Nurse mum of twins, 28, reveals how she’s shed a staggering 40 KILOS

A mother has revealed how she lost 40 kilos in 12 months after giving birth to her twin daughters – and shaved 10 years off her appearance in the process. 

Leah Fragomeni, a 28-year-old mum-of-three from Perth, tipped the scales at 112.5kg in December 2018 before it crept up to 127 kilos during her pregnancy with twins Isla and Mia, now two.  

The nurse had been overweight her entire life and would use food as a ‘reward’ – often eating entire blocks of chocolate, ice cream tubs or bags of chips without much thought. 

After: She shaved 10 years off her appearance in the process

Before and after: A mother has revealed how she lost 40 kilos in 12 months after giving birth to her twin daughters – and shaved 10 years off her appearance in the process

Leah Fragomeni, a 28-year-old mum-of-three from Perth, tipped the scales at 112.5kg in December 2018 before it crept up to 127 kilos (pictured) during her pregnancy with twins Isla and Mia, now two

Leah Fragomeni, a 28-year-old mum-of-three from Perth, tipped the scales at 112.5kg in December 2018 before it crept up to 127 kilos (pictured) during her pregnancy with twins Isla and Mia, now two

‘I never really participated in many sports and was bullied for my size in school and after having my children, I gained further weight to end up at my heaviest,’ she said. 

‘I often used food as a comfort or reward and I would buy a family block of a chocolate on shopping day and eat the entire thing. I’d often eat half a bag of potato chips or half a tub of ice cream without much thought.’  

Leah, who is also mum to Isaiah, four, said the difficult reality of having twins and a toddler to run around after while obese was the motivation for her to get into shape. 

‘The worst part was being overweight during my twin pregnancy. I experienced a lot of pain, discomfort and reduced mobility,’ she said, adding that she’d also avoid getting her photo taken out of embarrassment. 

Leah, who is also mum to Isaiah, four, said the difficult reality of having twins and a toddler to run around after while obese was the motivation for her to get into shape

The nurse had been overweight her entire life and would use food as a 'reward'

She would often eat entire blocks of chocolate, ice cream tubs or bags of chips without much thought

The nurse had been overweight her entire life and would use food as a ‘reward’ – often eating entire blocks of chocolate, ice cream tubs or bags of chips without much thought

What was Leah’s diet before? 

Breakfast: Two pieces of toast with melted cheese and tomato Mid-morning 

Snack: Coffee and biscuits 

Lunch: Takeaway, or two rounds of toasted sandwiches Afternoon snack: Potato chips, or crackers and cheese 

Dinner: Usually two servings of either a pasta dish or meat and chips 

Dessert: A bowl or two of ice cream

 

 

 

 

What is Leah’s diet after? 

Breakfast: One piece of toast with cottage cheese 

Mid-morning Snack: Greek yoghurt with fruit and nuts 

Lunch: Chicken or tuna and salad 

Afternoon snack: A coffee and some fruit or wholegrain crackers with cottage cheese 

Dinner: Whatever the family eats in a smaller portion, but usually meat with vegetables or salad, and a small serving of carbs such as pasta, rice or potatoes 

Dessert: A small dark chocolate with no added sugar, and a protein shake after the gym when I go      

 

‘My stamina was reduced while at my heaviest and it made running around after three kids very difficult. Having the twins was definitely the catalyst for me to lose weight. I knew I had to do it for my children and to be the best mum I could be.’ 

‘One of the worst things while being so overweight as a mum is that I avoided nearly all photos with my kids. We missed out on so many events and opportunities because I was so insecure about my body and was afraid that I would be judged.’ 

Once she had made the decision to make a change, Leah saw a doctor for a consultation on getting a gastric sleeve but was told she did not meet the criteria.

So, she had to do it on her own and started strictly tracking her calories and doing walks and bodyweight workouts on YouTube.

Once she had made the decision to make a change, Leah saw a doctor for a consultation on getting a gastric sleeve but was told she did not meet the criteria so did it on her own

Once she had made the decision to make a change, Leah saw a doctor for a consultation on getting a gastric sleeve but was told she did not meet the criteria so did it on her own

Now the mum looks unrecognisable after turning her life around to drop 40kg and four dress sizes in a year after starting her weight loss journey in March 2020

Now the mum looks unrecognisable after turning her life around to drop 40kg and four dress sizes in a year after starting her weight loss journey in March 2020

‘I had yo-yo dieted until March 2020 and then I discovered calorie counting,’ she said.

‘I’ve been eating around 1500 calories a day and haven’t excluded any foods from my diet. I still enjoy treats almost every day and I try to eat as many whole foods as possible and generally avoid ‘calorie-dense’ foods.’

‘When I first started my weight loss journey I went for walks when I could and did YouTube workouts while my children napped. I then went to the gym for the first time in my life. I worked with a personal trainer to develop a program of 4-5 strength training sessions a week paired with some cardio.’  

Now the mum looks unrecognisable after turning her life around to drop 40kg and four dress sizes in a year after starting her weight loss journey in March 2020. 

'I worked with a personal trainer to develop a program of 4-5 strength training sessions a week paired with some cardio,' she said

‘I worked with a personal trainer to develop a program of 4-5 strength training sessions a week paired with some cardio,’ she said

She feels happier and healthier than ever with her new 72.5kg, size 10 physique and she is always getting compliments about how much younger she looks now (pictured with Mia)

She feels happier and healthier than ever with her new 72.5kg, size 10 physique and she is always getting compliments about how much younger she looks now (pictured with Mia)

She feels happier and healthier than ever with her new 72.5kg, size 10 physique and she is always getting compliments about how much younger she looks now.    

‘Everyone says that I’m looking younger now than before. I think it has something to do with how I dress and carry myself now. I’m dressing younger and also taking better care of myself,’ she said, adding that she’s now studying nutrition. 

‘I feel like a totally new person. I’m able to run around with the kids and I enjoy exercise for the first time ever. I don’t feel embarrassed in public about my size and it’s so much easier to buy clothes. 

‘I’ve just started an Instagram page in hopes of inspiring others, especially busy mums. It is possible to turn your life around and it is okay to make yourself a priority. If I can lose weight and change my whole life, anyone can.’