How flight attendant, 32, lost 40 kilos naturally in just 15 months - without going to the gym: 'I failed so many times but I just kept going'

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A former flight attendant whose weight spiralled after 'relying almost exclusively' on takeaway meals has shed 40kg naturally in just 15 months - without going to the gym.

Georgie Willard, from NSW, had led an active lifestyle, working on her feet for hours on end, walking an average of 20,000 steps every shift on board a plane. 

But when the world plunged into lockdown, the 32-year-old was suddenly unemployed due to the COVID pandemic so she turned to food for comfort.

'I was struggling to find a new job. To deal with it all, I turned to cooking. It was never necessarily "naughty" junk food, but there was definitely an increase in comfort eating,' Georgie, now 32, told FEMAIL. 

'When I finally found a new job, I was working in an office and I found it mentally draining and the last thing I wanted to do in the morning or after work was get out and go for a walk. I was lucky if I hit 3,000 steps a day. 

'I wasn't happy with that job and again, I turned to food to calm my emotions.'

As her schedule started to get hectic, she lived off takeout after finding herself feeling 'too busy' to set aside any time each week to cook and prep healthy meals - eventually leading to wearing size 16 clothing.

Determined to get on top of her weight, Georgie slimmed down to a size 6-8 after losing 39.1kg by overhauling her diet.

Georgie Willard, from NSW, has revealed how she shed 40 kilos naturally in just 15 months

Over the years, she developed a bad eating habit with food.  

'Due to my busy lifestyle, I had let cooking and meal prep fall to the wayside,' Georgie explained.

'My poor food choices were probably somewhat offset due to being an international flight attendant, doing an average of 20,000 steps a shift. When I was on layover; I was physically active, getting out and about.

'Then the pandemic hit. Myself and my entire company lost our jobs.'

After her weight escalated during strict lockdowns, Georgie knew she needed to overcome her bad eating habits to get healthy.

'There comes a day when suddenly, you're mentally prepared to start the weight loss journey,' she explained, adding that she began to notice her clothes getting tighter - a clear sign it was time to make a change to her lifestyle.

'I remember I had come home from Easter with my partner's family and looking through the photos from earlier that day and suddenly it just hit me, I was ready to lose the weight.'

She discovered CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet through a colleague who had successfully reached her weight loss goal.

Georgie had led an active lifestyle, working on her feet as a flight attendant, walking an average of 20,000 steps every shift on board a plane

'I had never invested much time into other diets or programs. Part of my mentality was, "I don't need to pay all this money, just for it not to work",' Georgie said. 

'However, I signed up to CSIRO that night because I was nervous that if I didn't, I would chicken out the next day. I haven't looked back.'

The scientifically formulated weight loss program focuses on a high protein, low GI meal plan developed by scientists at Australia's national science agency.

To motivate Aussies to lose weight, the program offers an incentive: a refund on their membership fee once they reach their target.

'I knew it was backed by science and was really attracted to the fact that if I followed the program, I'd not only lose weight but I could get my money back too,' she said. 

'For someone who had just become a homeowner, trying to balance finances, it felt like a win-win. It really drove me to stick to the program, learn about nutrition and lose the weight.'

Afraid she would lapse into her old habits, Georgie said she stuck to the program 99.9 per cent of the time.

Eventually, the importance of positivity became 'glaringly apparent' in the workplace. 

'I left a retail workplace following a comment from someone who said they, "didn't know we made that in your size",' she said. 

'I walked away from that job and walked straight into my current role where I found a team that uplifts and supports me. It's the positivity from everyone in my life that has really helped me through this journey.'

Determined to get on top of her weight, Georgie slimmed down to a size 6-8 after losing 39.1kg after she overhauled her diet

In just 15 months, she lost 39.1 kilos. 

The biggest shift was setting aside time every week to set herself up for healthy eating. 

'Each week, I sit down and plan out what I'm going to eat that week,' she said. 

'I write a shopping list and that has made a huge difference as I'm not having to walk out of the supermarket with unnecessary extras. 

'I weigh out my protein servings into zip lock bags to have with my lunch salads. I make a massive salad for the fridge that I can then just portion out. 

'Each night, I'm prepping my breakfast and lunch for the next day. It's all about making it effortless to eat how I want to eat.'

Georgia catches the train into the city four days a week for work. It's about a 2km walk to and from the office so she enjoys using that time to grab a skim cappuccino, topped with extra chocolate.

When she arrives at the office, she would eat vanilla yoghurt with mixed berries and muesli.

'I've had this every single day since starting the program,' she said. 

'I think having a little bit of sweetness to start my day helps me to stay on track.'

After her weight escalated during strict lockdowns, Georgie knew she needed to overcome her bad eating habits to get healthy

At lunchtime, she usually prepares a big salad with a form of protein. 

For dinner, her go-to meals include hoisin beef skewers with salad, Bolognese with ether zoodles (zucchini noodles) or pulse pasta (made from peas, lentils, chickpeas and borlotti beans) or teriyaki pork lettuce cups.

'These are such a great alternative to Chinese takeaway when I need something that feels extra indulgent,' she said.

Even with a healthy diet, she doesn't shy away from the occasional guilty pleasures. 

'Whether that's on evenings out with friends, leisurely coastal walks with a decadent smoothie in hand, or a casual stroll to the local coffee shop for a fresh cup of coffee and a damn-good cookie dough croissant - it's all about balance,' she said.

Amazingly, Georgie said she never had a 'rigorous' exercise routine, but she always made sure to hit her 10,000 step count each day.

'For me, I feel that hitting my weight loss goals is all about diet,' she said. 

Georgie with her now fiancé

She's been able to maintain her 40kg weight loss for nine months now. 

'The easiest way to sum it up is that I just feel good about myself for the first time in my life,' Georgie said. 

The personal assistant said she now has the confidence to shop at her favourite fashion stores, go on coastal walks or enjoy an acai bowl down at the beach. 

'I remember one of my first dates with my fiancé before I started my weight loss journey, we did the Clovelly to Bondi coastal walk and I remember not wanting him to see me basically "dying" going up and down these stairs,' she recalled.

'Now, every time we do this walk together, I’m basically 10 steps ahead of him. I can.t help but chuckle thinking about it.'

She has noticed that her circadian rhythm and sleeping patterns have improved since slimming down.

'I have created a healthy pattern where I'm in bed at a reasonable hour and wake up naturally without needing to set an alarm,' she said.

Georgie said she feels healthier and happier about herself for the first time in her life

For those struggling to lose weight, Georgie said: 'The first step is admitting that you need to make a change. 

'Don't be afraid to explore new approaches to weight loss until you find what works best for you. For me, choosing a program that was backed by science made me trust the process. Once you commit, know that you are worth the effort.'

She urged everyone not to give up, even if they were going through a bad day or week.

'I failed so many times but I just kept getting back up and realising this is a lifetime journey. It's a marathon, not a sprint,' Georgie said.

'Just keep moving forward even if you don't see a change at first. It took me six weeks to see a change and I've never looked back. As long as you're staying consistent, you will achieve your goal.

'Find foods that you love... Looking back, I wish I'd known that I can lose weight by eating way more than I thought I could. 

'Incorporate quick and easy exercise routines into your daily routine, such as walking or short bursts of high-intensity interval training. Remember, every little bit counts towards your overall health and well-being.'