Losing 61 kilos is no easy task but Curtin University of Technology staff member, Allison Taylor, has triumphed in this challenge and will now represent WA in the national finals of the Weight Watchers Healthy Life Awards.<\/p>\n
Ms Taylor, from Leeming, said the hardest part of the whole process was just getting started.<\/p>\n
\u201cSticking to the program was not difficult for me, rather it was taking the first step that proved the main obstacle,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had the motivation as I knew how important it was to have a healthier lifestyle especially since I was recovering from treatment for breast cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it is not easy to make the first move when you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Taylor, however, did find what she needed to start her journey and by July 2009, after nine and a half months, she had lost 52 kilos. Since then she has lost nine more and is still going strong maintaining her weight in the healthy range.<\/p>\n
\u201cI revamped my whole lifestyle to make important changes like ensuring I had time to exercise,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI credit Curtin as a workplace that places an emphasis on a healthy lifestyle and supports its staff members in pursuing a work-life balance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was able to take advantage of the University\u2019s Healthy Lifestyle Program and take time off during my workday to get to the gym.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also helped that Curtin staff and students now enjoy a new state-of-the-art gym on Campus which made exercising so convenient.<\/p>\n
Ms Taylor works in the University\u2019s Office of Research and Development and credits her colleagues for her success as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support I received from my colleagues at work was also another key to my success as they really provided a lot of encouragement for me to carry on towards my goal,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ms Taylor will spend a week in Sydney leading up to the national finals on 18 November were she will go up against finalists from other states.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am thrilled to be in the finals as it marks the culmination of a very rewarding journey for me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\n\u201cI hope to inspire others to make the change for a healthier life as the benefits go far beyond just looking good to being able to enjoy a whole new lease on life.\u201d<\/p>\n