How I Lost 60 kg Naturally Without Medication – My Journey of Faith, Perseverance, and a New Life
Disclaimer: This article shares my personal weight-loss journey and what worked for me. Every person’s body and health are different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to losing weight. If you have any medical conditions or concerns, please speak to your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or exercise routine.
Table of Contents
- The Day Everything Changed
- The Woman I Used to Be
- Why I Decided to Lose Weight
- How I Chose My Eating Plan
- My First 10 kg in Three Months
- The Setback That Almost Defeated Me
- Starting Over After Regaining Weight
- How I Lost 60 kg Naturally
- My Daily Eating Routine
- Walking, Yoga and Exercise
- The Importance of Faith
- What I Learned
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Words of Encouragement
There are moments in life that change everything.
Sometimes they happen quietly. There is no fanfare, no dramatic music, no one cheering you on. It’s just one moment that divides your life into two chapters: before and after.
For me, that moment happened while watching a video that had been taken at a market in Hartenbos.
I wasn’t looking for inspiration. I wasn’t thinking about losing weight. I was simply watching the video, looking at the people walking past the camera. Then I noticed an older lady moving across the screen. She looked slow, out of breath, and unsteady on her feet. I remember feeling sorry for her. She looked as though every step was an effort.
Then I looked closer.
That woman wasn’t a stranger.
It was me.
I can still remember the shock. I honestly hadn’t realised how much my weight had affected the way I moved. Looking in a mirror every day, you don’t always notice the gradual changes. You adjust to them. You make excuses. You tell yourself you’re just tired or getting older.
But that video didn’t lie.
It showed me a woman who was struggling to walk. A woman who looked exhausted. A woman who was dangerously close to losing the freedom to enjoy life.
That was the moment I decided something had to change.
Not tomorrow.
Not on Monday.
Not after one last “cheat meal.”
Right then.
The Woman I Used to Be
At the time, I weighed 128 kilograms.
I was 54 years old.
My friend and I were running a stall at the markets in Hartenbos, something I enjoyed very much. But every market day became more difficult. Walking around all day left me exhausted. I moved slowly, and I was often out of breath.
The hardest part wasn’t just how I felt.
It was what I was missing.
I couldn’t play properly with my grandchildren.
As a grandmother, there is nothing quite like hearing little feet running towards you, wanting you to play, chase, laugh, or get down on the floor with them.
My heart wanted to.
My body couldn’t.
That hurt more than I can put into words.
I realised I wasn’t just carrying extra weight.
I was carrying a life that was becoming smaller.
No More Waiting
Most of us have said it.
“I’ll start on Monday.”
“I’ll start after the holidays.”
“I’ll start next month.”
I’ve said those words too.
But this time was different.
Watching that video made me realise that if I waited any longer, I might never start at all.
So I made a decision.
Not tomorrow.
Now.
I wanted to lose weight naturally.
I didn’t want medication or injections. I wasn’t looking for a quick fix. I wanted to change my lifestyle in a way that I could maintain for years to come.
So I started researching.
I read articles.
I watched videos.
I searched through countless comments from people who had successfully lost weight.
Eventually, I settled on an eating plan centred around boiled eggs, lean protein, vegetables, fruit, and cutting back on starches and sugar. What appealed to me was that it was simple, filling, and, thankfully, I didn’t have to give up my morning coffee!
The First Three Months
Those first few months required determination.
For the first four to five months, I followed my eating plan very strictly.
Breakfast became wonderfully simple: two boiled eggs and a cup of coffee. That breakfast kept me satisfied for hours and helped me avoid unnecessary snacking.
Lunch and dinner focused on protein, vegetables, and fruit. I stayed away from starches and sugar as much as possible and learned to go easy on dairy products.
One thing I didn’t do was tell myself I could never enjoy anything sweet again.
I’ve always loved dark chocolate, and even today, that’s my little treat when I’m craving something sweet.
The biggest surprise?
I wasn’t starving.
I wasn’t miserable.
I wasn’t counting every minute until my next meal.
Instead, I was building new habits.
