Losing 61 kilos is no easy task but Â鶹ֱ²¥ 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
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\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