An obese mum who was fat shamed during a Bali holiday has dropped half her body weight so she can travel the world.
Belinda Brodie, 31, felt she was ‘too fat to travel’ after being fat shamed while holidaying in Bali and Thailand.
The mum-of-one, who lives in Perth, claims she was ‘ashamed and embarrassed’ after both locals and tourists alike ‘made fun’ of her 130kg, size 26 frame – with store vendors in Bali claiming she was ‘too fat’ for any of their clothes while laughing behind her back.
But New Zealand native Belinda decided enough was enough and lost 56kg so she could travel the world stress-free.
Belinda has since had the time of her life flaunting her brand new 74kg svelte size 12 body all over the world – including luxury holidays around Australia, New Zealand, France, Norway and Spain.
The brave mum even went back to Bali during her weight loss journey in 2014 with her husband Travis, 30, and son Oliver, six, and was elated when the locals recognised and even congratulated her on slimming down.
Belinda said: ‘Traveling when you’re 130kg is not easy and I hated every minute of it. I was so anxious getting on planes because it’s such a small space for a big person
‘When I visited Thailand and Bali I could feel both locals and other tourists gawking at me and some would even laugh at me behind my back. It was heartbreaking.
‘It’s so hot in Asia so I’d be wearing less clothing than usual and couldn’t cover up like I normally would, so I felt extra vulnerable.
‘When I was in Bali, I was looking at some clothes on the roadside stalls and the shop owner came out and told me I was too fat to buy anything, and that they had nothing big enough to fit me.
‘I heard them laughing after I’d walk away, and it really hurt.
‘This happened a lot, and it totally gutted me. I love the Balinese people and I don’t think they meant to be so mean about it. It’s just a cultural thing, they’re very direct and have no filter.
‘Similar things happened in Thailand, too. Other tourists would move out of the way to let me pass with a big smirk on their face. It’s so humid and I’d be sweating all the time.
‘While I still mostly enjoyed myself, I feel like my size just ruined things for me and spoilt my holidays.
‘But after losing the weight, I’ve never had any issues travelling and have had some incredible experiences.
‘I’ve traveled everywhere now, and have been snowboarding, hiking, horse riding and bow and arrow shooting. I never could have done any of that before as I was so unfit.’
In September 2013, Belinda totally overhauled her carb-heavy diet of bread, pastries and pasta with a clean-eating regime that focuses on healthy proteins and fresh fruit and vegetables.
She also began exercising daily by going for jogs every morning and working out at the gym with the help of a personal trainer and fitness classes.
Now Belinda is fitter than she ever has been, relying on Brazilian jiu-jitsu and powerlifting six times a week to keep her toned.
She said: ‘I tried all the different diets, I’d lose a little weight, but then pile it all back on soon after stopping.
‘I wasn’t happy with myself and was 100kg after giving birth to my son. All of a sudden, you’re in the mum role and it’s so easy to stop taking care of yourself because you just give everything to your baby.
‘I was so happy to have this gorgeous little boy in my life, but I felt like I was losing myself a little bit. The post-natal depression just creeped up on me
‘I think a lot of new parents can relate to this. I’m just lucky I got myself out of that spiral before things got too bad.
‘I finally decided to make a real change to my health after I visited the zoo with my son. I couldn’t keep up with him.
‘The next day I threw out all the bad things from my cupboard and started again. I began jogging each morning, and eventually joined a gym and went to fitness classes.
‘I managed to lose 30kg in the first year. I felt incredible, and the weight just kept coming off.
‘It was all just clean eating, exercise and determination. That’s it.
‘It was the best decision I ever mad. I have so much energy, and I’m so motivated.
‘I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I will never look back.
‘I can’t to do some more traveling. I’d love to go to the U.S and South America, as well as exploring more of Europe.
‘The whole world has opened up to me now. I’m so excited.’
BEFORE DIET
Breakfast: Four pieces of toast, pancakes or waffles (500 calories) Mid-morning snack: Bakery items such as croissants cakes or biscuits (400 calories)
Lunch: Fast food such as McDonald’s/KFC or a pie/sausage roll (800 calories) Afternoon tea: Noodles (400 calories)
Dinner: Usually pasta or fast food (1000 calories)
Dessert: Ice cream or donuts (400 calories)
TOTAL: 3,500 calories
AFTER DIET
Breakfast: Oats or muesli with a coffee (250 calories) Mid-morning snack: Fruit and rice crackers (150 calories)
Lunch: Protein-packed salad (400 calories) Afternoon tea: Piece of fruit and coffee (100 calories)
Dinner: Meat such as chicken, lamb or steak with vegetables (500 calories)
Dessert: Occasionally low-calorie ice-cream or fruit (100 calories)
TOTAL: 1,500 calories
