[News] Overweight mother, 46, who shed half her weight and entered bodybuilding competition reveals how she achieved her weight goals

An Australian mother shed half her body weight in four years and then took part a bodybuilding competition.

Jodie Marquardt, 46, was on the brink of type 2 diabetes weighing 105.2kg at her heaviest, which prompted her to start exercising and to forego takeaways.

The financial advisor from Townsville started with daily walks before increasing her exercise regime.

She now looks “ten years younger”, weighing a healthy 54.4kg.

Jodie had a breast reduction and lift as well as a skin removal procedure in November 2019.

In January 2020, she decided to step out of her comfort zone and decided to train for a bodybuilding competition, which she took part in in September 2021.

Jodie wants to take part in further competitions.

She said: “I never thought I would enter a bodybuilding competition in my life.

“But after reaching my goal weight of 70kg (11 stone) in nine months by eating fresh wholesome foods, daily walks and gym workouts – I decided to push myself even further.

“People say the transformation has taken ten years off my appearance, but more importantly, I feel ten years younger too.

“I have so much more energy and I’m keen to get out of my comfort zone.”

Before losing weight, Jodie would often find herself eating a large pepperoni pizza and snacking on a family size block of chocolate.

She adds: “I used to try and fool people by eating a salad in public and then stuffing my face with junk in private.

“I had tried many fad diets before but this time I was serious because my health was on the line.

“I decided to take a different approach by changing one habit at a time then moving onto the next area rather than changing everything at once and giving up when it got too hard.

“So rather than junk food daily, I cut back to two days per week and it slowly led to zero.

“I began walking every day, initially only 2km, which would leave me a sweaty mess.

“I knew the road to better health would be difficult but I was determined to do it.”

She said: “I was curvy and busty before and I wore a J cup bra at my heaviest.

“It is amazing how much more mobile I am without the bigger bust and stomach – little things, like being able to tie my laces.

“It’s a constant delight to be able to move freely and feel comfortable in my own skin.”

She said that despite achieving her weight goals, she remains disciplined.

She said: “Even on cheat days, I choose healthier dishes such as steak and salad rather than a KFC takeaway.

“I hope my story highlights the fact anything is possible.

“I am woman in my forties – with a career, family and house to run.

“It is not impossible, it just takes consistency.

“From 42 to 46, I have transformed my life for the better and other women can too.”