Adelaide woman loses 61kg with the help of gastric sleeve surgery

A woman who once weighed 131kg has described her own transformation as “insane” after she lost almost half her body weight.

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Mara Vasic’s emotional eating spiralled out of control when her mother was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2018.

The 29-year-old, from Adelaide, who weighed 131kg at her heaviest, said it had reached a point where she mentally struggled to accept what was happening to her body.

“It’s like I couldn’t wrap my had around how big I actually was — I didn’t even recognise myself when I got that big,” she told news.com.au

“It only registered around the time I started to lose weight, but even now when I go shopping, I will pick up a size 16 out of habit.”

Mara, who went on to lose a staggering 61kg, is virtually unrecognisable now, describing her own transformation as “insane”.

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Mara Vasic, from Adelaide, weighed 131kg at her heaviest. Picture: Supplied

The 29-year-old after losing 61kg. Picture: Supplied

“I never thought I’d make it this far as my own self-doubt was my worse enemy from a young age,” Mara told news.com.au.

“Sometimes when I look at my own before-and-after photos I can’t believe I achieved this, that I did this. It’s insane.”

The customer service assistant said her mother, who sadly died in January 2020, was her main motivation.

“She always had my back and pushed me to be the best version of myself,” Mara said.

Mara, who is 169cm tall, now weighs 70kg after tackling her portion sizes with the help of gastric sleeve surgery in 2019.

She described it as a tool which helped her take back control of her life.

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Mara said her weight ‘spiralled out of control’ in 2018 when her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Picture: Supplied

Mara had gastric sleeve surgery in 2019, and together with maintaining a balanced diet and training most days a week, she went on to lose 61kg. Picture: Supplied

“I eat a high protein, low carb diet now and eat things in moderation while still enjoying life and food,” she said.

Mara also runs 5km every morning and attends F45 classes in the evenings, where she aims to do four to six classes a week.

“I do make sure I go on the weight days as I’m already doing cardio seven times a week (with my walks),” she explained.

“Sundays I try to go for a hike or long walk outdoors exploring places in Adelaide.”

Mara said that because she was so focused on making a permanent change, her journey wasn’t as tough as she thought it would be.

“I don’t think I really faced any challenges as I was determined more than ever especially

after my mum passed. I just wanted to make her proud,” she said.

“I had weeks where the scale didn’t budge and that was disheartening but I knew I was doing all the right things.”

Mara said as a way to keep motivated, she would remind herself of a time when the “little things” became the most difficult.

“I live in a town house and I remember one day refusing to go upstairs to get something just because I couldn’t be bothered going up and down for one thing,” she said.

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Mara runs 5km every morning and attends F45 classes in the evenings where she aims to do four to six classes a week. Picture: Supplied

“Little things like that became harder and more strenuous on my body. I didn’t know who I saw in the mirror anymore.”

The 29-year-old has since shared her journey on Instagram with her followers amazed by her transformation.

“Girl! Holy hell you look absolutely incredible! I think this may be the best before and after I’ve ever seen. I hope you’re super proud!!” one woman responded to a photo of Mara showing off her weight loss in a bra and underwear.

“Wow! What an incredible journey. You should be so proud of yourself!!” another woman added.

Mara said when looking at ‘before’ photos she couldn’t believe how far she had come. Picture: Supplied

Mara, who also had breast augmentation and a bilateral breast lift last month, said she “finally” feels confident in her own skin.

She said her advice to other woman who also want to make a lifestyle change, was to “take

everyday as it comes”.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself and be your own motivation. It is crazy what our bodies are capable of. With the right mind set anything is possible.”

If you’ve got a transformation story you’d like to share, get in touch with lifestyle reporter Shireen Khalil | [e-mail]