place to go is "Healthy Inspirations" and they can help anyone change their life too.

My journey is not yet finished and I don't expect to stop going to "my second home" (as my daughter puts it) anytime soon.

I could not have found Me again without the special group of women who work at Healthy Inspirations Joondalup. I thank them all but especially Kylie, Stacy, Bronwyn and Deb without whom this journey would not have been made.