Less is more: Meet SA’s dieting dynamos living their best lives after drastic weight loss
Tipping the scales at 110kg, the doctor gave this stressed out director three options. Now he shares how he cured himself through diet and exercise.
Lifestyle
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It’s that time of year where we are all singing “new year and new me”, and look no further if you’re looking for a jolt of inspiration to get fit and healthy.
These South Australians share the moment they decided to drop the weight, start exercising and focus on themselves.
Perhaps the most remarkable is Rebecca Freer below. A mum-of-three who had spent the best part of her adult life looking after others.
When her weight ballooned to over 100kg, she decided to take her health into her own hands and shed the pounds.
She shares her story below, and is joined by an SA theatre favourite and a well-known radio host who are all looking a little svelte as we slide into 2024.
REBECCA FREER
This mother of four, who works in the care industry, had her “aha moment” as a significant birthday loomed.
“I put so much effort into looking after everyone else that I forgot about me,” she told The Advertiser. “I am a mum to four children ranging from six to 17, coming up to 40 and I thought that I need to think about myself and my needs.”
Diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) at 17-years-old and hypothyroidism in her mid-20s, Rebecca had found it difficult to lose weight and keep it off.
“I also watched and saw some family members that were bigger and struggled with mobility and other health issues and I didn’t want that for me,” she explained.
“Even playing lots of sports in my younger years I was always a bigger girl. “I tried to hide away, hated dress-up parties, doing activities with the kids like go karting, bike riding, swimming etc.”
At Rebecca’s heaviest she was 115kg and wearing a size 20 or 2XL, but on January 9 last year she had lost 15kg after making the “hardest decision” to put herself first and have gastric sleeve surgery.
“I had some friends that have had the procedure done so was able to gather the bigger picture, however it still didn’t prepare me for what was actually involved in the coming months,” she said. “Nearly a year out, and 50kg down, it has changed my life.”
While Rebecca is now 63kg and a size 10, her body transformation obviously didn’t happen overnight or from the surgery alone.
“Having the sleeve really helped me to lose the weight that just kept on creeping on,” she explained, adding it was essential she followed the advice of both her surgeon and a dietitian.
“Due to my other conditions we didn’t set an unrealistic goal, it was mid to low 80 kgs but once I got nearer to that we then set the goal at mid 70 kgs.
“It was attainable and it felt good when the goals were met.
“It’s quite strange even hanging out the clothes now and looking at them and knowing how small they look and I can’t believe that I fit into them.”
For those who are curious about the sleeve, Rebecca said it works as a “physical reminder” that you are full in the uncomfortable feeling you get if you overeat.
“I am aware that if I listen to my ‘new’ body signs, this is something I can maintain, and if I do the right things I can succeed,” she said, adding she no longer aches or feels tired “all the time”.
Rebecca’s commitment to maintaining her weight loss is saving money on the family grocery shop, and allowing her to spoil herself a little.
“Walking into a shop and seeing the cute outfits that I used to look at and walk past, I can buy them, and they fit,” she said.
“I have found me. A different version of me. A more confident and involved mum, I don’t hide away as much and I’m more of an active participant in life.
“There are times that I don’t recognise the person I see in the mirror or photo I have to
take a second look just to make sure.”
What do you eat on a typical day?
“Since having the sleeve it has changed my relationship with food. It’s gone from ‘oh yum, I like that’ to ‘actually, what does my body need?’,” she said.
“Not much, as I have limited space. I have to think if I’m actually hungry, or if I need a drink, as there isn’t room for both.
“I tend to graze, thinking of protein first. I then make sure I get some veggies and fruit in. Frozen Cokes goes down a treat. I can’t have the real thing as the bubbles hurt, so second best is a good option.”
Your message to others who want to lose weight?
“It’s up to you,” she said. “Don’t do it for others as it makes it easier to not be committed. Do it for you as you are enough!”
ANDREW “COSI” COSTELLO
This year turned out to be one of massive change for this much-loved South Aussie, who is half the man he used to be and proud of it.
In November 2022, Cosi underwent gastric sleeve surgery in a bid to end a lifelong battle with his weight.
In a candid interview, he told The Advertiser how his childhood love of junk food became an addiction in adulthood – to the point that his wife Samantha put a lock on the family’s pantry in a bid to save him from himself.
Tipping the scales at almost 143kg before his surgery, the host of Channel 7’s South Aussie with Cosi dropped 35kg in less than four months.
At the time he told us he wanted to shed a further 5kg, but, at the start of 2024, he’s now below 100kg after losing 45kg all up.
“The part of the stomach they cut out produces hormones that make you hungry,” he said. “My cravings are completely gone. The desire to eat copious amounts of food is completely gone and even if you do want to gorge, physically you can’t.”
Checking in with The Advertiser while on his recent holiday with his family, he said he’s living his best life.
“I played volleyball in the hotel pool with my kids for nearly two hours …. with no shirt on,” Cosi said. “Now, that’s no big deal to most people but 12 months earlier, weighing 45 kilos more, there ain’t no way in hell I’d be seen anywhere without a shirt on.
“Plus there’s no way I would have had the energy to do physical activity like volleyball for that long, let alone the desire.”
Cosi explained that his decision to “cut out 75 per cent of my guts” was “extreme”.
But he said it was also possibly the best decision he’s ever made.
“There is no question I was on a path to death,” he told.
“Looking back at 145 kgs and sleeping each night with a sleep apnoea machine on, I was just waiting to be struck down by a heart attack or stroke.
