How Jackie lost 14kg in just 10 weeks

A promise to run a half-marathon as part of the Port of Tauranga Ironman was the motivation Jackie Read needed to shed six years of extra weight.
The Mount Maunganui mum of two had always been sporty - she is a former New Zealand Surf Life Saving representative and was in the world championship winning team in 1998. She even competed in an ironman in Australia in 2002.
But after having two children and going through a relationship break-up, Ms Read was feeling overweight, lacklustre and depressed.
She had agreed to complete the running leg of the half ironman with a group of friends - but she hadn't done any training and was 20kg overweight.
"Six months ago I thought I can either pull out of it, or make it happen. I used to be quite competitive and never pulled out of anything."
She heard about a fitness and weight loss plan called The Great Kiwi Shape Up and felt it was time to change.
"I just decided I wanted to do it. I had been wanting to lose weight for so long.
"Since I've started it's definitely changed my attitude towards everything - it's got me up and moving."
Ms Read has lost 14.5kg since beginning her regime just 10 weeks ago and her running training is on track.
She's already completed the 10km running leg of the Tinman event, the 14km Bays and Bridges Challenge, as well as 7km relay events.
She's running for an hour and a half, four times a week. And she's dropped from a size 16 to a size 12 but still wants to lose another 5.5kg to get to her goal weight.
"I thought I was never going to get back to where I was. Now it feels like I'm back. I've changed my attitude in so many ways. I'm so relieved."
As part of the Great Kiwi Shape Up, Ms Read shared her weight loss journey with listeners on Tauranga radio station More FM. It was hugely motivating, she said.
"I had no choice - I had to do it because I was going live on air.
"Hopefully I have motivated others."
In addition to the exercise regime, Ms Read completely overhauled her diet.
Gone were her old vices of pasta, left-overs, chips and biscuits. Instead she followed a Jenny Craig eating plan, which included ready-meals supplemented with fruit, vegetables and dairy.
She recommends setting goals, having support and accountability, eating regularly and watching your portion size.
And once she completes the half-marathon, her next goal is a full marathon.
"I'm not going to stop now. I'm going to keep going, I love it.
"I just feel so different now - I've got so much more energy and confidence and motivation.
"I'm embracing everyone around me.
"Once I took control over this, it fees like everything else fell into place.
"How different can someone be in 10 weeks?"
And she's got more energy to play with daughters Monique, 3 and Lucy, 5.
"We are having a lot of fun - they can see mum's happy."