YOU GOT THIS: Mother-of-four flaunts insane shred in bikini snap

A single mother-of-four who has struggles with chronic pain has gone onto lose an impressive 42kg after coming to a shocking realisation.

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If you were to tell Manuela Busack she would be rocking a bikini today — she would never have believed you.

The single mother-of-four has fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism, as well as osteo issues, a few compressed discs in her back and at 56, has been dealing with the horrors of menopause.

However, despite battling chronic pain, at 114.7kg, Manuela knew she had to make a lifestyle change fast, if she wanted to wanted to be around for her children.

“I never thought when I was at my heaviest I would ever get below 80kg but look at me now, I am 72.5kg,” Manuela told news.com.au.

Manuela Busack, 56, from Queensland, said she knew she had to make a lifestyle change if she wanted to be around for her kids. Picture: The Healthy Mummy

The mother-of-four, who also cares for her chronically ill teen, suffers from fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism, which she said made exercising difficult, but was determined to change. Picture: The Healthy Mummy

The mum from Ipswich, in Queensland, said she began lose her way and slowly all the struggles began to “choke” the life out of her.

“Dealing with the constant onslaught of pain day in and day out which is hard work in itself., but I still had to find a way to get through the act of living, being mum and a carer to my youngest daughter (who has ASD). I felt that I was living on limited time.”

But it was when Manuela kept having falls causing her even more pain and injury that she realised she needed to change.

“I felt like there were just too many things to manage that it felt like I was drowning. I just had nothing left and even ended up in the emergency room with heart issues.

“This was the moment I realised that I wouldn’t be around for my children if I didn’t make some changes.

She joined The Healthy Mummy in 2020 and has gone on to completely revamp her lifestyle. Picture: The Healthy Mummy

Manuela said she still can’t do floor work on her knees, but is very proud that she’s come so far with her fitness activities. Picture: The Healthy Mummy

“I was very frightened and so worried about what would happen If I wasn’t around … but eventually it became my anchor to my goal.”

Manuela said as the mum and sole carer for her chronically ill teen, her focus is often not herself and “stress and lethargy are part of our everyday lives”.

The mother-of-four said the start of her lifestyle wasn’t easy.

“I was having trouble walking short distances. I couldn’t stand for long without being in tears,” she explained.

“I had some good days too, but most days were hard. My knees sounded like a chainsaw and my body ached all over. I had to roll out of bed and even used a walking stick on days when I needed to.”

But she slowly started her The Healthy Mummy journey by increasing her activity at home.

“I started stretching out my walking, firstly inside the home, then on occasions out and about.”

She never thought she’d one day rock a bikini, adding that while she loves dressing up, how she looks is just a ‘wonderful secondary benefit of embracing a healthy and fit lifestyle’. Picture: The Healthy Mummy

She said she learned to eat in moderation and has gained a better understanding of nutrition. Picture: The Healthy Mummy

She joined the health and wellbeing platform when Covid hit in 2020.

“During my flare ups (fibromyalgia) I rested mostly, but I still pushed through where I could,” she said.

“Over time with my stubborn determination, I started to walk a bit further and now I walk a fair distance without issue.

“With fibromyalgia, you need to be mindful of the exercise you are doing and the surfaces you are walking on to avoid inflaming the disease. I still can’t do floor work on my knees, and my wrists are an issue, but I am very proud that I am now living a healthy and active life.”

Manuela’s advice for anyone looking to make a change is ‘don’t be scared to try and don’t be ashamed of struggling’. Picture: The Healthy Mummy

Manuela said when it came to food, she struggled with portion control and would often overindulge.

But once she learned how to track her calories and gained a better understanding of nutrition, it “brought her success”.

“All I can say is that I am healthier, managing life so much better and having less and less crippling episodes.”

Manuela said for her, it has never been about what she looks like, as her lifestyle change was triggered by her desire to be around for her family.

“I am very happy and surprised when I look in the mirror, and I love how clothes feel and fit now,” she told news.com.au.

“I would absolutely wear a bikini to the beach these days and love the freedom that losing weight has allowed me when I’m buying clothes and dressing up.

“I love dressing up, but how I look is just a wonderful secondary benefit of embracing a healthy and fit lifestyle.”

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