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Home / Lifestyle

Aussie mum sheds half her weight without surgery

By Vanessa Brown
news.com.auΒ·
4 Jan, 2018 10:30 PM4 mins to read

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Sarah Wolter lost a huge 83kg over two years following the CSIRO diet. Channel 7 / Sunrise

Two years ago, Sarah Wolter looked unrecognisable.

At 166 kilos, the South Australian working mum lived a life of no exercise while consuming a high-calorie diet of carbohydrates and sugar.

Ms Wolter, who is now an incredible 83kg lighter, told Channel 7's Sunrise on Wednesday that she was always conscious of being "the big girl" and that her weight often held her back from doing certain activities in life.

After seeing a segment on the breakfast program several years earlier, Mrs Wolter decided to give the scientifically based CSIRO diet a try β€” and ditch the fads she'd attempted previously.

"Before the diet, I ate a lot of high-carb foods so bits of bread and butter," she told Channel 7. "One of my worst habits was snacking between meals. Lots of chips and crackers and cheese and that sort of thing."

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The diet focuses on high protein consumption at every meal, with Professor Manny Noakes claiming that 25g of protein each meal was the secret for weight loss.

View this post on Instagram

Face to face transformation πŸ€” #healthy #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #fitnessjourney #transformation #obesetobeast #weightloss #losingweight #weightlossjourney #weightlossmotivation #fat2fit #fitspo #fitchick #fitfam #feedfeed #goals #determined #commitment #hardwork #rewards

A post shared by Sarah (@sarah_wolter_xx) on Nov 16, 2017 at 11:29pm PST

"Distribution of protein throughout the day, especially at breakfast, can really help appetite control and reduce cravings across the day," she said.

"Protein can take many forms, obviously eggs are a simple and easy breakfast protein food.

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View this post on Instagram

Want to know how to lose 62kgs (136lbs) like I have so far!? I can tell you the secret...................... STOP LISTENING TO BULLSHIT!! There are no pills, no potions, no tricks and no gimmicks. There is discipline, dedication and commitment; but most of all there is the biggest, most deliriously happy, most incredible rewards for hard work. I never dared dream I would be where I am today and I can't wait to see what more I can achieve!! I have never felt so healthy and strong and I am loving it!! πŸ’ͺπŸ˜€ #dedication #commitment #hardwork #rewards #healthy #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #fitnessjourney #transformation #obesetobeast #weightloss #losingweight #extremeweightloss #weightlossjourney #fat2fit #fitspo #fitchick #fitfam

A post shared by Sarah (@sarah_wolter_xx) on May 14, 2017 at 1:05am PDT

"There are some really great protein milks and yoghurts available as well, you can incorporate legumes and tofu for those people who are vegetarian.

"Normally we have the least amount of protein at breakfast, about 11g, and we should be aiming for about 25g."

Mrs Wolter said after a couple of weeks on the diet, which provides participants with recipe ideas, shopping lists and exercise regimens, she didn't have cravings for sugary or high fat foods.

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Overnight oats four ways 😊 Banana, Peanut Butter Vanilla Mixed Berry Chocolate Strawberry Carrot Cake #breakfast #healthy #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #fitnessjourney #transformation #obesetobeast #weightloss #losingweight #weightlossjourney #extremeweightloss #fat2fit #fitspo #feedfeed #fitchick #fitfam #wholefoods #yummy #yummyfood #diet #dietfood #foodprep #foodprepsaturday

A post shared by Sarah (@sarah_wolter_xx) on Jul 21, 2017 at 10:35pm PDT

"I never imagined I lose anywhere near what I have," she said.

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"I did split it into very small goals at a time ... but I never imagined I'd be able to lose as much as I did.

"The huge difference is that it [CSIRO diet] is backed by science ... so it's not a fad. It's just really simple easy meals, easy recipes, easy normal food."

View this post on Instagram

I know which version of me I prefer to be! #goals #determined #commitment #hardwork #rewards #healthy #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #fitnessjourney #transformation #obesetobeast #weightloss #losingweight #weightlossjourney #extremeweightloss #weightlossmotivation #fat2fit #fitspo #fitchick #fitfam

A post shared by Sarah (@sarah_wolter_xx) on Nov 16, 2017 at 1:06pm PST

Speaking of the diet, Mrs Wolter said the journey "wasn't easy" and that shedding the weight came down to mindset.

"The diet makes sticking to it easy because the meals and the food is so simple and easy to follow that if you've got your head in it, does make it simple," she said.

View this post on Instagram

Food Prep Done! 😎 #fitnessjourney #transformation #obesetobeast #weightloss #losingweight #extremeweightloss #weightlossjourney #wholefoods #healthy #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #fat2fit #fitspo #fitchick #fitfam #feedfeed #

A post shared by Sarah (@sarah_wolter_xx) on Aug 5, 2017 at 12:24am PDT

Mrs Wolter, who is now a face of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing diet, said her life has now "completely changed" since the weight loss.

"Before losing the weight, I didn't do any exercise and was more the person sitting back watching rather than participating," she explained.

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View this post on Instagram

680 days ago I made a commitment to myself to get my shit together and get healthy and today I reached the goal weight I set for myself those 680 days ago 73 kilos gone FOREVER!! πŸ˜€πŸ˜€ The goals have since changed but today still feels very rewarding. Along the way I have met some amazing people and made some incredible friends and I value you guys more than you'll ever know!! Love you all!! β€πŸ‘ŠπŸ’ͺ🀘 #goals #determined #commitment #hardwork #healthy #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #fitnessjourney #transformation #obesetobeast #weightloss #losingweight #weightlossjourney #weightlossmotivation #fat2fit #fitspo #fitchick #fitfam

A post shared by Sarah (@sarah_wolter_xx) on Sep 13, 2017 at 8:14pm PDT

"Now exercise is my life ... obviously to begin with I could only really do walking, and after I'd lost about 20kg I thought I'm going to have to do something more. So I joined a gym and started with a personal trainer and now that is my life.

"Now, most people who didn't know me before I lost the weight actually can't believe that I was as big as I was. When I show them photos, they say 'it doesn't even look like you'."

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