Successful slimming

Since losing 240 kilograms between them, four slimmers are now half the people they used to be and they did it without going on a diet.

Lois Tipple, Justin Larkin, Becky Palmer, and Maria Miller admit they watch what they eat but stress their dramatic weight loss is all due to regular exercise.

"At 60 years of age I felt like I was not going to see 70," Ms Tipple said. "I was resigned to that fact."

At 140kgs, if Ms Tipple spent more than two hours on her feet she could not walk the next day.

Her transformation began with a five minute stretch around the garden.

"Now I do six kilometres every morning before breakfast and I do the exercise bike three time a week, about 10 to 15kms," Ms Tipple said. "I do weights and Tai Chi."

Within reason Ms Tipple said she eats what she likes, grazing through five small meals a day.

"I still have a treat if I go out and if there is a cake, I'll still have a piece of cake," Ms Tipple said.

Ms Tipple lost just over 40 kilograms.

At 23 years of age Justin Larkin admits his 136kg frame was uncomfortable to live in until his GP recommended a dietician and an exercise program.

"Like taking the dog for a walk for 20 minutes and then work my way up," Mr Larkin said.

"After the weight started coming off it felt better and I could take the dog for a walk for an hour and not feel puffed afterwards."

Becky Palmer was a size 28 and suffered from high blood pressure, high blood sugar and chest pains.

She said she was too embarrassed to leave home so she started walking late at night.

"Even after a month my mother said 'your butt is getting smaller'," Ms Palmer said.

"I stopped eating potato chips and take away foods," Ms Palmer said. "I learned how to cook healthy meals."

Power-walking, home exercise and sensible eating helped Maria Miller farewell 52kg in 12 months. Like Ms Palmer, she started walking in the dark.

"I would only ever walk at 5.30am or at 9pm at night," Ms Miller said.

Slimming Magazine has rewarded the Fab 4's vanishing act by declaring each a finalist for its 'Slimmer of the Year'.

Editor Mary Kiley said that once you make up your mind you body follows.

"It's when they go 'forget about the diets, forget about the deprivation and the starvation what I'm going to do is eat sensibly and exercise', it all fell into place," Ms Kiley said.

Click here to view before and after photos of the Fab 4 plus their tips for weight loss.

Slimming Magazine will release details for the 2005 Slimmer of the Year award in their March issue, in stores on February 27. Entries must be received by June.