Gone in Six Months

Two wake up calls in quick succession prompted Wendy McAlister to do something she had been thinking about for years - lose weight. Out of the blue, Wendy's mother suffered a heart attack which she survived and soon after Wendy had a blood sugar reading that showed she was rapidly heading towards Type II Diabetes.

It took Wendy, a paediatric theatre nurse, more than 20 years and three children to reach 108kgs and she knew she would need help to lose the 20kg she had set as her target,

"I knew I would need support. I had tried to change my eating habits and to exercise on my own but it hadn't worked. I don't believe in diets and I tried another weight loss program but the public weigh-in was humiliating," Wendy says.

Wendy signed up to a 12 month weight loss program at the Wesley Weight Management Clinic and has lost 33kgs.

"Originally I just wanted to lose 23kg but when I got there I said let's go down further so I did that and then further again."

"The one-on-one support I received at the Wesley Weight Management Clinic was great motivation because I didn't want to let the Dietitians down and I wanted to prove something to them. They say "wow" when you get on the scales and you've lost weight - they are genuinely impressed."

Wendy says the Clinic Psychologist helped her to understand her relationship with food.

"I understand that boredom is a trigger for eating for me and now if I feel bored I don't need to eat."

For the exercise component of her program Wendy chose a Korean martial art called Idong Gumdo because a knee injury makes prolonged walking difficult. Wendy wields her wooden weapon three times a week in the name of good health and loves it.

The shedding of 33kg is a remarkable transformation, not least because Wendy has gone from size 22 to size 14, but because the person most stunned by her new appearance is herself.

"I'm still trying to come to terms with seeing myself as a skinny person", says Wendy. "Sometimes when I'm out shopping I think "that lady's wearing my shirt" but it's actually my own reflection! Or my daughter suggests I try something on and I say "that will never fit me", but it does!"

Wendy's children are delighted and amazed. They say, "I can get my arms around you and give you a hug". Wendy's husband has lost 5kg just by the change in eating at home.

Wendy's blood sugar levels are lower and she no longer needs medication to control her blood pressure. With her improved health, new looks and overflowing energy, Wendy has inspired two nursing colleagues to join the Wesley Weight Management Clinic.

"They have looked at me and seen the change and said "if you can do that, we can do that too"."

For more information about the Wesley Weight Management Clinic's medically supervised weight loss program or to book your obligation-free initial assessment with one of our Dietitians, call 1800 567 348 or complete our online enquiry form.