Toowoomba mother’s remarkable wedding transformation revealed

This Toowoomba mother lost an incredible 48kg as part of her fitness transformation leading up to her wedding in April. Here’s her advice to others in her shoes.

MIGHTY MUM: Mother of two, Jemma Preston's incredible body transformation saw her lose a total of 48 kilograms leading up to her wedding in April this year. Here's how she did it and her advice to others on their weight loss journey. Pictures: Contributed

Jemma Preston is living proof that when it comes to major weight loss the majority of the battle is all in your head – not your stomach.

When the mother of two began her weight loss journey in 2019 she tipped the scales at 130kg, and knew she needed to make a serious lifestyle change to become the fun, active and healthy mum she wanted to be.

Before her weight loss surgery, Jemma Preston tipped the scales at 130kg but this mother of two warns that surgery is not a magical solve-all solution.

“I decided to get weight loss surgery because my health issues were getting out of hand and I was worried for my future,” she said.

“I quickly lost 40 kilograms but because I didn’t make the right lifestyle and diet changes, I eventually gained most of it back on again which was completely devastating when I discovered I no longer fit into my wedding dress.”

This was exactly the motivation the mum needed, and began training four times a week at World’s Gym.

Ms Preston said after initially losing 40 kilograms after her surgery, she soon put the weight back on because she did not commit to a healthy lifestyle change.

“From September 2020 I knew I had to have a new mindset when it came to weight loss, my stomach might have been 20 per cent the size but if I didn’t commit to a better life, I wasn’t going to change anything” she said.

“Over the next few months I managed to drop back down to 82 kilograms and by April this year I ended up being one size too small for my dress which was such a satisfying feeling.”

Jemma Preston's incredible body transformation pictures highlight just how far the mum of two has come since she tipped the scales at her heaviest of 130kg. Now she is a happy, healthy 82kg

Ms Preston said she felt she had become a better mother since losing the extra weight.

“I am so much happier in myself and I feel more comfortable going out in public and I can fit into normal clothes now – which seems like a small thing but feels incredible after so many years of feeling the need to hide away behind big baggy tracksuits and hoodies,” she said.

She also warned of the dangers of having a relaxed mindset following weight loss surgery.

Jemma Preston's incredible body transformation is an inspiration to young mums everywhere.

“Weight loss surgery in itself is really hard, because the weight initially just drops off but then it becomes a major mind game,” Ms Preston said.

“My five-year-old daughter was eating more than I was at that time and when I initially lost all the weight in my mind I thought I’ve got a small stomach now I can get away with eating what I want, drinking a lot of iced coffee and not working out, but I’d essentially spent $20,000 to be as unhealthy and unhappy as I was before.”

Jemma Preston's incredible body transformation pictures highlight just how far the mum of two has come since she tipped the scales at her heaviest of 150 kilograms. Now she is a happy, healthy 82 kilograms.

Now the fit, fun loving mum is enjoying life at her healthiest size to date.

“Through my journey I believe the weight loss experience is a two part battle,” she said.

“You definitely have to start with the motivation to get there in the first place but you also need to part of a gym where you belong and feel comfortable.”

Ms Preston said as a proud advocate for loving the skin you’re in, she said it’s just as important to give yourself some tough love sometimes.

“It’s important to love and respect and appreciate your body, but sometimes you do need to be a little tough with yourself and push yourself because you are capable of so much more than you realise,” she said.

“If I can share my weight loss story and it resonates with one person out there who is also struggling with their journey then I feel like I’ve achieved something.”