After struggling with her weight since her teens, Lauren says one of the key difficulties of going it alone was being trapped in a dieting cycle.

“I tried so many times to lose the weight on my own,” says Lauren. “I would starve myself, then give up days later. If I lost a bit, I always seemed to put more back on. Over the years I noticed I was gradually gaining a few kilograms at a time. It’s all the extra calories you don’t think about throughout the day. As a mum, you clean your own plate, then clean what’s on the kids’ plates too. I realised I hadn’t felt hungry in years, I was often just eating because I was bored.”

Before embarking on her LifeShape journey, Lauren remembers many areas of her life intersecting at just the right time.

“I was at a stage where my teenage boys were asking me to come running and mountain biking with them,” recalls Lauren. “I had a realisation that at some stage, this would come to an end and I had to take the opportunity while it was there. My husband and I had also been making long term travel plans for our retirement. But what was the point if I wouldn’t be fit enough to travel? So he encouraged me to join up.”

From the beginning, Lauren was quick to notice the key differences in the LifeShape program.

“From the word go, the support offered by the Clinic was tremendous compared to anything else I had tried,” says Lauren. “Losing weight is usually such a lonely journey. You feel like everyone else is eating and you’re not. However, with the LifeShape program, it’s a team effort. I never felt alone or deprived. I had someone dedicated to me every week to be there for me and keep me accountable. It was just a week between consultations, and if I needed help sooner, I could email my core Dietitian for help. Because I wasn’t starving all the time on a “diet”, I wouldn’t just give in to something unhealthy.”

As a busy mum of three, Lauren has also found the program easy to fit around her lifestyle.

“I can definitely see the benefits not just for me, but for my family,” says Lauren. “After my first consultation, I went home and cleaned out the pantry! My Dietitian also explained I didn’t have to make different meals. I simply made the same dishes, and served larger quantities for the family or added an additional starch for them. The kids’ lunch boxes look so much healthier now too and I can see the benefits of being healthier for them down the track.”

After her 18kg weight loss^, Lauren’s reaping the benefits of her hard work and tackling activities she wouldn’t have dream of before.

“To be honest, it wasn’t that hard,” admits Lauren. “Really, all it is in taking care of what you put in your body, and keeping active. I am feeling good about myself again, I’ve got my confidence back and I’m far more social now that I don’t feel like I have to cut myself off from my friends because of my weight. People keep saying how fantastic I look, so it’s fantastic to know my work has paid off.”

“I went mountain biking with the kids, which I previously had never been a part of. It was great to be involved in something they’re so passionate about. I am looking forward to doing more things now like more biking, going on a cruise and even wanting to be in togs in front of people!”

Importantly for Lauren, she feels armed with the tools to maintain her weight moving forward.

“I have a good grasp of what I need to do,” says Lauren. “I have tactics to get back on track and not fall into old habits. Having seen such huge progress I understand it’s ok to have a little “cheat”. If I want a hot cross bun, I have the occasional one when I really want one, not two every day. I’ve also opted for a maintenance program to lock in my healthy lifestyle change for the long term.”

Having achieved so many of her goals, Lauren is quick to tell people how she was able to get her health back on track.

“I recommend the program without any hesitation,” says Lauren. “I’ve recommended it to so many people. It obviously works, it’s very achievable, and the key difference is you can maintain it moving forward. We spend a fortune on clothes and going to the movies and such. It’s your long term health you’re talking about, why wouldn’t you spend the money on something so important?”

Most importantly for Lauren, she is now looking forward to a happier, healthier future full of new experiences with her family and friends.

“I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve given myself back to me,” says Lauren. “With my confidence back, I have a new found ability to go out and try new things. The barrier that was my weight is gone, and it’s opened up a whole new world for me.”

^Your results may vary. To find out what you can achieve on your LifeShape Program book a no obligation initial assessment with one of our Dietitians.