Today’s Real Mum Story is from Tamara, mum to Oscar who is 2.  Tamara has always been overweight and it wasn’t until she had Oscar that she realised that her weight was a problem.  Through sheer determination she lost 41kg and discovered that for her feeling fat, tired and unhappy was WAY harder than sticking to a healthy eating and exercising plan as well as looking after a toddler and working.Real Mum Stories - Tamara's weight loss

“My name is Tamara and here is my story.
I am a 28yr old mummy to a cheeky 2yr old little monkey, Oscar. I am married to a Military man and currently reside in the Southern suburbs of Sydney, NSW.  I have been using the Lose Baby Weight 28 day challenges since November 2014 and combined with the  Healthy Mummy Smoothies have

lost 41kgs in that time. Going from 113kgs to 72kgs and a size 18/20 to a size 10/12.

A lot of my weight issues began as a teenager when my parents separated. I grew up in Townsville, Nth  Qld and since about the age of 15 have always been overweight; always hovering at 100kgs. I have tried many other diets, weight loss products and fads but never managed to lose weight and keep it off.  Always hitting a plateau and giving up.
When I was 20 I met my now husband whilst in Townsville. He is in the Navy and travels all the time for work. I fell head over heels in love and made the decision to leave my family, friends and my supports to move to Sydney to be with him.  Unfortunately, after only living together for a couple of months he then went away for over 3 months. I was living in a city I didn’t know, by myself, without a job and without any friends or family close by. My weight issues continued. I am an emotional eater without a doubt. I feel lonely and I eat. I feel happy and I eat. My weight has always been an issue for me but I never really felt like it was an actual ‘problem’ until I had my son, Oscar.  Real Mum Stories - Tamara's weight loss
My husband was away for work for the majority of my pregnancy. And although it wasn’t a difficult pregnancy and had no complications (thankfully) because of my weight I wasn’t able to give birth at my local hospital and I was monitored very closely. Full term I hit 123kgs. I still didn’t think I had a ‘problem.’  I stress ate during my pregnancy to cope with my husband being away and missing out on ultrasounds and appointments. There was also a point where we didn’t think he would be home for the birth.

It wasn’t until my son was 9 months old that I realised my weight was a big problem.

At this point I was 113kgs and I was unfit, I was unhealthy and I was so unhappy. I hated how I looked in photos with my son. I hated that I was still wearing my stretchy maternity clothes and most of all I hated that he was going to start walking soon and then I wouldn’t be able to keep up with him. I was sitting on the sidelines watching my son grow up and not being fully involved like I should have been when I imagined having children.  This was my turning point. This is when I found Lose Baby Weight, and I started my first 28 day challenge.  I never looked back. November 2014 was my beginning.  

But then the hardest part of my weight loss journey was about to begin. 2015 saw me going back to work, trying to continue to exercise and eat well and my husband going away for long periods of time for work.

But now that I think back to 2015, it was a breeze compared to this year. (It also saw me lose the majority of my weight.)  This year my husband has moved to Melbourne for work and I remain in Sydney with our son. This has  been our biggest challenge to date. It has not only put strain on our relationship but also strain on my health and fitness. I am an emotional eater from way back and dealing with a two year old who thinks he’s 20 by myself has been incredibly difficult and stressful. I have some amazing friends but it is not the same as having that person to back you up in the house. There isn’t that person there to stop you from reaching for the chocolate or the ice cream on a bad day. There isn’t that person there reminding you of how far you’ve come. There isn’t that person there to pat you on the back when you’ve had a great day.  Real Mum Stories - Tamara stagg 3

I have to have self control. I have to support myself. I have to tell myself how well I am doing. Because it’s me, and only me.

Some things that I have learnt very very quickly with now being by myself, parenting my two year old and working is that I have to make sure that on my day’s off work I am super organised and do my meal plan. I bake batches of muffins, I cook up meals that I can freeze so on my work days I don’t have to worry about getting dinner on the table with my son at my feet. I plan out my lunches and snacks so I don’t fall into the trap of picking up easy options at a cafe.  On my work days I get up at 5.20am so that I can fit in time on my Crosstrainer or doing the Healthy Mummy Exercise DVD so that I have done my exercise before the day really starts. I also fit in loads of incidental exercise by parking my car as far away from work as I can and also fitting in a 30 minute walk during my lunch break.
All of my exercise on my days off I do with my son. I have to because I have no choice. He comes everywhere with me. We do mums n bubs boot camp together, we do park run together, and we do HIIT circuits at home together. He is very encouraging saying things like ‘run mum run’ and he claps for me.  

I’ve come to realise that we can all choose our hard. Exercising and eating well when you’re also on your own and parenting a two year old is hard. But being overweight, unhealthy and unhappy was harder for me.

I’ve also come to realise since my husband has moved away that I am stronger than I ever realised. I am confident, I am stubborn and I am independent. I have Lose Baby Weight to thank for that.  I don’t think I would have coped the first month of him being away if I hadn’t lost the weight I had and learnt healthier ways to cope with my stress. I am also a mum. And I have to be strong for my son.
Thanks so much Tamara, we think you are AMAZING!
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Every month on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge, we run a BRAND NEW 28 Day Menu with a different theme so you NEVER get bored!Next month’s theme is the SLOW COOKING AND ONE POT WINTER WONDERS! – Perfect for the chilly winter weather, SUPER easy to whip up and still just as healthy.If you are curious about the 28 Day Challenge recipes then we have a 28 Day Challenge recipe pack for you to try HERE.
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Find a delicious range of healthy recipes, packed full of energy boosting ingredients and nutrients together with easy to achieve exercise.

About the 28 Day Challenge

A few key things to note are:

  • The Challenge menu is FULLY customisable
  • You have access to over 1700 exclusive recipes
  • You have access to over 300 exercise routines
  • Meals are family friendly and are made in under 10-20 minutes

For a limited time, we are offering you a HUGE DISCOUNT on the lifetime membership discount on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge – you can see this awesome offer here.

Here are some INCREDIBLE results from mums on the 28 Day Challenge.

Hayley Campbell Lost 15 kgs* with the 28 Day Challenges.  

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“15.4kg lost so far and there’ s no stopping me. I love that I can have a variety of clean foods and actually ENJOY them. I have also found a love for exercise that I never thought possible. Thank you Lose Baby Weight & The Healthy Mummy for giving me the knowledge to lead a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. For the first time, I don’t fear that I will put the weight back on because this is my life now, it’s healthy!”
You won’t regret it!
Join the challenge herelets-do-it