An Australian nurse has proved the old-fashioned way to lose weight still works.
Samantha Abreu, 25, said she has always struggled with her weight — reaching over 115kg at her heaviest, wearing a size 22/24.
Growing up, the Melbourne nurse would often binge-eat, filling up on toast and cereal after meals, and she hated to exercise.
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“As a child, I did not like movement,” she explained.
“I’d cry if we went on a walk.
“Growing up, I always felt insecure.
“I couldn’t envision a future for myself.”
She said she would secretly order Uber Eats before her parents got home from work.
“I’d have urges to eat so much to the point of being uncomfortable,” Abreu said.
At this point, Abreu was exhausted and struggled to get through her 10-hour nursing shifts.
She worried she could end up like some of her elderly patients, who found it difficult to get out of bed.
But during the harsh COVID-19 lockdowns in Melbourne, she started walking as a way to improve her mental health.
She soon realised the exercise, albeit small to start, was a “blessing” for her mindset and body.
This led her taking charge of her health. She practised portion control and lost almost 50kg in a year.
Now 67kg, and a size 8, the 25-year-old walks 10,000 steps every day, visits the gym about four times a week, and runs about 5km a week.
She said she feels “comfortable and safe” in her body.
“As I lost weight, I still found myself reaching for XL scrubs, but they started to feel too baggy and would get in the way.
“Before being a nurse, I was an assistant, so it’s very physically demanding. It was very exhausting.
“It’s crazy, half of these things don’t tire me like they used to.”
Abreu said she didn’t feel any of the changes she made were dramatic, but developed healthy habits over time. She hasn’t made a massive change to her diet but in 2023 made an effort to cut down her portion sizes.
“I kept implementing healthy habits every day, she said.
“I now view food as fuel. I don’t have feelings with food.”
She said she will still give in to cravings but, for example, instead of pizza she will make a healthier pizza wrap.
Abreu is sharing her journey of natural weight loss, without a strict diet plan or personal trainer, on TikTok.
How Abreu’s eating habits have changed
Before: 115kg and size 22/24
Breakfast: Bowl of cereal/ toast
Lunch: Sandwich/ dinner leftovers
Dinner: Roast
Snacks: Cereal, toast, takeaways
Now: 67kg and size 8/10
Breakfast: Oats with fruit
Lunch: Greek chicken pasta
Dinner: Chicken wrap pizza
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If you or anyone you know has an eating disorder, or if you would like information, referrals or counselling for eating disorders, disordered eating or body image concerns, contact The Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 3673 or butterfly.org.au
