Health of the Nation: Aussie mum reveals how she lost 50kg and kept it all off

An Aussie mother, who once weighed 120kg, has revealed how she shed almost half her body weight – and kept it off for 10 years.

When Nikki Ellison was pregnant with her first son 10 years ago it was one of the happiest — and heaviest — times of her life.

Weighing 120kg before giving birth, she now admits she had been stuck in an unhealthy cycle of yoyo dieting with little exercise for most of her life.

“I would lose the weight then always put it all back on and then some,” Ms Ellison said. 

Nikki Ellison before and after her 50kg weight loss.

Ms Ellison, 38, said her post-natal weight of 110kg fluctuated down and up again for another seven years as she juggled a busy work schedule and the addition of a second son before she managed to rapidly lose 35kg through a restrictive eating regime.

“But I knew the weight was going to creep back up again because it always had,” she said.

To avoid that happening, in 2021 she signed up for a 7-day trial with Sam Wood’s at-home online fitness program — and her switch to a fitter life was flicked. 

She was drawn to the dance fit classes and immediately started to see her body change shape and grow stronger.

“It completely changed my life. I went from being a kid who would avoid PE (physical education) at school and someone who never wanted to run to now having completed my first half-marathon and training for my second.

“I get up every morning and the first thing I do is exercise but I used to barely go for a walk.

“And it has rubbed off on my whole family and everyone is exercising more.”

Nikki Ellison of Melbourne with her medal after completing her first half marathon.

A decade on from those heaviest days, Ms Ellison is 50kg lighter and has maintained her slim 70kg weight for almost three years.

The Melbourne mum describes herself as the happiest and healthiest she’s ever been and said the benefits have improved all aspects of her entire life, including helping her manage her epilepsy.

“I feel better, I am more productive, less stressed and I sleep better. My last seizure was January 2021. I take medication daily still but my triggers are stress and sleep deprivation and I really believe the change in lifestyle is a big reason why I’m no longer having seizures.”

Her boys are reaping benefits too, regularly going on long bike rides with mum and being more active outdoors.

Over the summer holidays, Ms Ellison took on the 5km FoamFest fun run, which involved navigating an obstacle course filled with foam and mud with her husband and two boys Seb, 9, and Eli, 7.

Nikki Ellison at the completion of FoamFest with her husband and sons Seb, 9, and Eli, 7.

“It was such an adventure to do it with the kids,” she said.

Reflecting on her weight-loss journey, Ms Ellison said she had never lacked the motivation to slim down in the past, but believes she didn’t have the right tools to leave her yoyo dieting culture behind.

Each week she now cooks nutritious meals from the Sam Wood program for the whole family with the one-pan lasagne and Big Mac tacos among their favourites.

“I now know how to balance things. My body craves healthy food all the time now. If I want to treat myself I can, but I don’t overindulge anymore and I don’t crave sugar,” she said. 

Sam Wood is ready to get Australia moving with his free Health Club. Picture: Tony Gough

FINAL DAYS FOR FREE 8-WEEK HEALTH CLUB

As an ambassador for News Corp’s Health of the Nation campaign, trainer Sam Wood has created a free Health Club for all Australians to kickstart their healthiest year yet in 2024.

The Health Club offers workouts, meals, mindfulness programs and regular support from Wood and his team of trainers and nutritionists.

Ms Ellison urged anyone thinking about joining to “just do it”.

“It’s completely free and you have nothing to lose and so much to gain,” she said. 

She still dives headfirst into every 8-week challenge on her own program.

“Every time!” she said. “I find them very motivating because you can communicate with others in the special Facebook groups that are set up and that community helps to drive me.”

SIGN UP NOW: You can Join Sam Wood’s free health club today HERE. 
Starts February 5 and runs for 8 weeks until March 31. No credit card required. 

Originally published as Health of the Nation: Aussie mum reveals how she lost 50kg and kept it all off