Jelena Dokic shows off incredible body transformation
Former tennis star Jelena Dokic has revealed her weight loss transformation after struggling with emotional eating and multiple health issues post-retirement.
The former world number four player previously revealed that her retirement from professional tennis in 2014 left her feeling “lost” and saw her weight balloon to 120kg at its heaviest.
On Monday, the 35-year-old took to Instagram to share her pictures from October 2018 to present day, showing her weight loss journey so far.
“The photo on the left and the start of my weight loss journey [in December] is a hard one to post and look at,” Jelena wrote.
“I was unhealthy and unfit but even more importantly I was so unhappy, with no confidence. I didn’t want to go out of the house and I even turned down work opportunities because I was so insecure and unhappy.”
Jelena said since starting her weight loss program in December at 99kg, she has lost almost 20kg. “While I don’t want to talk about the kilos too much, I have lost almost 20 kilos between the 2nd and 3rd picture alone,” she wrote.
“I hope I can inspire and motivate you all. No matter what you are trying to achieve, IT CAN BE DONE.”
With this, Jelena is on track to reach her goal of losing a total of 33kg within six months. "We have a goal of 66 kilograms, that's what I'm aiming for the next six months – it's very close to my playing weight," she told 9Honey.
In December, Jelena became an ambassador for weight loss and nutrition company Jenny Craig, joining the ranks of Rebel Wilson, Magda Szubanski and Barry Humphries.
After hanging up her racket in 2014, the 175cm-tall athlete faced struggles in adapting to her new lifestyle.
“I was thrown into retirement not knowing what direction I wanted to go in,” Jelena told the Sunday Herald Sun earlier this year.
“I wasn’t prepared – that’s where my weight gain started. When you’re a professional athlete, you’re in this bubble that’s not reality – everything is done for you … training, food, travel, management – so going back into real life was very different.”
She said the abuse at the hands of her father Damir Dokic, along with depression, thyroid problems and glandular fever, all contributed to her comfort eating.
Jelena said of her ongoing body transformation journey, “It’ll be probably tough at times, and some weeks are going to be better than others, but I’m really looking forward to the challenge and of course reach my goal weight and to be able to feel my best.”