McDonald’s worker drops 40kg after kicking fast food addiction

A former McDonald’s employee who snacked on fast food at work has unveiled her new look after dropping 40kg and five dress sizes.

A former McDonald’s worker who gained weight after snacking on fast food during work has shared how she lost an incredible 40kg and five dress sizes.

At just 14, Abby Williams scored a job at her local McDonald’s restaurant to help give her some extra pocket money.

It also meant she could indulge in discounted fries, burgers and ice cream throughout her shifts.

Although it sounds like every teenager’s dream, it slowly caused her waistline to expand over the years, until she reached her heaviest weight of 98kg and was wearing a size 18-20.

But the now 23-year-old, from Sydney, decided to turn her life around in 2018 after her size caused her self-esteem to plummet to the point where she ‘hated’ looking in the mirror.

Abby said she always felt like the biggest one out of her friend group. Picture: Instagram / @abbyywx_

She now works as a personal trainer to help others acheive their health goals. Picture: Instagram / @abbyywx_

“I was never a chubby kid, but the weight did start piling on after I started working at McDonalds” she told news.com.au

“I don’t blame Maccas at all, I blame my own willpower and I had no knowledge about why I was gaining weight.

“I would snack on fries, ice cream and burgers throughout my shifts, and would always be drinking loads of orange juice.

“I reached my heaviest weight of 98kg in 2017, and I was wearing a size 18-20.

“I woke up one day and finally decided I was sick of being bigger than all my friends and struggling to find clothes that fit me.

“I didn’t love what I saw in the mirror, so I knew I needed to change.”

The former McDonald's worker has turned her life around. Picture: Supplied.

During her shifts at her heaviest, Abby would often eat a bacon and egg McMuffin for breakfast and a large double cheeseburger meal with six nuggets for lunch, while she would drink orange juice and lemonade throughout the day.

After dropping her fast food habits and focusing on calorie counting paired with getting 10,000 steps a day.

In just 18 months, Abby had dropped 44kg, going from 98kg to 54kg, but gained four kilograms in order to feel at her healthiest.

She now weighs 58kg and wears a size 8-10 and says she feels her best and strongest self at this weight.

“I learnt along the way that skinny does not always mean healthy. I got down to 54kg, and a size 6-8, but I didn’t feel like my healthiest self.

“Through eating a bit more, I could train better at the gym and I put on a few more kilograms.
“At 58kg, I think this is the best weight for me, I feel healthy and strong.”

Abby said she 'hated' looking at herself in the mirror before she lost weight. Picture:Instagram / @abbyywx_

She said she now has more choice in outfits after losing weight. Picture: Instagram / @abbyywx_

Abby said at first she only focused on walking more, but then slowly amped up her exercise routine to include fitness classes at her local gym.

She now lives by the mantra “strong is the new skinny” and loves to focus on weight training to add lean muscle and tone her body.

“At first, I just focused on counting my calories and keeping this within the range I needed to lose weight.

“I began simply walking more, which made a huge difference. I then joined my local gym and took part in group fitness classes.

“I now love weight training, and now work out five days a week.”

Her weight loss even inspired a career change: while she was in childcare, Abby decided to pursue personal training in order to help others like her.

Abby at her heaviest before dropping 40kg. Picture: Supplied.

The personal trainer now works out 4 - 5 days a week. Picture: Instagram / @abbyywx_

These days, Abby eats nutritious and balanced meals, but says she still allows herself to indulge in fast food every couple of months.

She said she doesn’t believe in heavy restriction, and will give in to her ‘cravings’ as long as it fits into her day.

Abby feels more confident than ever in her new 58kg frame. Picture: Instagram / @abbyywx_

Abby went from being a size 18-20, to a 8-10. Picutre: Instagram / @abbyywx_

Some of her healthier go-to McDonalds options include a medium cheeseburger meal, a ham and cheese toastie, a chicken and cheese burger, or a chicken patty on its own for a snack.

“I still allow myself to indulge in things that I enjoy, and I’ll still eat McDonald’s every now and then” she said.

“Once you start restricting your cravings completely, you’re just setting yourself up for a binge.

Abby says she now feels more confident and healthier than ever, and has two simple words of advice for those wanting to lose weight.

“Just start” she said.

“All you have to do is educate yourself and stay committed to it. You will get results.”