Post by Jai D on Jan 13, 2010 15:23:41 GMT -5
Tackle weight loss 'a little bit at a time'
By CLAIRE CONNELL - The Marlborough Express
www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellbeing/3223432/Tackle-weight-loss-a-little-bit-at-a-time
For most people, cycling 25 kilometres from Blenheim to Okaramio and back for work is the stuff nightmares are made of.
But that's exactly what Blenheim's Cara Shirley did most days in a bid to transform her "very unfit and obese" 114-kilogram body.
These days she's a slim 72kg, and couldn't be happier.
Swapping her fish and chips for Subway, pies for salads, and her television watching for running and cycling, Miss Shirley said she's now healthier and happier and finds shopping for clothes easier.
In Blenheim for a year on a break from missionary work in Vanuatu, the 27-year-old Bible translator even came sixth in the women's hybrid section of the King and Queen of the Withers race on Saturday.
"A year ago, I couldn't even walk up to the lookout."
Miss Shirley credits her Marlborough Bible Baptist Church pastor, Jeff Williams, who confronted her about her weight issue.
"I knew that he was right, and part of me was really glad that he said something. When you're overweight you know it, but you're in self-denial."
She also found it hard work in Vanuatu, which involved regular hikes to villages.
"It was killing me, the physical exertion. It would take me twice as long as anyone to get anywhere."
High blood pressure was an issue and she and was at risk of diabetes. But through joining Weight Watchers, biking 200km a week and running 5km a day, she is now 42kg lighter.
Biking along on rainy or frosty mornings, "you think so many times, `this is so not worth it, this is so not worth it'. But it was so worth it," Miss Shirley said.
With free time before heading back to Vanuatu next week, Miss Shirley is running 10km a day and loving it.
There's also been a lot more interest from the opposite sex and she's splurged on a new size-12 wardrobe.
Now, Miss Shirley is encouraging people to talk to friends and family who have weight issues, and "approach it with love".
"If you really love someone, you realise the health hazards. You don't want to see them die an early death, or struggle with obesity-related health problems."
The formula to weight loss is simple, she said. "Eat less calories than you consume, and make sure you put some fitness in there too. You just have to tackle it a little bit at a time."
By CLAIRE CONNELL - The Marlborough Express
www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellbeing/3223432/Tackle-weight-loss-a-little-bit-at-a-time
For most people, cycling 25 kilometres from Blenheim to Okaramio and back for work is the stuff nightmares are made of.
But that's exactly what Blenheim's Cara Shirley did most days in a bid to transform her "very unfit and obese" 114-kilogram body.
These days she's a slim 72kg, and couldn't be happier.
Swapping her fish and chips for Subway, pies for salads, and her television watching for running and cycling, Miss Shirley said she's now healthier and happier and finds shopping for clothes easier.
In Blenheim for a year on a break from missionary work in Vanuatu, the 27-year-old Bible translator even came sixth in the women's hybrid section of the King and Queen of the Withers race on Saturday.
"A year ago, I couldn't even walk up to the lookout."
Miss Shirley credits her Marlborough Bible Baptist Church pastor, Jeff Williams, who confronted her about her weight issue.
"I knew that he was right, and part of me was really glad that he said something. When you're overweight you know it, but you're in self-denial."
She also found it hard work in Vanuatu, which involved regular hikes to villages.
"It was killing me, the physical exertion. It would take me twice as long as anyone to get anywhere."
High blood pressure was an issue and she and was at risk of diabetes. But through joining Weight Watchers, biking 200km a week and running 5km a day, she is now 42kg lighter.
Biking along on rainy or frosty mornings, "you think so many times, `this is so not worth it, this is so not worth it'. But it was so worth it," Miss Shirley said.
With free time before heading back to Vanuatu next week, Miss Shirley is running 10km a day and loving it.
There's also been a lot more interest from the opposite sex and she's splurged on a new size-12 wardrobe.
Now, Miss Shirley is encouraging people to talk to friends and family who have weight issues, and "approach it with love".
"If you really love someone, you realise the health hazards. You don't want to see them die an early death, or struggle with obesity-related health problems."
The formula to weight loss is simple, she said. "Eat less calories than you consume, and make sure you put some fitness in there too. You just have to tackle it a little bit at a time."