From Fat To Fantastic

Forty three year old Kay Schipke has made dramatic improvements to her health and wellbeing. This is her tale of weight loss success

"I wondered if my kid's friends were making jokes about their fat mother. I just wanted to hide away at home." Like many women, Kay began gaining weight after the birth of her children. She lost 10 kilograms on her own, but over the years that followed, it returned until Kay realised she was 87 kilograms and heavier than she'd ever been.

With her weight gain, Kay felt very unattractive. "I didn't feel comfortable shopping for clothes because nothing fitted properly. I thought other people must be looking at me and thinking how fat I was. I just wanted to hide away at home. My self esteem was at an all time low and often I wondered whether my children's friends were making jokes about their fat mother. I was tired all the time and I just felt frustrated and powerless."

Kay's doctor had advised her that she was carrying too much weight and that she needed to lose it or risk her health. "I'd get short of breath easily, just walking up stairs for instance. My knees were under a great strain carrying my weight and I'd fallen four times, twice spraining an ankle and twice cracking my kneecaps."

For months Kay had seen a women's weight loss program called Healthy Inspirations advertised in her local paper, but one day she summoned up the courage to telephone them. She liked the convenience of having all four steps to success under one roof with flexible eating plans, women's only exercise, personal support and relaxation sessions.

"I knew I could never lose weight on my own because I'd tried and failed so many times already. Also, I have coeliac disease, so I could never try the schemes with prepared meals or menus, and my doctor told me that I couldn't use weight loss pills due to the medication I was taking. I was very happy when I found out that with Healthy Inspirations I could accommodate my dietary requirements by making my own menus from the food lists."

Kay says the eating plan was the easiest part of the Healthy Inspirations program. "Initially I felt like I couldn't get through the amount of food that was allocated; it was just too much and I couldn't eat it all."

Ellen Hayes, manager of Healthy Inspirations at Kenmore, has worked with many women just like Kay. "All credit must be given to Kay who remained absolutely focused throughout the entire program. Her determination, resolve and motivation have been rewarded tenfold in her amazing weight loss and newfound feeling of well being."

Weighing in now at 50 kilograms, Kay's physical health is no longer on the decline and her mental and emotional health has improved dramatically. "I no longer puff walking up stairs. I can run up them! My knees are not straining to carry my weight any longer and having increased my body strength with the exercise program, I enjoy walking again without fear of falling or injuring myself on uneven surfaces."

"I don't want to hide away anymore, and I don't get depressed, upset or stressed over small things like I used to. I have more energy now and I feel attractive again. I really do feel like I can do anything!. I can get my rings off my fingers for the first time in years, and don't make a dam in the bathtub anymore. I finally bought a swimsuit and can go swimming with my children - in 11 years I have never been swimming with my kids! The fantastic thing is, I don't need to feel embarrassed with my body anymore; in fact, I feel I can inspire other women to lose weight.

Healthy Inspirations works because you get to see your progress and every time you lose a bit, you are presented with an incentive to keep going. The Healthy Inspirations staff are so friendly and encouraging. They were always happy to see me and they were just as excited with my progress as I was! To anyone considering the program I'd say 'Just go for it. Make the start, don't give up and you too can achieve the amazing new lease on life that I have."