Dani Biess's Story:

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I turned 17 in 2004 and have just finished writing my matric exams. Before I lost weight, I was completely in denial that I was very overweight. I always thought that I was carrying a little extra weight and the BMI was wrong, because I do in fact have a larger bone structure, and that clothes sizes were actually being made smaller than they used to be. I never really acknowledged that I had a problem until I was willing to face it. I always accepted myself and felt comfortable in my body, and if others didn’t, well that was just their problem. I always felt sluggish and lazy and had no idea that my weight was the cause of my feeling the way I did. I never had much energy, and walking my dog around the neighbourhood was a bit of a mission. I also never really felt attractive.

I used to eat large portions of very unhealthy and rich food and a lot of bread. (Now I wouldn’t be able to finish a half-sized portion of what I used to eat.)

My matric dance was fast approaching and I really wanted to look gorgeous on that special night of my life. I also realised that I was no longer comfortable being the weight I was and decided that I needed to change!

I started seeing Sandy. I was very surprised at how much food I was allowed to eat. I also had to drink a lot more water than I was used to, which was very hard. I still sometimes struggle to drink 2 litres of liquids.

I saw results within the first week and within the first month I had lost approximately 5-6kg. I immediately started losing centimetres from my waist and hips, and I have only recently started losing noticeably from my stomach.

The two most important elements in my support system were my family, who also had to change their eating habits to fit in with my weight-loss program, and Sandy Goldberg, who was continuously encouraging and inspiring me to continue losing.

When the night of my matric dance finally arrived, I had reached my first goal of losing 10kg, and even bettered it. The entire evening I felt gorgeous and sexy and, according to the feedback from many, looked it as well. I finally felt comfortable within myself, and to feel that way on such a special night was a gift.

I have lost 16kg and I went from a size 16 to a size 12 and have lost 48cm.

Losing weight has changed my life in a completely positive way and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. It has changed my life so radically that I feel as though I am a new person. I have double, if not triple the amount of energy I used to have. My head feels clear and concise, as opposed to the fuzzy, lazy feeling I was used to. My body feels lighter, I feel sexier and more attractive and I am continually receiving compliments on how I look from anyone. All of these factors have boosted my self-confidence.

The difference between looking and feeling the way I do now as opposed to how I used to is drastic and I'm happy and content in my body as it is now.

Three tips that worked for me –

1. I went to Sandy every week because it encouraged me to keep going strong.
2. I treated myself with something every week, (within limits of course). This meant that I didn’t feel as though I was on a limiting diet and I didn’t feel guilty because I was “cheating”.
3. I kept reminding myself that I wasn’t on a diet, but rather that I was changing my lifestyle from that of being unhealthy to healthy. If one thinks of yourself on a diet, you separate yourself from everyone else and subconsciously think of yourself as different. If you don’t, you feel stronger when refusing the temptation of (in my case) a lindt truffle.

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