Madelene sized up family history – and hit the track

The 20-year-old signed up for the George Rose Knockout Challenge with her two aunties and her sister Zoe.

With a family history of chronic illness, including heart disease and diabetes, the ladies were hoping to make a change for good.

“We wanted to lose weight, so it didn’t affect us later in life,” Ms Nye said.

“We did it to support each other and to feel good about ourselves, lose some weight and, hopefully, keep losing weight down the track.”

Ms Nye lost 8kg during the 12-week challenge, and gained a lot more than loose clothing.

“I feel so much more energetic and I want to keep it up,” she said.

“I’ve got a little brother and a little sister; it’s so much easier to keep up with them.

“Now I can keep running, keep kicking the ball; it’s so much better.”

Ms Nye said the program was tough, but the more time that passed, the more she enjoyed the physical challenge.

“I love it,” she said.

“I don’t want to stop and (trainer) Brendan (Ellis) has offered training, even though it’s finished, and I’m so stoked. 

“I pulled muscles in my back and I could have cried because I didn’t want to stop doing it.”

Ms Nye said it was important to keep up the healthy lifestyle.

“Being overweight or obese plays a huge part because it can bring on diabetes, heart disease, kidney (problems), and I’ve got all that in my family history,” she said.

“Losing the weight is such an important bit, because that lowers my chances of getting it.”

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