Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Simone Anderson, Allen & Unwin, $29.99.
This is a truly motivational story. It’s not only about optimism over body images and learning to love yourself, but it’s also about defining goals. This is one rousing story about how Simone lost half her body weight and found a new way of life. Incredible!
When Anderson’s weight peaked at 169kg, she realised how overweight she was and decided to take action. The social media influencer and blogger shared her progress on Facebook to keep herself accountable, and her fan base grew rapidly as she underwent gastric-sleeve surgery and lost a massive 88kg.
Her story went viral when she shared photos of the excess skin that remained after her weight loss. After she was offered surgery to remove the skin, she documented the whole experience and got worldwide media attention.
Where once her diet had been mainly hot chips, pies and sweets, she made a rule about not eating anything out of a packet. “I got rid of all the junk food in my pantry and restocked with lean meat, fruit and vegies. I’m now a size 12.”
How did Simone do it? She started exercising gently, swimming every day to get her body moving. Once a few kilos had been shed she felt confident enough to start going for short walks, too.
She lost 20kg in two months, but was constantly hungry so then she took the next step and — had gastric sleeve surgery to shrink her stomach. “It was gruelling but the effects were immediate. Each week the number on the scales dropped.”
“When I stood on those factory scales, I could never have dreamt that I would be wearing a size 12 one day. The path has been far from easy – at times I nearly lost hope. But I’m proof that it is possible to turn your life around, and it’s so worth it.”
This book should inspire other women never to give up hope.
