Paula Madigan, a high school teacher from Newcastle, NSW, used to love munching on potato chips. But when this 40-year-old mother of one knew it was time to lose weight, she decided to crunch on salads instead … and she’s lost more than 20kg!
“I never wanted to be a skinny mini; just smaller and healthier,” Paula explains. “I knew I was overweight but it hadn’t really worried me — until I saw photos of myself at my surprise 40th birthday party.
“Then I thought I’ve got to do something. It was ridiculous, I felt I didn’t play enough with my daughter, Sophie, who’s five.
“I’ve been on lots of different diets before but hadn’t tried for a long time because nothing worked. Anyway, I read about Betalife and saw their website and it just sounded like my sort of diet — and I’ve never looked back. Nothing was going to stop me this time around!
“At school, I used to have lots of convenience meals — instant noodles and meals you could heat up, all pre-prepared and processed.
“My favourite snack was potato chips, I’d have a pack every day. But now about 70 percent of what I eat is raw and natural, like salads, fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds. If I don’t have a salad, I miss it. I need that crunch factor!
“And every night — even if I’m tired and have just finished marking papers at 10pm — I’ve got to do my 30 minute workout on either the elliptical trainer or rowing machine that I have at home.
“I have heaps more energy; a real bounce in my step. People say I’m standing taller and that my skin’s glowing — even that I look 10 years younger!”
Paula’s vital statistics
Weight before: 99kg
Weight after: 76kg
Total weight loss: 23kg
Clothing size was: 22
Clothing size is now: 14
Paula’s hot diet tip
“Breakfast is so important. A good breakfast keeps you going for the day. Also, you have to make time for exercise.”
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