A mum has detailed how she dropped three dress sizes in just 28 days after she tweaked her lifestyle.
Louisa Pontonio, from Melbourne, had a seemingly healthy diet consisting of fresh vegetables and organic ingredients.
But she was always feeling stuck with low energy levels when she weighed 78kg.
Then size 16, the project manager knew she needed to get into shape so she could juggle her four active kids, aged between seven months old and 15.
Determined to get on top of her weight, the 40-year-old slimmed down to 70.4kg in less than one month.
Despite losing just 7.6kg, she says her body composition has changed significantly.
“I also feel really empowered to achieve the weight loss, it’s a great feeling to take control of your life and achieve things you set your mind too.”
Before transforming her body, the mum says she considered herself “pretty healthy”.
“I was very much into my veggies, organic meats, dairy and whole foods,” she says.
However, she believed her weight gain stemmed from mindlessly snacking.
“My diet involved snacking and no structure,” she explains.
“I am also someone who likes to have something sweet most days – whether some chocolate or ordering a dessert with a meal when out.”
Lacking energy
At her heaviest, Louisa says she found herself struggling with her self-esteem and staying active.
“I wasn’t feeling confident, healthy, happy or my active self at the higher weight,” she says.
“I enjoy having an active lifestyle, but with small children to run around after, I needed more energy than I had.”
She’s a mum to two of her own kids, aged two and seven months old. She’s also a step mum to two children who are 12 and 15.
She says she didn’t have the energy to hit the gym or go for a run or a long walk.
“I have always loved being active – running, hiking, or going to the gym, which of course were a lot harder when carrying excess weight,” she says.
But one of her biggest challenges was not being able to fit into her favorite clothes.
After spending six months on maternity leave, Louisa wanted to look her best when she returned to her job.
“Professionally, I was keen to present myself in the best possible way and of course fit into my old work wardrobe,” she says.
She signed up for science-based AstonRX, a weight loss program that’s personally tailored to improve a dieter’s metabolic function and gut health – both of which have the side effect of rapid fat loss.
For meals, she enjoyed a “good balance of various plant foods with proteins”.
“I like to mix up my meals as much as possible - beef, seafood, cheese,” she says.
“I also don’t snack anymore.”
Louisa says she also fasts a minimum of five hours between meals.
“For instance, if I go out for dinner and I am unable to completely control it, I’ll fast the next morning,” she explains.
“The program has some really simple principles to live by and once you have completed it, it feels natural to fast and to extend fasts occasionally.”
Her typical exercise schedule now includes daily walks and four workouts a week to maintain cardio and strength fitness.
“I enjoy exercising so much more now and have renewed energy and motivation, and I fit into all my old gym clothes,” she says.
“I also have continued to walk most days which I love, as it makes you feel so good.”
The now size-10 mum says she now feels happier and healthier than ever before.
“The best thing about me is having my confidence back,” she says.
“I’m so happy I feel good doing things again and making sure I’m setting a healthy, happy example for my kids.”
