‘I started this one simple habit – now I’m 31kg down’

You can't beat the slow and steady approach

Determined to change her habits and health for the better, one mother of three from Melbourne has transformed her mental and physical health in just eight months. Here’s her secret. 

Have you ever struggled to find the motivation to embark on a life-changing health transformation? For Erin, one defining moment forced her to take a look at her priorities, catapulting her into a healthier, happier way of life. 

Now, thanks to a little help and guidance from the 28 By Sam Wood program, the Melbourne-based nurse has lost a total of 31kg in less than a year, the lightest and fittest she’s been since she was a teenager. 

Erin’s weight gain was initially prompted by health complications that led her to embark on fertility treatment. During what she describes as an emotionally and physically taxing time, Erin experienced an increased appetite as a result of her medications, “I basically comforted myself through the initial months of that treatment with food.”

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But after the birth of her third child, Erin decided it was time to take action, transforming her health for the benefit of her family. “I also had a very active 1-year-old and I had so little energy that I couldn’t be bothered taking her out into the backyard to play,” recounts Erin. “I used the new baby as an excuse for a while and I became so full of mum guilt for not being able to play with my toddler.”

“My eldest daughter also plays basketball and having played semi-professional basketball myself many years ago, I really wanted to be able to get out on the court and play with her too,” she adds.

After overcoming the teething problems of her new lifestyle, such as getting more organised with her weekly grocery shop and meal planning, Erin quickly began to relish the positive effects of her increase in physical activity and more thoughtful eating. 

“I made huge diet changes, I joined the 28 by Sam Wood program and from day one, I stuck 100 per cent to the meal plan, which included so many more fresh fruits and vegetables, more protein and salad, and much less heavy, carb-loaded food compared to what I was eating,” she explains.

Erin before and after her 28 By Sam Wood transformation. Image: Supplied.

For Erin, the biggest challenge of the whole process was mastering the right mindset, “I always thought I was busy and didn’t have time for myself to exercise, but I have learnt that I do have time, I just need to utilise it,” she says.

Before joining the program, Erin’s diet wasn’t necessarily terribly unhealthy, but the busy mum and nurse largely chose meals and snacks out of convenience rather than nutritional value. Contrary to now, Erin’s exercise routine was non-existent before her health transformation, sporadically going on short walks or attempting runs. 

Erin’s typical day on a plate:

Breakfast: A smoothie or overnight oats.

Lunch: A 28 By Sam Wood salad or leftovers.

Snacks: A piece of fruit and a coffee for morning tea, and sometimes an afternoon snack of Greek yogurt with protein or a protein bar.

Dinner: ‘Whatever is on the 28 meal plan, which could be anything from rice paper rolls to butter chicken or homemade pizza!’

Dessert: Only on special occasions, such as a birthday cake!

When it comes to Erin’s exercise routine, the mother-of-three is a fan of variety– one of the cornerstones of the 28 By Sam Wood program. “A typical week of exercise to me is now Joss’ HIIT sessions three to four times per week, Sarah’s strength sessions three times per week, and I try to run a couple of times per week,” she says. “I now do something every day to move my body.”

Erin’s biggest lessons

When prompted in her advice for others, Erin says the most important thing she’s learnt throughout the past eight months, is that consistency is key, finding even when her motivation ebbs and flows each week, her discipline is what delivers the fantastic results she’s seen so far. 

“I have also learnt that eating a ‘bad’ meal every now and then will not undo all the good work I have done and that I can still live and enjoy food, just with a more balanced approach,” adds the mother of three.

“Whether it be changing one meal a day or finding even 10 minutes to go for a walk, over time the consistency pays off,” Erin says. “You won’t regret making the change– the journey is tough but it’s an incredible feeling when you get to your goal.”

Ready to experience Sam Wood’s expertise yourself? Join Body+Soul’s Health of the Nation Health Club before the official program kicks off on February 5th and join thousands of Aussies in discovering a fitter, healthier you. To join the Health Club, head to 28 by Sam Wood and sign up, or click here. 

Originally published as ‘I started this one simple habit – now I’m 31kg down’