Who's that girl? Julie loses 42kg in 18 months | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

There's something missing in Julie Hill's life - 42kg and low self esteem. CHERIE TAYLOR reports.

A massive 42kg isn't all Julie Hill has lost in her quest to lead a healthier life.

She also lost a partner of six years during the 18 months it took to go from 112kg to 70kg.

Battling with her self image for years, the Rotorua Work and Income employee spent $12,000 on surgery to have a lapband tied around her stomach 18 months ago.

Her life has changed drastically.

Boosted energy levels have seen her taking up walking for up to two hours a day and earlier this year she took part in the Xterra Challenge at Tikitapu (Blue Lake).

Her new-found energy also saw her relationship with her partner of six years end.

"He was a fabulous person but I have all this motivation, and goals now. We just seemed to move apart," she said.

Now in a new relationship, Ms Hill has "sexy" new clothes she would never have dreamt of buying before shedding the weight.

She also has a new car she bought for herself as a gift for reaching her goal weight.

"I've always wanted a sexy little four wheel drive but wouldn't have been seen dead in one. I just love it. This is the new me. Shopping for clothes is an absolute delight."She's even flown to Sydney for a shopping spree. Another new experience.

"I've wanted to do this for years but didn't want to go in a plane at my previous size because I didn't want to ask for a seatbelt extender."

Ms Hill's social life has also improved since the surgery which helps patients lose weight by reducing the amount of food they can eat. A band is tied around a patient's stomach, dividing it into two parts. By slowing down the passage of food, patients feel full for longer and eat less often.

"Before I sat at home watching TV. Lotto was the highlight of the week. Now I'm out two or three times a week.

There are still challenges - the surgery means there are a lot of foods she can no longer digest so going out for meals can be difficult.

"It's been a learning curve. I tend to have a lot of soup when I'm out."

And there's still a major hurdle to get over - convincing herself she is a new person.

"I'm still waiting for my head to catch up with the rest of me. I still look in a mirror and wonder who the person is looking back at me. I can't believe it is me," she said.

Recently, Ms Hill was invited to take a one-year position as regional planner for Work and Income at the department's national office in Wellington. She now spends weekdays living in an apartment in the capital city.

It's a position she doesn't believe she would have been head-hunted for had she still been overweight.

"I don't think I would have been offered the opportunity, or even considered the challenge, 12 months ago. I just wasn't confident enough."