Diary of a body makeover: Celebrating the new me after some big changes

Danielle before the Reset programme (left) and after.

At the beginning of the year, I knew I wanted to make some drastic changes in my life in terms of health and wellbeing, but looking back I can now see that I wasn't equipped with all the knowledge I needed to make those changes.

I had the drive, the motivation and commitment in spades. Teaming up with clinical nutritionist Sonja Gardiner to do her three-month Reset programme and write about it here was the best thing that could have happened to me. She's given me the knowledge and tools I needed to make those changes.

My goal was simple: I wanted to get back into my favourite size 12 jeans. But more than that, I wanted to reclaim the woman who inhabited those jeans ... the confident, sassy, energetic chick who truly embraces life and feels amazing at that size and weight.

While this journey was always going to be about more than a number on the scales staring at me between my feet, I am rapt to have lost 10kg on Sonja's programme. All up, that's 16kg down since the beginning of the year.

And not only have I got back into those size 12 jeans, but they're a little loose on me now. That's the only down side of this journey - the expense of buying new clothes. (Who am I kidding! Shopping for new clothes has been great fun, just not so much for the bank balance).

I have more energy than I have in a long time, I have clear, glowing skin, I've reduced my tummy fat, the eczema that has plagued me since I was a kid is almost non-existent, I hardly ever get zits anymore and I love exercising now - so much so that I crave workouts!

At my last appointment with Sonja we talked about having a long-term focus. I feel like I still have another 8kg or so to lose and I'm committed to achieving that. I'm still losing weight on the high fat-moderate protein-low carb plan that has worked so well for me so far so I'll stick with that.

Early on Sonja had me complete a goal-setting form to help ensure that I remained focused on my goals, particularly when I was tempted to stray from them. I still keep that manifesto in my diary to remind me of what I wanted to achieve.

Six months after I sat outside under the stars one night during my summer holiday and decided this would be the year that I would focus more on me and my needs, I am healthier and happier than I have been in as long as I can remember.

Sonja has literally changed my life. She's given me not only the knowledge and tools to lose weight but to maintain that when I reach a size and weight that I feel is right for me. Sonja's mission is to bring health, wholeness and happiness back into people's lives - she sure as heck did that for me!

For more information see www.sonjagardiner.com.

Reporter Ged Cann will continue this column, writing about his journey with Sonja helping him to gain weight and muscle mass.