Melissa opens up about her great weight loss

IF YOU saw Melissa Maurer as a 17-year-old, you would have seen a bright and caring person.

IF YOU saw Melissa Maurer as a 17-year-old, you would have seen a bright and caring person.

If you saw Melissa now, five years later, you would see a bright and caring person, but you wouldn't recognise her.

The Gympie girl has completely transformed herself by losing 55 kilograms in three years and has kept it off.

As a Year 12 student in 2008, Melissa weighed 110 kilograms. With her graduation formal approaching, Melissa said she was worried about attending it.

"I was embarrassed and scared not knowing if I would even be able to find a nice dress that fitted," Melissa said.

"A friend gave me a beautiful dress, but when I tried it on, it was slightly too small. I was 110kg and this was when I finally decided that enough was enough."

Melissa started exercising and followed a 28-day weight loss plan from Annette Sym's low-fat cook books.

By the end of the year, Melissa had lost 10 kilos and her formal dress had to be taken in.

Life is much healthier for Melissa now.

"It's really about healthy living," Melissa said.

"It's not about what's good or bad, but it's about looking after yourself, eating right, exercising and having fun."

These days, Melissa maintains her good health by going to the gym three times a week, eating "the right amount of all the good stuff" and staying active with friends.

Melissa Maurer before her weight loss. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

She attends mission trips overseas, working with young adults, and says being a healthy 55 kilos means she can keep up with the active schedule.

"I've been a lot more active and able to do things that I would've been restricted with before," Melissa said.

Melissa will be speaking about her weight loss journey at low-fat cookbook author Annette Sym's workshop retreat at Caloundra.

Melissa says she wants to encourage people to be positive on their weight loss journey.

"Don't listen to what the media has to say. Don't be down on yourself, just be you and enjoy the journey."

And remember to have fun, she says.

"I make sure that I remember to have fun. I'm still a 22-year-old and I still enjoy pizza and movie nights."

Three-Day Workshop Retreat

• May 24-26, 2013
• Oaks Oasis, Caloundra
• Visit symplytoogood.com.au
• Call 5445 1250