Meg, a 32-year-old accountant from South Australia, has lost 17kg naturally in 20 weeks without giving up pasta, red wine or ice cream, after months of struggling to shift weight she gained during her second pregnancy.
The size 16 mum, who says she "just all-round loves food," weighed 88kg after her second child was born in October 2021. She had always considered herself healthy, exercising daily and eating what she thought was a clean diet during the week, with indulgences at weekends.
Meg said she was following the exact same lifestyle that had worked after her first baby, but this time the weight barely moved. "No matter how hard I tried, I could not lose the weight. In fact, I'd put on more, which was super depressing," she told the Daily Mail.
The moment things changed
Meg had believed she was doing "pretty well" considering how busy she was, working full time and raising two young children. That changed when she caught sight of herself in the mirror.
"I stood in front of the mirror holding my baby, and something just clicked... I wasn't happy with how I was looking," she said. "I had to hurry up and make some serious changes."
Finding CindaFit Nutrition
While scrolling Instagram, Meg came across CindaFit Nutrition, an Australian weight loss program founded by former paramedic Lucinda Porcelli. "Fortunately, I stumbled across Cinda's Instagram and her videos just resonated with me," she said.
She said she was turning 30 in May 2022 and wanted to drop weight as fast as possible in a healthy way, and saw the program as the plan to get her there. "The biggest challenge was making the decision to do it, and then after that, reframing my mindset to let go of my bad habits," she said.
The program offers personalised routines and meal plans built around an 80/20 rule, encouraging a well-balanced, nutritious diet 80 per cent of the time while allowing room to enjoy favourite foods in moderation.
The 20-week plan
Meg signed up for a 12-week plan and lost 9kg. She then extended it for another eight weeks and lost a further 8kg, bringing her total loss to 17kg.
"The only change I made to exercise was instead of hammering at the gym, I cut back and just walked for at least 30 minutes every day. I occasionally swapped a walk for a 20-minute HIIT workout but didn't do any more than that," she said. "My diet changed through portion control. I love my food."
She said the meal plan let her eat a larger volume of food through healthier substitutions, which helped since she had always struggled with smaller portions while dieting. "I was able to eat volume and shed the kilos," she said.
A typical day of eating
As a self-described "woman of routine," Meg works from 6am to 3pm while studying full time and raising her two children, so she plans her meals each week.
Breakfast is usually overnight Weet-Bix with yoghurt and toppings, or an oats pot. "My personal favourite is Cinda's Mars Bar overnight oats. Sensational and very easy to prep as well," she said. She snacks on fruit salad with a large lactose-free coffee.
Lunch is typically ham, cheese and tomato toasties or leftovers, including a pesto chicken pasta salad she makes regularly. For dinner, her favourite is pasta, alongside steak sandwiches. Dessert is usually caramel ice cream and chocolate.
"My eating habits changed because I realised I didn't have to restrict myself - I just have to plan. If I know I am going out for tea and I want to enjoy myself, I plan for it. One night of indulgence doesn't have to ruin your whole week," she said. "There's an 80/20 balance. I absolutely treat myself to guilty pleasures. I love a glass of red - and love anything sweet like chocolates or desserts. I always include a treat for myself every day."
Staying active and the results
Meg aims to move her body for at least 30 minutes every day, with a goal of 10,000 steps. "I am an accountant so I spend a lot of time sitting, therefore getting up and moving is a must," she said.
"I did not bust myself at the gym or anything - if I had to do that it would have put me right off. Usually, I aimed for a 4km walk, occasionally I would do a 20-minute HIIT workout instead of a walk - but all body weight stuff, no free weights," she said.
Meg now wears size eight clothing after dropping 27kg overall, going from 88kg to 61kg. "It sounds cliche, but I have way more energy now than I did before," she said. "I also am much more in tune with what my body needs. Looking back, I wish I had done this years ago."
Her advice to anyone looking to lose weight: "Just make the call and get started, there's no time like the present. People who just want to learn how to get the right balance in your life would benefit from this program. I had tried so many diets in my life and this plan was sensational. I was accountable, educated and cared for and that's what made the difference. Cinda changed my life and I am forever grateful."