“Three years ago I was that sure I was going to drop dead (so) I tried to increase my life insurance so the family would be looked after if something happened.
“(The insurers) refused to increase it after a medical from them classed me as high risk.
“A month after my surgery I stopped snoring – much to my wife’s delight! – and from that first night I never used that stupid machine every again. In fact, I gave it away.”
Cosi said his operation cost him about $5,500 (with private health insurance) but that he would have spent that amount of junk food in the past year alone.
“Going forward I hope to obviously keep the weight off,” he explained.
“The bottom line is, now with a smaller stomach, I physically cannot eat as much. I eat about 30 per cent of what I used to.
“While many people choose to never tell people they’ve had this surgery, I’ve always been very open. Hopefully it paves the way to reduce the stigma around getting a gastric sleeve.”
What do you eat on a typical day?
“My diet isn’t amazing and needs a lot of work,” Cosi said. “But since I’ve had my surgery I’m eating far less bakery and takeaway. Like probably $70 a week less. I love having a good healthy brekky.”
Your message to others who want to lose weight?
“I feel a bit weird giving weight loss tips given mine was ‘cut 75 per cent of your guts out’,” he said.
“So I’d just say walking is the key to happiness. If you can find 20-30 minutes to go for a walk each day your life will be better off.
“At the end of a working day our brains are like a bowl of spaghetti. Go for a walk and all that tangled mess straightens out. You feel better. You unwind. You relax. And you’re a far better person.”
JOHN GLENN
A high-pressure career in the theatre world – with its late nights, cocktail food and drinks – was an “occupational hazard” for the director of performing arts production company, Hey Dowling.
But a major health scare became a catalyst for John to begin his journey towards being the best version of himself.
“Along with some other major changes in my life, after Covid I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation, which ultimately was a result of stress and poor lifestyle,” he told The Advertiser.
“My cardiologist said I had three choices for treatment to avoid things like blood clots and potential strokes – medication every day for the rest of my life, or some scary and invasive heart surgery, or give up the unhealthy lifestyle, get fit, stop drinking and the risk will go away.”
In July 2022, John decided he had to take charge. While he had lost 7kgs, at 110kg with a 40-inch waist measurement, he knew it was now or never and joined Noom.
“I loved the psychology and the non-preachy, no-nonsense aspects of it,” he said.
“Once I did all the lessons I transitioned to MyFitnessPal as a great calorie counter and maintain a regime where I net out 1,400 calories per day.
“I earn about 500-600 calories extra from exercise so I get to eat about 2,000 calories of food and still lose weight gradually but consistently. It means I get to have chocolate every night as a treat and not feel guilty.”
Like many of us, John indulged a little during the silly season and is now, in his words, “a slightly elevated post-Christmas 83kg”, 27kg lighter than his highest weight of 110kg and fitting comfortably into a 30 or 32 waist, depending on the brand.
Losing weight through diet and exercise has been a slow and steady process which has had its ups and downs for John who recommends exercising first thing in the day.
“Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t lose weight at the same speed all the time,” he said. “Stick to a simple plan that works for you and don’t get distracted by flashy promises of fast weight loss – and seriously there is so much info out there, why pay for it?
“Slowly but surely and at a pace that works for you means you are likely to be successful and keep the weight off.”
John also realises it’s important to fuel your body intelligently to lose weight and keep it off.
“I learnt early that eating a huge amount of low calorie food is way better than thinking that starving yourself helps you lose weight,” he told.
“I often eat a whole 250g punnet of strawberries for breakfast with a large spoonful, about 100g, of nice flavoured yoghurt.
“That seems like a lot of food but adds up to about 115 calories, it tastes amazing and on my plan that barely touches the amount of calories I can eat each day and still lose weight.”
Asked for advice on maintenance, John says it’s about “understanding the psychology of eating and weight loss”.
“One of the best tips I also got early was to food shop on the outside of the supermarket,” he explained.
“If you think about how food is laid out, the fresh and healthy food – I call it ‘living food’ – is on the outside walls and the processed ‘dead food’ that is high in sugar and additives that make you want to eat more is on the inside aisles, normally at eye level. Stick to the outside. Or if all else fails – Adelaide Central Markets.”
Close to 30kg down from his starting weight, John literally has a new lease on life.
“I decided that doing the work and getting fit was the best solution and it really has been,” he said.
“I am now off all medication and my cardiologist literally said, ‘you’ve completely cured yourself – seeya later!’
“It put a lot of important things into perspective and I feel at least 10 years younger,
“For the first time in my life I can buy clothes straight off a rack and not pay extra to get adjustments made,
“My work colleagues describe me as ‘newly hot’, my love life has improved and I never get tired of hearing from my beautiful new partner that she thinks I am gorgeous.
“All of that said, that is just really the surface stuff. Being slimmer, stronger and fitter just makes you feel amazing. I cope with stress better and I feel so much happier.”
What do you eat on a typical day?
“A stupid amount of fruit for breakfast, a reasonable amount of some sort of protein and a large salad for lunch, and then, as long as I have exercised that day, I eat a pretty large meal of meat and vegetables for dinner, followed by ice cream or chocolate,” he said.
“I understand that sounds like a lot of food, but I promise you if you do it right you get lots of treats while you are losing weight.”
Your message to others who want to lose weight?
“Love yourself enough to care about your health and you will not regret it,” he explained.
“Do you have a weight loss success story you would love to share? Tell us about it.”
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