Sass Mahuika, Gisborne Grandmother, Sets Example by Losing 120 Kg

Sass Mahuika, a grandmother from Gisborne, New Zealand, has set an example to thousands of 57-year-olds by losing 120 Kg's and starting to walk, even though the doctors had told her that she would never walk again.

Sass Mahuika, a Gisborne grandmother has inspired the world by losing 120 Kg's. (Mahuika weigh about 224 Kg's, and was seated in a wheelchair, when she first started her diet for weight loss). Mahuika, who survived on fast food and takeaways, which were extremely high in calories, did very little exercise. She was extremely obese, and depressed. "It took me to a very dark place, very dark place. It was a negative space. I had that feeling where I wasn't going to live long. It got to that point where I was tired of being tired, tired of living with the pain and eventually tired of living," says Mahuika.

Mahuika could only fit into an 8 XL top, and had to be hosed down by her family every day since she could not fit herself in the bath or shower. Reflecting on her amazing journey of weight loss and self discovery, Sass Mahuika said, "Sometimes I think about it and I think, 'Gosh I am so lucky to be here now.' If I was the size I was at that time I would be dead."

The 'turning point' in Mahuika's life was when her daughter announced that she was pregnant. "When I found out I was going to be a grandmother that turned my whole thinking around from a negative to a positive. That was ray of hope," says the cheerful Mahuika. After signing up at the local YMCA gym, Mahuika gave up on fast food, replacing it with veggies and low-fat smoothies.

57-year-old Sass Mahuika, who was in a wheelchair for nine long years, was told that she could never walk, following a car accident. However, she began walking after a bad fall, which took place this year. A recent hip surgery and weight loss helped her stand on her feet once again. "I felt this little tingle in the back. I thought, 'Oh my God, what was that?' Then I just got a feeling in my feet and everything," says the proud grandma!

Sass Mahuika now spends her time sharing her inspirational story and teaching gym classes. Journey does not end here for Sass Mahuika, who plans to use one of five of her degrees. "Oh my God, I feel so great. I feel free. I feel alive. I feel like I've been born again," signed off the exuberant Gisborne grandma!