<body><div> Anna Lijphart has always considered herself fairly 'fit and healthy'. But that changed drastically during the pandemic when the added stress saw her drinking alcohol and binge eating more than ever. 'I was filled with self-loathing every day,' the 58-year-old told Daily Mail Australia. 'I've always prided myself on my fitness but during Covid my drinking spiralled out of control and so did my weight.' As her weight escalated, Anna was making poor choices every time she had <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/alcohol/index.html" rel="nofollow"> alcohol </a> - and couldn't seem to stop. 'After a glass of wine, I thought having a bag of chips seemed like a fabulous idea,' she said. The travel guide, who's an avid hiker and mountain climber, said she began indulging in snacks, including ice cream and lollies, and plenty of bread. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Then she reached a point where she was drinking more alcohol than she was water, leaving her deeply dehydrated and miserable. 'I wasn't conscious about drinking water throughout the day,' she explained. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1xfOfJ_0wEUjzM300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1xfOfJ_0wEUjzM300" width="306" height="438" ><figcaption>Anna Lijphart has always been 'fit and healthy' </figcaption></figure> She was also gradually gaining weight as a result of <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/menopause/index.html" rel="nofollow"> menopause </a> , which slowed her metabolism, coupled with overeating and overdrinking during Covid. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Her weight peaked at 83kg (184 lbs) and she was wearing a size 14. She knew she needed to overcome her bad drinking habits when she started struggling on one of her hikes. 'One day, I went for a hike and really felt slowed down by my hangover,' she recalled. Anna had previously quit drinking twice so she thought she could do it again. However, she felt 'discouraged' because she feared she would go back to drinking. 'I thought, "Sure I know I can quit on my own, but I don't feel I can make it last",' she said. As she hopped into her car after the hike, she began looking up podcasts about quitting alcohol. She stumbled across a podcast by James Swanwick, the Australian-American founder of Alcohol Free Lifestyle, a science-based program to help individuals change their relationship with alcohol. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> 'It really spoke to me,' she said. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4IFIeU_0wEUjzM300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4IFIeU_0wEUjzM300" width="306" height="591" ><figcaption>As her weight escalated, Anna was making poor choices every time she had alcohol </figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1AaHGW_0wEUjzM300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1AaHGW_0wEUjzM300" width="306" height="591" ><figcaption>As her weight escalated, Anna was making poor choices every time she had alcohol </figcaption></figure><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><h3 class="mol-factbox-title"> Anna's healthy day on s plate </h3> BREAKFAST: Oat milk latte and two eggs LUNCH: Turkey sandwich with tomato, lettuce and avocado DINNER: Fish or chicken with veggies DESSERT: A cookie or piece of chocolate DRINK: Still and sparkling water throughout the day 'I spoke to a coach the next day and immediately signed up. It has changed my life in so many immeasurable ways for the better.' She made the decision to adopt a healthier diet and eliminate alcohol entirely - not just for a few weeks. 'I finally decided to go on a strict reduced-calorie high-protein diet. I stuck to the diet and lost the weight in about three months,' she said. Anna lost 13.5kg within 12 weeks of not drinking. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> 'I've created new routines and don't even crave alcohol any more. I've learned to socialise alcohol-free in a boozy culture,' she said. 'I've learned to address my emotions instead of numbing them out. I've learned to set boundaries and enforce them. 'Going alcohol-free gave me focus, clarity, greater productivity and pride that I’m prioritising health and wellness.' Anna now <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-8433093/Love-Islands-Anna-Vakili-says-weighed-nearly-13-stone-heaviest.html" rel="nofollow"> weighs 70kg (155 lbs) after going from a size 12-14 to a size 8-10. </a> 'I lost the weight I wanted to and feel like myself again,' she said. 'Getting back to a healthy weight removed the self-loathing that had become a part of every day. Now, there is no longer a disconnect between my identity as a healthy and strong person and what I look like on the outside.' <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3ck1T4_0wEUjzM300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3ck1T4_0wEUjzM300" width="306" height="505" ></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4bJlTb_0wEUjzM300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4bJlTb_0wEUjzM300" width="306" height="505" ><figcaption>Anna now weighs 70kg and now wears sizes 8-10 </figcaption></figure> Despite eating healthily, she never deprives herself of her favourite snacks. 'It's hard to be wholesome all the time. I'll treat myself to ice cream, cake or cookies every now and then,' she said. Her favourite exercises include hiking and cycling, which she does regularly to stay in shape. 'On days that I don't hike, I cycle for 30 minutes on my Peloton and do some free weights and core workout,' she said. 'I try to walk or bike anywhere I can (e.g. to the grocery store).' Reflecting back at old pictures of herself, Anna said she feels happier and healthier than ever. 'I'm very, very happy. The weight loss was huge for my self-esteem and self-confidence,' she said. 'Every day, I'm grateful for the freedom, clarity and intentionality gained by leaving alcohol in my rear view mirror. I look and feel better.' <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2CC8pp_0wEUjzM300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2CC8pp_0wEUjzM300" width="306" height="586" ><figcaption>Reflecting back at old pictures of herself, Anna said she feels happier and healthier than ever </figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0IDvKi_0wEUjzM300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0IDvKi_0wEUjzM300" width="306" height="586" ><figcaption>Reflecting back at old pictures of herself, Anna said she feels happier and healthier than ever </figcaption></figure> Anna praises the coaches in the program for educating her about the 'neuroscience behind the effects of alcohol on the body'. 'Surprise, it's a toxic poison,' she said. She was so inspired by what she learned about the harm alcohol does to society that she teamed up with four women from Alcohol Free Lifestyle to launch AWAKE, a non-profit organisation that&nbsp;promotes awareness around alcohol. If you are trying to lose weight, Anna suggests the first step is to eliminate alcohol. 'Quitting alcohol feels like a necessity,' she said. 'Besides the empty calories, it's hard to remain disciplined with alcohol in the mix. And alcohol isn't just empty calories, it's a class 1 carcinogen and a neurotoxin that affects your cognitive abilities.' According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive substance that can lead to dependence. It has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, placing it in the highest risk category alongside asbestos, radiation and tobacco. 'It's pretty hard to lose weight when your body is busy defending itself against the effects of alcohol,' Anna added. </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

Anna Lijphart has always considered herself 'fit and healthy' - but her lifestyle took a turn during the global pandemic, leading her to eat and drink more frequently than ever before.