'How I lost 13kg and got my self esteem back'

'I knew that I needed to take control of my health'

Jacqueline Ashcroft lost 12.9kg in just 12 weeks thanks to the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet. Image: Getty

Jacqueline Ashcroft found her zest for life and lost 12.9kg in just 12 weeks, thanks to the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet.

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“Before my weight loss, my health was the last of my priorities. I was avoiding exercise, skipping meals, relying on takeaway food, and overeating,” says Jacqueline Ashcroft from Sandhurst, Victoria, who at 53, realised her poor habits had rubbed off on her entire family.

But Jacqueline wasn’t always overweight. Over the years, she said the scales slowly dialled up as she "was putting in longer hours at work, exercising less and eating out more,” she told Body+Soul.

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It’s a tale as old as time. Life got in the way, and as Jacqueline says, "There was a part of me too that had just become a bit complacent and content since meeting, and eventually marrying, my now-husband.” 

But she knew something had to change when her health started to decline.

“I was having heartburn every night that was so painful, I was losing sleep," she says. “I was having trouble eating and swallowing food. I just felt miserable and lethargic. I could barely fit into a size 16 anymore.

“However, the straw that broke the camel’s back was seeing my husband going down the same path that I was on - heartburn, lack of sleep, clothes being too small.”

Before and after: Jacqueline knew something had to change when her health started to decline. Image: Supplied.

Like Jacqueline, her husband wasn’t happy with their poor eating patterns, or with how they felt.

“I knew that I needed to take control of my health. I needed to stop coming up with excuses and make a change, leading by example to put us all on a healthier path,” she said.

Then she discovered the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet.

“Before my weight loss, I was relying on convenience meals and had no idea when to stop eating," she tells Body+Soul. "These days, I love preparing and cooking food. I also ensure to eat regularly throughout the day.” 

Jacqueline says the meal plan taught her what she should be eating, and how much her body actually needed to feel its best.

The 12-week program created by the CSIRO - Australia’s national science agency - has been named the number one diet in the country due to thousands of positive reviews recommending it on TrustPilot. With nutritious meal plans, workout options, a supportive member's app and more, the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet is one that can help you change your lifestyle, something Jacqueline attests to. 

You can learn more about the popular and scientifically-backed CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet here.

Before and after: Before my weight loss, I was relying on convenience meals and had no idea when to stop eating. Image: Supplied.

Jacqueline’s day on a plate

“I will have overnight oats as my first meal of the day. This is soon followed by my one coffee of the day.

“Lunch varies depending on what I have planned for dinner. Knowing the right portion sizes is now second nature to me so I don’t have to think too much about it to stay on track and feel great.”

A typical week of exercise

“I exercise every day - either running or strength training in my garage gym,” Jacqueline said, admitting that pre-CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, she’d always hated running.

“These days, I love it. I actually find it effortless and it feels like a moving meditation. Exercise is a really important part of my weight maintenance.” 

Before and after: “I exercise every day - either running or strength training in my garage gym,” Jacqueline said. Image: Supplied.

Lessons learnt

“By far, the biggest lesson has been that I can control how my body functions and feels, my mood, and my self-esteem,” Jacqueline insisted. “All from eating the right food and having discipline.”

But that’s not to say she doesn’t indulge from time to time. “It’s just within healthy limits. With these boundaries, my life is so much better and my outlook so much clearer. I can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner.

“I felt so proud of myself.”

Related: ‘The lunch hack that helped me lose over 20 per cent body fat’

“By far, the biggest lesson has been that I can control how my body functions and feels, my mood, and my self-esteem,” Jacqueline insisted. Image: Supplied.

Her biggest challenges, and best advice

For Jacqueline, the first two weeks were her most challenging. “This is the time that you are breaking all of your bad habits,” she said, “For example, I used to eat chocolate every evening. It was something to look forward to after having a long day at work.”

Yet, “When you’re following a science-backed weight loss program, you can have confidence that it will work. As long as you give it time, and you do it properly.

“Get through the first two weeks where you are breaking your habits and you will uncover a healthier body and mind,” Jacqueline urged people wanting to make the change to a happier, healthier lifestyle.

“By eating the right portions of the food groups, you will be surprised at how full you feel and how much variety there is in the way you can prepare and flavour food. So, don’t be put off by your own assumptions, like I was!”

In terms of cost, there are varying plans for the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet (you can see them all here) that cater for different needs and they start at $19.95 per week.  

Originally published as 'How I lost 13kg and got my self esteem back'