Mum of 3 Jess tells us how depression caused her to gain weight and how she turned it around!

Jessica Lewis has opened up about the challenges she faced while she suffered with depression and how she overcame them.

Amazingly, the mum-of-three was able to turn it around and lost 16.1kg after signing up to the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge (and this was just the beginning!)

“Every day I ate about a block of chocolate between breakfast and dinner and then ate dinner,” she admits.

“I was feeding my emotions and exhaustion with sugar and not much else.”

After the birth of her third child, Jessica reveals she realised she was struggling to cope.

“My gorgeous son had colic from two weeks old until the day he turned four months old. He would scream between 17-20 hours of everyday and only sleep for short spurts where he had to be held upright for, which meant I would end up on the lounge attempting to sleep upright every single night,” she admits.

“I wasn’t coping. I was feeding my emotions and exhaustion and was beyond exhausted so searched for sugar as a saviour which naturally this helped me gain 5 kgs in those 3 months post having my son.

“Additionally, I wasn’t able to do much movement due to issues from giving birth, which I don’t think that was a help either to my physical or mental health.” 

Joining The Healthy Mummy helped Jessica beat her postnatal depression

After meeting her child health nurse, this gorgeous mum realised she was going down the path of postnatal depression and the next day joined The Healthy Mummy.

“I have never looked back. My first Challenge started June 28th and I have consistently followed the meal plans for the past four months,” she says.

“For the first time in my life, I have lost weight whilst breastfeeding. My first goals were to just remove chocolate reliance and eat well.

“Then to start walking. I increased my goals to walk 10,000 steps per day and drank two litres of water every day.”

Jess’s day on a plate!

Breakfast: Healthy Mummy smoothie

Morning tea: Pear

Lunch: Leftovers Healthy Mummy recipe from the night before (as I often cook extra), a toastie or sandwich

Afternoon tea: Healthy Mummy sack

Dinner: Healthy Mummy dinner recipe with loads of veggies, protein and carbs

Sticky Chicken and Fried Rice Tray Bake

“Healthy Mummy Smoothies are a part of my daily routine. I also use The Healthy Mummy peanut butter powder, which I add into my smoothie every day,” she says.

“My top favourite meal is the Country Chicken Pie, which I make into mini sausage rolls and freeze for snacks!

“Sticky Chicken and Fried Rice Tray Bake is also another favourite! I also love the Flourless Chocolate Cake, that’s the chocoholic in me coming out. I also freeze it and have it as I want.”

‘This was the first thing I had done for myself in a very long time’

Jessica knew she needed to do this, as it was important that she felt better in order to look after her family.

“This was the first thing I had done for myself in a very long time and I did it because I knew that I needed to take control and if my bucket was empty, I couldn’t support the rest of my family or give my son the care he needed at the time,” she says.

“I feel great, and whilst I am still on the journey to being the best version of me both physically and mentally, I feel in control now thanks to The Healthy Mummy.”

Three tips for success

1. Don’t give up!
2. Involve everyone!
3. Meal prep!

“Take a chance and just do it, but do it for you first and your family second and listen to your body along the way, as there will be days you need to just rest,” adds Jessica.

“The Healthy Mummy isn’t a fad diet, it’s a lifestyle change so make it work for you as there is no right or wrong way but if you don’t take a chance, you will never be where you want to be because nothing will change. 

“One thing I have always told myself is ‘you can’t change what you don’t change’.” 

Seeking help

If you feel depressed or are suffering from depression and or anxiety, we advise you to seek help from your GP or call Lifeline 13 11 14, Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia [PANDA] 1300 726 306 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36.

Read more:

• Can Exercise Help With Depression? Here’s What Science Says…
• Exercise during pregnancy may help reduce symptoms of postnatal depression
• 3 mums reveal how they overcame self-hatred and depression.