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I couldn’t climb the stairs without collapsing, but now I’ve lost half my weight – here’s my advice to others

I couldn’t climb the stairs without collapsing, but now I’ve lost half my weight – here’s my advice to others

A WOMAN who was forced to sleep on the sofa because stairs were too difficult has lost almost half her weight.

Ash Mac, a 32-year-old makeup artist from Melbourne, Australia, once weighed 18 pounds (115 kg) and measured a size 22.

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Ash Mac was weight conscious and wore a size 22Credit: TikTok/@amacmakeup

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The 32-year-old said she felt ‘disgusted’ with herselfCredit: TikTok/@amacmakeup

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She made lasting changes and lost 6 pounds (41.7 kg) in about a yearCredit: TikTok/@amacmakeup

But today, Ash wears a size 12 and weighs 11lb 9 (73kg), losing an incredible 6lb 8 (41.7kg) – and all by changing his diet and activity levels.

One of the most touching moments of her journey came when a friend told her, “You’re walking with purpose now,” which Ash considers the greatest compliment she’s ever received.

Ash says she’s always had a “complicated” relationship with food.

“Even when I was a kid, I struggled with portion control,” Ash explained.

“During my teens and 20s, I tried every fad diet and weight loss method imaginable, but nothing ever worked long term.

“I was stuck in this ‘all or nothing’ mentality.

“I would get frustrated and give up if I didn’t see results quickly enough. This disappointment would simply push me back to comfort eating, and the cycle would start again. »

Years of overeating took a toll, affecting not only Ash’s self-esteem but his physical health as well.

“I started experiencing unbearable pain in my back and hip,” Ash said.

“After a series of tests, my doctor discovered that my vitamin D levels were low, which was affecting my bone density, which only made the pain worse.

I was so fat I had to swing just to get up – after years of consuming 15,000 kcals every day, I lost 14

“The more weight I carried, the more difficult tasks, even the simplest ones, became.

“Walking, moving, even climbing stairs, everything hurt. It was so bad that I was practically immobilized by the pain.

“I had to sleep on the couch because I physically couldn’t walk up the stairs without collapsing.”

For Ash, the turning point came when his partner, Andre, decided to take charge of his own health.

I broke down, had a panic attack and felt disgusted with myself. I decided enough was enough and it was time to make some major, serious changes.

Ash

“Andre started his weight loss journey in May 2023,” Ash recalls.

“He found himself an online coach and started a very strict and rigorous diet.

“I could see it working so well for him – he’s already lost 77 pounds (34 kg) and (I) felt absolutely helpless on the sidelines not being able to improve in the same way.

“I had already given so many excuses not to dive, and I had completely had enough.

“I broke down, had a panic attack and felt disgusted with myself. I decided enough was enough and it was time to make some serious major changes. »

The first change Ash made was adjusting his diet.

She says: “Before losing weight, although I ate lots of fruit and vegetables, I didn’t know when to stop and had difficulty recognizing when I was full.

“I had no concept of nutrition either and was always eating out and eating takeaways.

“Now I have a much better handle on portion control and am more mindful of my nutrition.

“I meal prep every Sunday for the entire week (every meal) to stay on track and not fall back into bad habits out of convenience or laziness.”

With her diet under control, Ash focused on exercise, saying: “Learning to love moving my body has been a big challenge.

“But the more I did it, the easier it became.

“Currently, I go to the gym 2-3 times a week, walk daily and play field hockey twice a week. It evolved from being absolutely petrified to step into a gym (let alone work out), to running 5km a week and lifting weights with confidence.

“I played hockey growing up and had a 10-year hiatus due to lack of confidence and weight gain.

“Losing weight makes me feel confident getting back on the field, and I probably enjoy it more now than I ever did when I was younger.”

Ash admits that her weight fluctuates and she hasn’t yet reached her “target body.”

She says: “I still have weight I want to lose, and I’m going to take it slowly and steadily to make sure it lasts.

“I also have a lot of loose skin around my chest, stomach and arms, which I hope will tighten up a bit with exercise. I want to be the best version of myself mentally, to be comfortable in my own skin, whatever my size.”

When asked what advice she would give to people who are struggling to lose weight, Ash says, “Take it one day at a time and choose to show up even when it’s hard.”

“Not every day is easy, but if you can sit down and look at things objectively rather than emotionally, you will be better able to overcome setbacks when they inevitably arise.”

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The makeup artist wanted to change after her partner lost weightCredit: Cover images

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Ash, who goes to the gym 2-3 times a week, says: “The more I did it, the easier it became. »Credit: Cover images

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She hopes to lose more weight but is proud of how far she has comeCredit: Cover images

How to lose belly fat WITHOUT going to the gym or dieting

Chew your food

This mindfulness tip is used to focus your brain on the food you’re eating – how it tastes and feels – rather than scoffing at it. If the brain doesn’t register that you’ve eaten, you’ll soon want to eat more.

Lawyer per day

Eating avocado every day can fight visceral fat in women, which accumulates around stomach organs and can lead to diabetes, heart attacks and certain cancers, according to an Urbana-Champaign study from the University of Illinois involving 105 people.

Avoid carbonated drinks

Losing belly “fat” may simply be a matter of preventing bloating, which can be caused by soda. Instead, stay hydrated with water.

Reduce alcohol

Alcohol has no beneficial effects on our health or our figure. These are “empty calories,” meaning they contribute to your calorie intake without providing any nutritional benefit.

A hangover can also cause you to eat more fatty foods, while also deterring you from exercising.

Sleep more

Various studies have shown that if you don’t sleep well, it can lead to weight gain.

People are more likely to crave junk food when they’re sleep-deprived, because not only do they need an energy boost, but their appetite hormones are all over the place.

Reduce stress

Stress causes an imbalance of hormones, especially cortisol. This hormone has been linked to obesity and excess abdominal fat.

Find ways to reduce your stress to avoid what’s known as the “stressed belly.”