Learn to LOVE YOURSELF!

Jenny Craig ambassador JELENA DOKIC shares how she overcame her weight and self-esteem battle

Struggling with our confidence and self-esteem is something we can all relate to as women. And former world number four tennis player, bestselling author and commentator Jelena Dokic admits she’s with us, too.

After retiring from professional tennis in 2014, Jelena’s battle with body confidence and weight began.

“I struggled once I retired going into normal life,” she says. “There was a lot of emotional eating for me, and that kind of spiralled over the next few years.”

FACING UP TO FEARS

Cue the beginning of her journey with Jenny Craig in January 2019.

“It’d been really difficult with my confidence, and the more weight I was gaining, it was really affecting me. I’ve lost a lot of self-esteem,” she told the Jenny Craig team last year.

“I’ve had a lot of times where I haven’t gone to certain events and... gatherings with friends because I feel uncomfortable in my own skin.”

MIND/BODY MAKEOVER

With a starting weight of 99kg and a goal weight of 66kg, Jelena embarked on the program to improve her physical, emotional and mental health.

And now here she is, a year later and more than 30kg lighter!

“It wasn’t easy saying OK, I’m going to go out publicly and say I’ve struggled with [my weight and confidence],” Jelena tells Woman’s Day. “There were pictures of me out there [at my heaviest] and I’ve posted some myself on social media saying, ‘This is my beginning [weight],’ so that wasn’t easy. But I thought I could be an inspirational voice to someone [in the same position].”

It’s not just about the weight loss for Jelena, either.

“It’s about educating yourself after you’ve reached your goal on how you continue to stay on track,” she explains. “At the end of the day, the number on the scale doesn’t really matter unless you’re feeling good from the inside out, mentally and emotionally. That’s what I have gained with Jenny Craig. It’s about balance and just feeling good.”

So what would Jelena tell women out there wanting to make a change for the better but aren’t sure where to start?

Well, first it’s OK to be scared or nervous!

“The first step is the hardest, and that was the same with me at the beginning,” she says.

“You’re a little bit afraid of the unknown. It’s more the mental and emotional side that’s difficult. But you can do it – you can get healthier, fitter, but also be more confident!”