Three months later, I stepped onto the scale.
I had lost my first 10 kilograms.
Even better, I had dropped two clothing sizes.
For the first time in a long time, I could walk into a clothing shop and find clothes that actually fitted comfortably.
Today, I wear a size 34 pair of jeans, something I never imagined would be possible when I weighed 128 kilograms.
Those first three months gave me something far more valuable than a smaller waistline.
They gave me hope.
Progress, Not Perfection
The weight continued to come off steadily.
Not overnight.
Not at an unhealthy pace.
Just consistently.
Looking back, I think that was one of the biggest reasons I succeeded.
I wasn’t chasing perfection.
I was building a healthier life one day at a time.
Every kilogram lost made walking easier.
My breathing improved.
My confidence grew.
Simple tasks that had once exhausted me became easier.
Then something wonderful happened.
Exercise stopped feeling like punishment.
I’ve always loved walking, and as I became lighter, walking became more enjoyable. I started walking more often because I actually wanted to, not because I felt I had to.
Later, I added yoga to my routine.
Yoga became one of the best decisions I made. It strengthened my body, improved my balance and flexibility, and gave me moments of peace during busy days.
When Life Knocked Me Down
If this story ended there, it would sound easy.
It wasn’t.
After about a year, I had lost around 40 kilograms.
Then life happened.
My relationship went through a very difficult period, and I found myself turning back to something that had comforted me for years.
Food.
I am an emotional eater.
When I feel stressed, hurt, or overwhelmed, my instinct is to eat.
The weight loss stopped.
Then the scale started moving in the wrong direction.
Within a few months, I had regained about 10 kilograms.
I was disappointed.
I was frustrated.
Mostly, I was angry with myself.
Looking back now, I realise that setbacks are part of many journeys. They don’t erase the progress you’ve made—but they do test your resolve.
Eventually, my partner and I separated.
It was not easy , but it also became a turning point.
In June of last year, I made another decision.
I was going to start again.
Not because I had failed.
Because I still believed I could succeed.
Starting Again
Sometimes the hardest step isn’t the first one.
It’s the second first step.
Starting over requires courage.
This time I already knew something important.
I knew I could do it.
I had done it before.
So I returned to the healthy habits that had served me well.
I focused on eating nourishing meals.
I kept walking.
I practiced yoga.
I prayed for strength.
One day became one week.
One week became one month.
Month after month, the weight came off again.
Over the past year, I lost another 30 kilograms.
Today, I weigh 68 kilograms.
I don’t chase a lower number.
Instead, I focus on maintaining my weight and staying healthy. I make sure I don’t go over 69 kilograms, and that approach keeps me accountable without becoming obsessed with the scale.
The Scale Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
One of the hardest lessons I learned is that the scale isn’t always encouraging.
There were weeks when I was certain I had lost weight.
I’d step onto the scale full of excitement.
Nothing.
The number hadn’t changed.
In the past, that would have been enough to make me quit.
This time, I kept going.
Sure enough, the following week, the scale would move again.
Those weeks taught me patience.
Our bodies don’t always reward our efforts immediately.
But that doesn’t mean progress isn’t happening.
Holidays Without Guilt
One question people often ask is, “Did you never eat anything naughty?”
Of course I did.
Life includes birthdays.
Christmas.
Family braais.
Celebrations.
I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life afraid of food.
When there was a special occasion, I enjoyed it sensibly.
Then I simply returned to my healthy routine afterwards.
No guilt.
No punishment.
Just balance.
That mindset has helped me maintain my weight far better than strict dieting ever could.
Faith Was My Greatest Strength
There were many days when my determination wasn’t enough.
Those were the days I prayed.
I asked God to give me strength when mine ran out.
I asked Him for discipline.
For courage.
For patience.
And for the wisdom to keep taking one more step.
My faith carried me through moments when I wanted to give up.
I truly believe I could not have completed this journey without God’s grace.
What I Learned
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that lasting change doesn’t happen overnight.
It happens through small decisions made consistently.
Be patient.
Take it 5 kilograms at a time.
Don’t compare your journey to someone else’s.
