You Got This: ‘Shock divorce’ sparks woman’s 30kg shred

Kyla Cox feels like a completely “new person” after her sudden marriage breakdown prompted her 30kg transformation.

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Kyla Cox vowed to make a lifestyle change the moment her marriage ended.

The 35-year-old, from Adelaide, didn’t realise just how much of a back seat her own needs were taking until she split from her then-husband of eight years.

“I was the biggest I had ever been during that relationship [and] my confidence was at an all-time-low,” Kyla said.

“Then, having to find out I was also being cheated on, well you can imagine how soul destroying that is.”

Kyla said it was following her divorce three years ago, that she realised “how much I let myself go”.

“I would avoid all pictures and mirrors at all costs. Even going out, I would change about five times before leaving the house,” she said.

Kyla Cox, 35, from Adelaide, said her ‘shock’ divorce is what sparked her transformation. Picture: Supplied

Kyla, who described her divorce as a “shock”, said rather than pitying herself, she used it as an opportunity to “find myself again”.

“I think everyone gets to that low point in their life and unfortunately for me, that was it,” she said.

For the next three years she focused on her health and wellbeing, and ultimately went on to lose 30kg after signing up to Lite n’ Easy and joining her local gym.

“I couldn’t even run for one minute. I tried to keep up with my stepson with footy and couldn’t last more than five minutes,” Kyla said.

She went on to lose 30kg following her divorce three years ago. Picture: Supplied

Kyla, who weighed 95kg at the time, said her ‘confidence was at an all-time-low’. Picture: Supplied

But now, after tweaking her diet and dedicating six days a week to training, the 35-year-old said she has never felt fitter and mentally stronger.

“I started at the gym three days a week which was hard [at first], especially when you had a bad day, but I chose to go in thinking even a half-hour is better than nothing,” Kyla said.

“I found new friends who loved exercise too and would go for walks with them. I would also set myself mini goals so it was more achievable then focusing on the bigger picture.”

The team leader said the change was “completely necessary” as her health began to suffer.

She said her diet mainly comprised of oversized portions of pizza and pasta and other “cheap and easy” takeaway meals.

Kyla now trains six times a week and is focusing on toning and building more muscle. Picture: Supplied

Kyla said her transformation reinvigorated her health and personal life. Picture: Supplied

“I was snoring heaps, always felt lethargic and just struggled to do day-to-day things like play with my stepson,” Kyla said.

But today she feels like a “new person” after gaining a better understanding surrounding nutrition and how to fuel her body with a balanced diet.

“The weight loss completely reinvigorated my health, and my personal life. I’m more positive, happy and energetic,” she said.

“I may not have found love yet, but I have got my confidence back and that is so important for me before I head back into the dating world.”

For others also looking to make a lifestyle change, Kyla advises to “start small”.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself and be kind to yourself. Reward yourself for when you hit your goal whether it’s a new piece of clothing or new earrings and then reset and start again.”

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Originally published as You Got This: ‘Shock divorce’ sparks woman’s 30kg shred