In a remarkable journey of self-transformation, Sydney resident Brittany McCrystal, 27, has defied conventional dieting wisdom by losing over 20 kilograms while still indulging in her favorite foods. Brittany’s story serves as an inspiring example of how she bid adieu to excess weight and embraced a healthier lifestyle.
Five years ago, the idea of donning a bikini was unthinkable for Brittany. Plagued by excess weight and a negative self-image, she couldn’t even look at herself in the mirror without a sense of self-loathing. But today, her life tells a different story.
Brittany’s transformation began with a simple yet powerful philosophy: “I give my body what it needs and what it wants,” she shared with 7Life. “I am eating my favorite foods without the restriction of diets.”
Reflecting on her past, Brittany revealed that she was once trapped in the cycle of yo-yo dieting. “I remember waking up every day and hating myself… hating my body,” she confided. At 157 centimeters tall, she weighed 82 kilograms.
To achieve her desired physique, Brittany initially delved into the world of fad diets, drastically cutting down her carbohydrate intake. She confided, “I was overweight, tired, and stuck in fad dieting. I would get results in the first few weeks, but they stopped working. These diets promised miracles but never had long-lasting results.”
The restrictive nature of her diet took a toll on her social life as well. Brittany’s strict regimen prevented her from enjoying meals with friends, leading to occasional “binge eating” episodes when she did decide to indulge. These weekend binges ultimately contributed to her fatigue.
Recognizing that she wasn’t consuming enough carbohydrates to fuel her body, Brittany sought medical advice and was informed that she needed to reintroduce carbs into her diet. “Carbs fuel your body,” her doctor stressed. “But I was terrified of carbs!” she admitted.
With a wake-up call ringing in her ears, Brittany began a journey of research into proper nutrition and healthy weight loss. “Everything changed. I was like, ‘What! I can eat my favorite foods?'” she exclaimed.
Her transformation didn’t rely solely on exercise. While Brittany began incorporating twice-daily, 30-minute walks into her routine, her real breakthrough occurred in the kitchen. A self-proclaimed lover of cooking, Brittany began creating healthier versions of her beloved takeaway meals, which she fondly referred to as ‘fakeaways.’
Simple swaps like switching to low-fat cheese and opting for lean meat made a significant difference. “When I first realized I could eat cheese, I couldn’t believe it. Everything has a balance,” she said. These simple changes allowed her to continue enjoying delicious foods without the added weight.
Brittany generously shared her newfound knowledge and recipes on her social media platforms, amassing a following of over 700,000 individuals. Since embarking on her journey, she has lost more than 20 kilograms, now weighing a healthy 59 kilograms.
But her transformation isn’t just physical. Brittany’s mental health has undergone a profound shift, and she no longer defines her self-worth by the size on her clothing tag. “I was always trying to fit in clothes, never trying to find clothes to fit me,” she expressed. “If I have to size up or size down, it doesn’t matter.”
Brittany continues to prioritize her health, maintaining her daily walks and introducing strength training at her local gym. With a nutrition course and personal training accreditation under her belt, she is now sharing her wisdom and tips with others, offering hope to those who, like her, were once stuck in the cycle of yo-yo dieting.
In her words, “There is a light at the end of the tunnel. So many people were like me, stuck like I was.”
