'You can enjoy life and still see absolutely unbelievable results': Secretary, 27, sheds 25 KILOS in less than a year - without giving up ice cream or cheeseburgers
- A young office worker has shed 25 kilos in an incredible body transformation
- Jessica Ay tipped the scales at 78 kilos after living off junk food and takeaway
- But she dropped three dress sizes while eating six times a day within 12 months
- She started counting macros rather than follow strict diet while eating six meals
A young secretary whose weight escalated after living off an unhealthy diet of junk food and takeaway meals has shed three dress sizes while eating six times a day.
Jessica Ay tipped the scales at 78 kilos after experiencing a 'vicious' cycle of 'undereating and overeating' junk food and takeaway meals.
'I was a super fussy eater and naturally ate and enjoyed junk food and refused to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables,' the 27-year-old Australian told FEMAIL.
'I ate a lot of takeaway and had no real understanding of calories and energy intake in food so I quite literally ate whatever I wanted to.
'I started fluctuating in my later years gaining noticeable amounts of weight due to having an office job and having some poor eating habits.'
But determined to get on top of her weight once and for all, she lost 25 kilos within 12 months after counting her macros rather than follow strict diets or unrealistic workout plans.
She now credits 'flexible dieting' for her size six physique where she eats 80 per cent wholefoods and 20 per cent of anything she wants, within reason.
Before and after: Jessica Ay whose weight escalated after living off an unhealthy diet has shed three dress sizes despite eating six times a day
But determined to get on top of her weight once and for all, she lost 25 kilos within 12 months after counting her macros rather than follow strict diets or unrealistic workout plans
Before her weight loss, Jessica - who grew up feeling self-conscious of her body - said she was always thin until she started her office job.
'I would swing between undereating and overeating. So some days I will punish myself and eat as little as I could and then other days I would eat excessively - having lots of takeaway for most meals and also sit at a secretary job all day,' she explained.
'The vast majority of my weight was gained quite quickly just through "switching off" my consciousness to my health and fitness. It was the perfect storm of eating more - and worse food choices - and moving less.
'I would then follow it with days of restriction and exercise so it very much was a vicious yo-yo cycle. Of the exercise I did, it was always very casual and low key. I never exercised excessively and only really ever upped the anti when I was paying close attention to my weight.'
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The 27-year-old tipped the scales at 78 kilos after experiencing a 'vicious' cycle of 'undereating and overeating' junk food and takeaway meal. But she has since overhauled her lifestyle
Her turning point to lose weight came after she was fed up with how she was feeling about her size 14 frame. She now feels happier after her amazing weight loss
Jessica said she started struggling with her self-image, and eventually her weight gain affected her social life.
'My confidence was very much shattered. I really avoided social situations at all costs and hid as best as I could in baggy clothes. I really didn't feel like myself at all,' she said.
'Weight gain is a real torment with your mind, I remember blinking and it was as though the weight had just piled on. One day I was in shape and the next minute I was incredibly out of shape.
'It was so scary and the thing about gaining weight is that you really don't always notice the extent of the weight gain until it's too late and that was me.
'I was shocked at how much I'd gained in about a year and knew it would require time and effort to get it off.'
Her turning point to lose weight came after she was fed up with how she was feeling about her size 14 frame.
'I knew I needed to change and also was aware that it was just going to keep getting worse if I didn't,' she said.
So she turned to Equalution - a science-based nutrition program involving meeting daily targets of macronutrients - protein, carbohydrate and fat - that have been calculated based on the dieter's age, gender, activity level and any condition.
'It was an absolute game changer for me. All my life I thought dieting meant suffering and was really just a matter of how long can you put yourself through misery to get the body you want and sometimes you might not even get there,' she said.
'But what Equalution taught me is that you can live life, enjoy food and see absolutely unbelievable results - more so than I ever thought possible - without deprivation.'
She now enjoys 80 per cent wholesome and nutritious food and 20 per cent 'soul food'
After one year of tweaking her lifestyle, she lost 25 kilos - and she now feels happier and fitter
After one year of tweaking her lifestyle, she lost 25 kilos - and she now feels happier and fitter more than ever.
'It still blows my mind as I enjoyed a range of foods and food groups and didn't cut and eliminate anything. I was so much more mindful and learnt the art of balance and portion control,' she said.
'So where I'd have KFC for lunch and then potentially another takeaway meal for dinner, I'll instead just ensure I'm meeting my body's macro needs and keeping within my calories rather than writing days off.'
She ensured her diet included nutrient density foods such as lean meats, protein sources, fruits and vegetables - all while enjoying her guilty pleasures.
'I incorporate treats as part of my daily diet and still see results and not feeling the need to binge. I would say I have a 80/20 approach to nutrition, I enjoy 80 per cent wholesome and nutritious food and 20 per cent "soul food",' she said.
'As a result my overall stamina, health and fitness and even energy levels have significantly increased - I'm like a different person. I never thought I'd be one to say this but I actually am proud of and like what I see.
'Of course naturally as a woman I am always striving to improve but I am so much more confident and comfortable in my own skin.'
For those who want to lose weight, Jessica said: 'Education is absolutely key in getting from A to B when it comes to your health and fitness goals. Stop thinking about it and just do it, I regret putting off making moves for so long.'
