Six Queenslanders share their journeys in weight loss and how they shed the kilos

These men and women across Queensland underwent incredible weight loss transformations through exercise, diet and a mental overhaul. They share their inspirational journeys and tips.

Tash Fernandez, 40, from Gold Coast lost 24kg in her weight loss journey.

Losing weight can be a major struggle for several Australians as they balance the hundreds of quick-fix diets and exercise tips available.

We spoke to six Queenslanders who lost a remarkable amount of weight, all in their own unique way, who have shared the secrets to their success.

The Gold Coast’s Anthony Punzo shed 40kg after a giant wake up call on his 25th birthday and said changing his mindset was his number one strategy.

Anita Dale, from Brisbane’s southwest, had battled for years with an auto-immune disease and said losing the kilos helped her regain a “fresher version’’ of herself.

Read these six Queenslanders' tips to weight loss encompassing diet, exercise and mindset as they share what worked for them.

Anita Dale, 54 - lost 20kg

Ms Dale has battled an auto-immune disease Hashimotos for a long time and in 2020 suffered a heart attack.

The 54-year-old, from Oxley, said that was the wake up call she needed to change her lifestyle.

She now loves the new version of herself.

“I am loving the fresher version of me,” she said.

“I absolutely love the way I eat now and would be happy to eat like this the rest of my life if my body continues to respond in the way it has.

Anita Dale, 54, from Oxley lost 20kg in her weight loss journey

“Someone asked me ‘do I think it was value for money’ and absolutely it was.

“I would pay double if I knew I would get these results, my body is thanking me every day.

“I feel great and my face looks healthier.”

Ms Dale, who works as a vocational trainer, lost 20kg in her fitness journey.

Lorraine Barnes, 60 - lost 12kg

“There is no ‘1800’ number to have the weight removed, it is up to me and me alone,” Ms Barnes said about her motivation to get healthy and lose weight.

“I finally found the time and inspiration to focus on me. I need to be comfortable in my body, not only to look good but to keep active and healthy.”

Lorraine Barnes, 60, from Mackay, lost 12kg in her weight loss journey

The Mackay resident said maintaining a disciplined diet was a major challenge.

“Put yourself first and love yourself enough,’’ she advised.

“I have a little phrase that I run through my head — if you want a little behind, you have to leave a little behind.

“The first chip from the packet tastes the same as the last chip.

“You decide how many chips you want to eat and it is important to make the food you are eating exciting with huge flavours.”

Ms Barnes has lost 12kg and spends her retirement in Sarina focusing on craft projects.

Anthony Punzo, 27 - lost 40kg

The Gold Coast personal trainer weighed 110kg on his 25th birthday, when he made the decision to overhaul his life.

“I remember looking in the mirror on my 25th birthday and thinking ‘wow you disgust me’,’’ he said.

“I knew from then on something I had to change.

“I’d gone through years of depression and feeling uninspired, but suddenly I gained a great deal of energy.

“I was waking up every day before my alarm and feeling fresh.”

Anthony Punzo, 27, from the Gold Coast, lost 40kg in his weight loss journey.

Mr Punzo has lost a staggering 40kg since his transformation.

He said most people lost weight for the immediate physical benefits, but the mental side was far more significant.

“The mental is more important than the physical. You can build a routine to go to the gym but if you don’t work on your mindset, you won’t get anywhere.

“When I truly decided enough was enough, I realised if I went to work on my mindset that would make the biggest difference.

“The quality of your thoughts determines the quality of your life.”

He also stressed the importance of surrounding oneself with like-minded positive people and finding a supportive network.

Tash Fernandez, 40 - lost 24kg

The Gold Coast entrepreneur went from struggling with her weight to competing in fitness competitions and inspiring others.

A 40-year-old mother of two, her journey began when she turned 39 last year and hit rock bottom.

“I was carrying excess weight from my pregnancy and was struggling to juggle life with two little ones,’’ she said.

“I was in a massive slump and my health was suffering as a result.”

“I have now lost 24kg, but I have gained so much more — my self-confidence and self-love.

“I recently turned 40, I have my energy back, I feel like I am me again, a happier Tash, a happier wife and happier mum to my girls.

“I love going out now and I love being in photos again.”

Tash Fernandez, 40, from Gold Coast lost 24kg in her weight loss journey

Ms Fernandes said there were several hurdles along the way but it was important to set achievable, short term goals

“I started with one workout a week as it took me the whole week to recover because I was so unfit, but I pushed myself through it and built up to three times a week and then five times a week,’’ she said.

“I knew consistency was the key to achieving my goals.

“When the self-doubt and negative self-talk crept in, I found it helpful to surround myself with supportive people who encouraged me to keep going.”

Tash Fernandez lost 24kg.

The mother-of-two had a powerful message for people out there struggling to get healthy and keep the weight off.

“If you’re trying to lose weight and struggling, I want you to know that you’re not alone,’’ she said.

“Losing weight is a journey and it’s okay if you don’t see progress every day. Celebrate small victories along the way.

“Remember that your worth is not determined by your weight.

“Losing weight can be a positive step towards improving your health and wellbeing, but please prioritise self-love no matter what size or shape you are.”

Ms Fernandez runs an online clothing store and coaches women on creating healthy changes in their lifestyle.

Pat Broadmore, 72 - lost 23kg

Moreton Bay mother Pat Broadmore struggled with her weight after having her third child in her early 30s.

She said dieting has always been a challenge for her.

She would try various radical diets and get short term success but then give up on it and stack the weight back on, a common problem known as yoyo dieting.

“As soon as I started to eat foods I’d cut out altogether I craved them and added all the weight I’d lost plus more,” she said.

“I began the battle with various iterations of successful weight loss, followed by regaining and adding even more weight.

“I'm now mobile again. I used to walk with a wheelie walker and progressed to just a stick.

“I retired the stick over a year ago.”

The 72-year-old has lost 23kg and has words of inspiration for others who were struggling.

“You really are worth it. Learn all you can about nutrition from credible sources, not just people who want you to buy their weight loss magic bullet.

“There are lots of mental hurdles to weight loss. If you have a lot to lose, it is very hard.

“My message to people who are struggling with their weight is to get a good coach who will teach you how to manage your nutrition.

“Athletes have coaches, singers have coaches why not have a nutritional coach.”

Lloyd Ross, 39 - lost 12kg

The Gold Coast’s Lloyd Ross said a healthy diet and learning about nutrition were the key factors to his success in weight loss.

“For me it was 90 per cent nutrition, that was made all the difference,” the 39-year-old entrepreneur said.

“It’s all those little things like the ice breaks and pies from the servo.

“People told me I was feeling worse because I was getting older, but the truth was I was just eating crap all the time.”

Lloyd Ross, 39, from Gold Coast lost 14kg in his weight loss journey

Mr Ross said he felt a sudden change after losing 12kg in under 50 days.

“I felt like I was 17 again, I had all this energy,’’ he said.

“Then when I went back and had McDonald’s again I realised how bad that junk food was making me feel.

“Change your environment because environment is stronger than willpower.

“Weight loss is not a smooth process, it takes a while to change until you have a new lifestyle.

“My advice for people out there struggling to lose weight is to model what works for other people, set goals and surround yourself with a positive, supportive network.”