Aussie mum’s incredible 22kg transformation

A mother of three has revealed how back-to-back pregnancies left her feeling “unrecognisable”, and how she lost an impressive 22kg in five months.

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A mother of three has revealed how back-to-back pregnancies left her feeling “unrecognisable”.

Ellie Pritchard, a Brisbane-based content creator, said she was never one to be “crazy” about the gym but was a healthy eater and went on walks.

However, when she unexpectedly fell pregnant in 2020 — and had another two children quickly after her first — it “took a toll on her body”.

“I just did not recognise myself at all,” she told news.com.au.

Ellie Pritchard is a mum of three. Picture: Instagram/@ellierpritchard

“I was really struggling with fitness, keeping up with the kids, and what was really bothering me was that I just felt like I couldn’t run around with them,” she told news.com.au.

“I was a size 10 before I had kids. And all of a sudden, I was a size 18. It was the biggest I’d ever been and felt.”

She started being hard on herself about her appearance and ability. But, after her third children, a daughter, was born in 2024, she knew something had to change.

After her first pregnancy, she got pregnant again very quickly. But there was a two-and-a-half year age gap between her middle child and her youngest. During that time, she tried various ways to take control of her health once again.

She wanted it so badly, but she would often tell her husband she felt like she “didn’t have the motivation”. She was tired, had two babies at the time and was at home with the children while her husband worked.

“I think I tried cutting out fast food, but no concrete challenges,” she said.

Ms Pritchard was a fan of reality dating show The Bachelor, and had been following Sam Wood’s 28 by Sam Wood business on social media for a while. She was approached and asked if she wanted to be part of an eight-week challenge.

“I had a look, and loved how they don’t make their focus calorie counter. They’re a family, and it can be incorporated into family life and include the kids. Their recipes were all family-friendly,” she said.

“I thought I would just give it the eight weeks and see.”

Ms Pritchard said the timing was perfect, as her daughter was four months old and had stopped breastfeeding. She said that while breastfeeding her portions were “so big” as she was “so hungry”.

She said she can now keep up with her kids. Picture: Instagram/@ellierpritchard

She is now down 22kg. Picture: Instagram/@ellierpritchard

She said she started off with exercise. At the time, her family were using Hello Fresh as financially it worked out better for them. She started choosing higher protein, lower calorie meals through that. She also got herself a yoga mat and activewear from Kmart.

“I started doing it outside with the kids. My two boys joined in. I also started incorporating a daily walk,” she said.

“I’d get up and go before the kids were awake.”

Mrs Pritchard loved the eight-week challenge so much she did another one after noticing she was dropping off in the workouts — but was still eating healthy and walking daily. She started off at 102 kilograms and has lost 22 kilograms since September.

“For me, I’ve never been one to look at the scales. I didn’t own scales. But I was aware I was over 100kg and it hit me when I tried to go for a water birth with my daughter and they told me I was over the weight limit,” she said.

“Something in me was like, I need to look after myself. But the main thing for me was I was constantly tired. I was so exhausted, no energy and couldn’t keep up with the boys.

“It was more so that than looking a certain way.”

After looking at photos from before her weight loss journey, Ms Pritchard said she realised she was “bigger than what she felt” as she wasn’t dwelling on it.

She said it was just a bonus she was able to look in the mirror and feel good, but it was keeping up with her kids and her home that was the biggest benefit.

Originally published as Aussie mum’s incredible 22kg transformation