Feeling fab at 58: I dropped three dress sizes in 12 weeks after my weight spiralled out of control. Here’s how I did it
Anna Lijphart has always considered herself fairly ‘fit and healthy’.
But that changed dramatically during the pandemic, when the added stress caused her to drink alcohol more than ever and binge eat.
“I was filled with self-loathing every day,” the 58-year-old told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I’ve always prided myself on my fitness, but during Covid my drinking spiraled out of control and so did my weight.’
As her weight continued to increase, Anna made poor choices every time she drank alcohol – and she couldn’t seem to quit it.
“After a glass of wine, I thought a bag of chips was a great idea,” she said.
The tour guide, who is an avid hiker and mountain climber, said she indulged in snacks including ice cream and lollipops, and lots of bread.
Then she reached a point where she drank more alcohol than water, leaving her deeply dehydrated and miserable.
“I was oblivious to drinking water all day,” she explained.
Anna Lijphart has always considered herself fairly ‘fit and healthy’. But that changed dramatically during the pandemic, when the added stress caused her to drink alcohol and binge eat more than ever (photos were taken 12 weeks apart)
She also gradually gained weight due to menopause, which slowed her metabolism, combined with eating and drinking too much during Covid.
Her weight peaked at 83 kg (184 lbs) and she wore a size 14.
She knew she had to overcome her bad drinking habits when she started having a hard time on one of her walks.
“One day I went for a walk and felt really slowed down by my hangover,” she recalls.
Anna had already stopped drinking twice, so she thought she could do it again.
However, she felt ‘discouraged’ because she was afraid she would start drinking again.
“I thought, ‘Of course I know I can quit on my own, but I don’t feel like I can keep it up,’” she said.
When she got into her car after the walk, she started looking up podcasts about quitting alcohol.
She came across a podcast by James Swanwick, the Australian-American founder of Alcohol Free Lifestyle, a science-based program to help individuals change their relationship with alcohol.
“It really spoke to me,” she said.
As her weight escalated, Anna made poor choices every time she drank alcohol
‘I spoke to a coach the next day and signed up straight away. It has changed my life for the better in so many immeasurable ways.”
She made the decision to eat healthier and eliminate alcohol completely – and not just for a few weeks.
‘I eventually decided to follow a strict high-protein diet with fewer calories. “I stuck to the diet and lost the weight in about three months,” she said.
Anna lost 13.5kg within 12 weeks of not drinking.
‘I have created new routines and don’t even crave alcohol anymore. “I learned to socialize without alcohol in a drinking culture,” she said.
‘I have learned to address my emotions instead of numbing them. I have learned to set boundaries and enforce them.
‘Going alcohol-free has given me focus, clarity, greater productivity and pride in prioritizing health and wellbeing.’
Anna now weighs 70 kg (155 lbs) after going from size 12-14 to size 8-10.
“I have lost the weight I wanted and feel like myself again,” she said.
“Getting back to a healthy weight took away the self-loathing that had become part of every day. Now there is no longer a discrepancy between my identity as a healthy and strong person and what I look like on the outside.’
Anna wore a size 12-14 – after her weight peaked at 83 kilos
Despite eating healthy, she never deprives herself of her favorite snacks.
‘It’s hard to be healthy all the time. “I treat myself to ice cream, cake or cookies every now and then,” she said.
Her favorite exercises are walking and cycling, which she does regularly to stay in shape.
“On days when I’m not walking, I ride my Peloton for 30 minutes and do some free weights and core training,” she said.
‘I try to walk or cycle wherever I can (for example to the supermarket).’
Looking back at old photos of herself, Anna said she feels happier and healthier than ever.
‘I am very happy. The weight loss was huge for my self-esteem and confidence,” she said.
“Every day I am grateful for the freedom, clarity and purpose I get from putting alcohol in my rearview mirror. I look and feel better.”
Looking back at old photos of herself, Anna said she feels happier and healthier than ever
Anna credits the coaches in the program for educating her about the “neuroscience behind the effects of alcohol on the body.”
“Surprise, it’s a toxic poison,” she said.
She was so inspired by what she learned about the harm alcohol does to society that she and four women from Alcohol Free Lifestyle founded AWAKE, a nonprofit organization that promotes alcohol awareness.
If you’re trying to lose weight, Anna suggests the first step is to eliminate alcohol.
“Quitting alcohol feels like a necessity,” she said.
“Besides the empty calories, it’s hard to stay disciplined with alcohol in the mix.” And alcohol isn’t just empty calories, it’s a class 1 carcinogen and a neurotoxin that affects your cognitive abilities.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive substance that can lead to dependence.
It is classified as a group 1 carcinogen, putting it in the highest risk category alongside asbestos, radiation and tobacco.
“It’s quite difficult to lose weight when your body is busy defending itself against the effects of alcohol,” Anna added.