Jan Taylor was New Zealand’s slimmer of the year; she lost over 60 kg in just under a year and now she is attempting the Christchurch half marathon.
Jan says she never would have imagined running a marathon three years ago.
“It's quite a thrill to be here at this point because three years ago I would have never thought of doing it,” she says.
She says she was nervous about attempting the run but her main goal was to complete the race.
Two years ago Jan Taylor weighed 132 kg, so she joined Weight Watches and saw the weight literally fall off her in just 12 months.
She says her weight reduction has renewed her love of shopping.
“I was too scared to go shopping as a size 30, but now as a size 10 I can buy off the rack with confidence and I really enjoy shopping now,” she says.
Jan's amazing weight loss saw her nominated as slimmer of the year, as well as win a car, two trips to Australia and she got to attend the Breast Cancer Breakfast at government house.
“The whole point of going into the slimmer of the year was to tell my story to other people, because I have just gained so much out of losing weight,” she says.
“I have got my life back basically and I want to encourage other people to do the same.”
Today Jan weighs a happy 69 kg, maintaining her weight loss of a year ago.
“I wish I had done it earlier myself, I feel l have lost so much of my life with my family,” she says.
“Now we are going out as a family and doing things on weekends and I’m being part of my family’s life, which is really important.”
Jan happily completed the Christchurch half marathon in 2 hours and 43 minutes.
“It was hard going half way round but I am rapt I have finished, it is a big thrill and a big milestone in my journey,” she says.
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