13 October 2023 , 08:02
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The Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown resulted in unhealthy habits for many and weight gain was one of the unfortunate side effects of being holed up inside for lots of people. With routines and working life massively disrupted and boredom at an all-time high, the contents of the fridge and treat cupboards were a dangerous temptation.
One woman found herself stuck in this rut and hadn't realised the weight had been slowly creeping on, until she hopped on the scales and they revealed she was over 13 stone (84kg) from her previous average of around 9 stone 4 lbs (60kg).
Christie Wills, 27, from Melbourne, Australia had no idea she was piling on the pounds and told news.com.au: "I can't really pinpoint one particular reason, but I guess I just stopped caring a bit about my health. I was eating whatever I wanted and stopped working out. I had no structure at all and just let myself go."
Christie before her weight loss and health kick journey (TIKTOK)
Christie after losing 30kg by walking (TIKTOK)After seeing a photo of when she was at her heaviest she didn't recognise herself but said it was "a huge wake up call" and the motivation she needed to do something about improving her health.
But as with many people embarking on a weight loss and health journey, Christie felt overwhelmed about where to start. So she decided not to complicate things and started by simply walking more.
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She had hurt her ankle so knew she needed to strengthen it first and began by doing around 4-5 miles (5-7km) a day, in all weathers. Coupled with her physically demanding job in retail giant Kmart, where she would often clock up 50 hours a week, it meant she was walking on average 30,000 steps per day.
The results were impressive: "I began slimming down quite quickly. It was so simple, but very effective. People really disregard the power of a humble walk, but it's such great exercise. I managed to lose 20kg just by walking." Once she was well on her way to a fitter, more healthy version of herself, she started doing some weight training in the gym. She said not only did it improve her physical form but her mental health improved too and she felt "incredible".
Christie also knew she had to address her bad eating habits, which had formed thanks to the long hours she worked. Relying on fast food for convenience, she would pick up a McDonalds at the drive through at least four times a week, tucking into burgers, fries and fizzy drinks. Cutting out her "addiction" to fast food and replacing it with balanced meals of protein, fats and carbs, has improved Christie's health even more, although she says she still treats herself every now and then.
"I don't deprive myself, and still enjoy treats on occasion. But I feel so much better fuelling my body with the nutrition it needs," she said. She found that planning her meals in advance meant she wasn't tempted to hit the drive through and she also started using a calorie counting app so she was really aware of what she was putting in her body.
In four months Christie had got down to 8 and a half stone and went from a dress size 14 to a size 6. She has since decided to put on another half a stone because she feels more comfortable. Christie, who feels "better than ever" and "couldn't be happier", shares her journey on TikTok to encourage and inspire others. "The hardest part is just getting started," she said. "But once you begin seeing results and you're feeling better, you will be hooked."
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