At 30, Tracey found herself overweight and in a very dark place in her life.
Hear how she faced fear head-on, overcame self-doubt, and has turned her life around!
“There are always two choices or two paths to take. One of these is easy, and its only reward is that it’s easy.”
Weight Gain Background and Contributing Factors
Tracey was an exchange student to the United States after high school and gained 10 kg (22 lbs) in a year.
When she returned to Australia, Tracey obtained her driver’s license and no longer rode her bicycle to get to places. These changes, in addition to other stressful factors in her life at the time, added up quickly.
By 22 years of age, Tracey found herself at 120 kg (264 lbs).
How Being Overweight Impacted Tracey’s Life
A difficult time in Tracey’s life, including the weight gain, resulted in her feeling insecure, feeling unattractive, and experiencing issues with her self-worth and self-esteem.
Tracey also later experienced pain in an arthritic hip that she knew would be helped by losing weight.
The Turning Point
Unfortunately, Tracey’s marriage at the time was an abusive one. She endured this for five long years while slowly coming to the realization that she wanted to be a mother one day.
This realization changed everything.
“I knew 2 things about that: One, that I could never have a child with that man, and I had to get out of the relationship.
“And number two, I would never be able to have a child, healthy, at the weight that I was.”
Tracey saw a photograph of herself around this same time, and it was just the spark she needed to ignite the fire inside her.
“If I was going to change my life, I needed to do something about me first.”
Starting The Weight Loss Journey
Tracey had never dieted or tried to lose weight before, and was lost, but she knew a few very important things about herself.
“I knew… I needed support and I needed to be accountable.”
A friend of Tracey’s happened to invite her to a Weight Watchers meeting, and she found value in them immediately.
Tracey already knew that she needed to exercise, cut out junk food, and to reduce portion sizes. What was eye-opening to her was how many things she thought were healthy that, in fact, were quite the opposite.
Tracey loved cooking, and had to re-learn many things about preparing food.
The next step was activity, and – knowing herself – Tracey realized that if she had an excuse, such as rain, she would not go out and walk. She purchased a treadmill and started with the most walking she could physically do – ten minutes twice a day.
This was the beginning.
The ten minute walks grew into fifteen minute walks, and then longer, and Tracey was consistent about doing them daily.
Staying Motivated
“You are battling that voice in your head telling you that you can’t do it. That it’s not enough. That you won’t get there. That you’re a failure.”
Tracey is clear that she believes this mental battle is more important than the outward changes you make every day.
She found strength is rediscovering her “Why.” (Past guest Tim Bauer says, “If your why is big enough, the how doesn’t matter.”)
Tracey recalled and focused on the deep, powerful reason she had decided to lose weight to begin with – her desire to have a child and be a good, healthy mother for that child.
Tracey’s Discoveries
Tracey has slowly changed her taste by exploring new ways of cooking and making new favorites part of her routine. She found a healthy breakfast combination she enjoyed and made it her daily go-to. She follows up exercise with a bowl of fruit. Portion control was also one of Tracey’s key tactics.
When Tracey first started her journey, she was full of self-doubt. She didn’t fully believe in herself as a person. Now, she knows that when she sets her mind to something, she can achieve it. She faced her “biggest demon, which was myself.”
Tracey has reached a place in her life where she is resilient, strong, and full of confidence and belief in herself and what she can achieve.
“If I could get through everything that I’ve been through – and I’m just an ordinary, everyday person – …then everybody else can do it, too!”
Looking back at old photos, Tracey doesn’t recognize the person that she used to be. She describes how that person would never have believed she would be living the healthy, active lifestyle she is living today.
Tracey’s Advice For Your Journey
Tracey is crystal-clear on this: Your first step is: Decide that you are worth it!
Know that it may not be easy, but you are investing in yourself, and you are worth the effort.
Also, share your success! Tell your friends and people who truly care about you.
Resources Discussed In This Podcast
On Tracey’s Workout Playlist
- Footloose by Kenny Loggins, from the Footloose soundtrack. [ Amazon / iTunes ]
- Audiobooks! (Get a FREE audiobook with your no-obligation trial of Audible.com)
Contacting Tracey
If Tracey isn’t outside paddle boarding or playing with her son, she might respond to e-mail – Say hello!
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