Slow progress is still progress.
Take care of your body by eating nourishing foods, staying active, and making sure you’re getting the vitamins and nutrients you need.
Most importantly, work on your mindset.
Weight loss begins long before the number on the scale changes.
It begins with the decision that your health is worth fighting for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight did you lose?
I lost a total of 60 kilograms, going from 128 kg to 68 kg.
Did you use weight-loss medication?
No.
I chose not to use medication or injections. I wanted to lose weight naturally through healthier eating, walking, yoga, and lifestyle changes.
How long did it take you to lose the first 10 kg?
I lost my first 10 kilograms in three months.
That steady progress encouraged me to keep going because I could already feel the difference in my energy and mobility.
What did you eat for breakfast?
Most mornings I ate two boiled eggs and a cup of coffee.
This simple breakfast kept me full for longer and helped me avoid unnecessary snacking.
What did you eat for lunch and dinner?
My meals were based mainly on:
- Lean protein
- Vegetables
- Fruit
- Very little starch
- Very little sugar
I also tried not to eat too much dairy.
Did you stop eating sweets completely?
No.
I believe balance is important.
If I wanted something sweet, I usually enjoyed a small piece of dark chocolate.
What exercise did you do?
Walking has always been something I enjoyed.
As I lost weight, walking became easier and more enjoyable.
Later I added yoga, which helped improve my strength, balance, flexibility, and overall wellbeing.
Did you ever hit a weight-loss plateau?
Yes.
There were weeks when I didn’t lose anything even though I had followed my eating plan.
Instead of giving up, I stayed consistent.
Usually the following week I saw progress again.
One lesson I learned is that the scale doesn’t always tell the whole story.
Did you ever regain weight?
Yes.
After losing around 40 kg, I experienced personal challenges and emotional stress.
As an emotional eater, I regained about 10 kg.
Although it was discouraging, I decided to start again rather than give up.
That decision changed everything.
How do you maintain your weight now?
I continue following the healthy habits I developed during my journey.
I walk regularly.
I practise yoga.
I make sensible food choices.
I enjoy treats in moderation.
I also keep an eye on my weight and try not to go above 69 kg.
What was the biggest lesson you learned?
Patience.
Healthy weight loss doesn’t happen overnight.
Small daily choices become big results over time.
I also learned that setbacks do not mean failure.
They simply mean it’s time to begin again.
What role did your faith play?
My faith was my greatest source of strength.
There were many days when I wanted to quit.
Prayer gave me courage, patience, and determination to continue one day at a time.
I truly believe God carried me through the difficult moments.
What advice would you give someone who wants to lose weight?
Don’t wait for Monday.
Don’t wait until next month.
Start today.
You don’t have to lose 60 kilograms all at once.
Focus on the next healthy meal.
The next walk.
The next good decision.
One day becomes one week.
One week becomes one month.
Before you know it, your whole life can change.
Key Takeaways
- I lost 60 kg naturally, without medication.
- My journey began after seeing myself in a video and realising how much my weight affected my life.
- I lost my first 10 kg in just three months.
- Walking and yoga became easier as I became healthier.
- I experienced setbacks and regained weight, but I chose to start again.
- My faith gave me strength when I wanted to give up.
- Healthy weight loss takes patience, consistency, and the right mindset.
To Anyone Who Feels Like Giving Up
If you’re reading this and you’ve been telling yourself you’ll start next Monday…
Please don’t wait.
The longer you delay, the harder it becomes.
You don’t have to be perfect.
You don’t have to lose 60 kilograms.
You only have to take the first step.
One healthy meal.
One short walk.
One better choice.
One prayer.
One day at a time.
When I was 54 years old and weighed 128 kilograms, I never imagined that a few years later I’d be wearing a size 34 pair of jeans, walking with confidence and enjoying life with my grandchildren in ways I once couldn’t.
If I can do it, perhaps you can too.
Not because we’re the same.
But because change is possible.
And sometimes, all it takes is one honest moment… like seeing yourself in a video and deciding that today—not tomorrow—is the day your new life begins.