Getting a kickstart to weight loss

IN the last couple of weeks, there’s been a growing number of Dubbo region residents finding a hope that’s been missing in their lives for a long, long time. Annette Webber is one of them.

Following a chance encounter on the street, Mrs Webber has stepped onto solid ground from which to tackle a weight problem which she says has left her utterly depressed.

“I was very sick just over two years ago. I couldn’t even shower myself. I was obese. Badly diabetic, I couldn’t breathe. My life was hell,” she admitted to

“My son said I had to stop and do a diet with him because if I didn’t, they were going to bury me.

“I did it. I lost 32 kilos with his support. I was so blessed,” Mrs Webber said.

Surgery in Thailand to remove excess skin ended, however, with infection and further illness. Seven more operations later, Mrs Webber became depressed and turned to food as solace.

“I put weight back on and I’m a lot bigger than I want to be.”

Then last week sitting in a car on Talbragar Street she was complaining to her sister how she wanted to lose the weight, but didn’t have the “oomph”.

“Then when I got out of the car, all of a sudden, here they are. My prayers were answered. I’ve been on such a high knowing these ladies are going to help me,” Mrs Webber said.

‘These ladies’ are founders of the Superfastdiet, Victoria Black and Gen Davidson, who are running the Downsizing Dubbo community initiative, a free eight-week program.

Open to residents of Dubbo, Wellington and Narromine, the program is not a quick fix but a comprehensive kickstart to weight loss supported by diet advice and exercise, all free and with ongoing support.

Trangie local David Dugan has also signed on.

“I’m fairly ambitious to lose weight. I’m 110kg now and I’d love to lose 8kg in the eight weeks, I’d be over the moon with that. My optimum weight would be about 85kg. I’ve tried everything but not for a while.

“I love drinking alcohol. It’s a favourite thing, but I’ve given up drinking.

“I’m off the grog and I’ve lost Dubbo local Annette Webber (second from right) has decided to lose weight, with help from sister Cheryl Webber (left), and Downsizing Dubbo’s Gen Davidson and Victoria Black. a bit of weight just from that, so now I’m in a good position to lose a bit more weight, and this will be a vessel to help me do that,” he said.

zDownsizing Dubbo’s

eightweek community initiative launches at the Macquarie Inn on Thursday night, August 29, at 6pm, and begins on Sunday, September 1.