YOU GOT THIS: Photo sparks woman’s bikini modelling journey

It was the holiday snap that prompted this Sydney woman to ditch her unhealthy diet and embark on fitness modelling journey.

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Saskia Eichler’s weight loss transformation began back in 2011 when she came across a photo from a holiday in Thailand.

The then 26-year-old was wearing a bikini as she looked directly into the camera while getting strapped to paraglide.

But Ms Eichler said she barely recognised herself as she looked back at the photo in “disbelief”.

“I was always slim in high school and for most of my twenties and now I was a shadow of my former-self,” Ms Eichler told news.com.au.

“The once self-confident woman that was me, was hiding her frame under baggy clothes,” remembering she asked herself: “How did I get here?”

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The photo that sparked Saskia Eichler’s transformation. Her diet comprised of ‘heavy drinking’ and calorie-dense foods that left her feeling lethargic and lacking in confidence. Picture: Supplied

Saskia is now a competitive bikini and fitness model. Picture: Milad Khatib/Studio Momento

Throughout her late twenties, Ms Eichler, now 37, led a lifestyle that comprised of heavy drinking and partying and while she enjoyed social events, she said it became a bit “too excessive”.

“I was drinking every day, lots of beer and wine. But it varied,” she said.

“Some days would typically start with a breakfast sandwich and coffee.

“Lunch was usually a steak sandwich, burger or chicken schnitzel and dinner was usually something calorie dense after a few hours of wines after work.”

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Her fitness journey began in 2011, after seeing the photo of herself during a trip to Thailand.

The Sydney events manager said her “unhappiness” led her down a path of constant partying, before she eventually made the decision to end her “bad habits”.

After making the commitment to put her health first, Ms Eichler went on to compete in her very first ever bikini competition.

“It’s a very raw feeling not feeling happy when you look in the mirror, especially when you know deep down that it’s a result of poor choices and a lot of partying,” Ms Eichler told news.com.au.

“I didn’t give it too much thought at the time; I was too busy partying to really notice it happening until I did.”

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Ms Eichler then started strength and conditioning training at her local Bondi gym in Sydney and started to notice the changes to her body.

She then walked into her local Bondi gym, Signature Fitness, where she turned her life around.

“I fell in love with strength training and the encouraging environment. The guys and girls I would train with would encourage you to go that little heavier and push that little harder as well as cheer you on when you hit a new personal best,” Ms Eichler said.

But aside from the physical strength, she said it also helped her to regain her confidence.

“My weight started to shift and my body started to change and with that brought back a sense of empowerment that nothing else had seemed to be able to do before,” Ms Eichler said.

Saskia said she has now limited her drinking considerably and has overhauled her diet to include more nutritional-based foods. Picture: Milad Khatib/Studio Momento

The 37-year-old events manager said she sees ‘hard work, discipline, strength’ every time she looks in the mirror today. Picture: Instagram

Last year, the 37-year-old entered the I Complete Natural (ICN) competition where she placed second, fourth and fifth in the sports and fitness model categories.

“It was one of the most eye-opening experiences to date and I personally feel I learnt more about myself going through that prep than I ever could have imagined,” she said.

As for her exercise, Ms Eichler said she kicked off her weight loss journey by training five days a week, and also giving her nutrition a “complete overhaul”.

“I have limited my drinking considerably. I now choose the stairs instead of the escalator and opt to walk home from the gym rather than getting the bus,” she said.

“It’s funny how small little changes and habits don’t seem to make a huge difference at the time, but over time they really add up.”

As for her bikini modelling, the 37-year-old said she can’t wait to get back on stage this year.

“The only person stopping you from where you want to be is you … it really is that simple,” she said.

“You are what you tell yourself, so please don’t let your limiting beliefs overrun your life.”

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