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Natalie Joyce’s incredible weight loss transformation

Natalie Joyce’s incredible weight loss transformation

Natalie Joyce is living her best life, and it’s evident by the glow on her face.

She fought through the hardest two years of her life, and now, Barnaby Joyce’s ex-wife has shown just how much better off she is through a complete transformation.

In less than 12 months, Natalie has shed 15kg, and she credits it to a healthy diet and rigorous fitness program.

The 49-year-old has always dreamt of becoming a bodybuilder, and now, she’ll be competing in her first competition.

“I quite literally had an epiphany – I decided this was not going to break me but be the making of me. At the time, as the collapse of our marriage played out so publicly, I won’t lie – I was not in a good place,” she told Woman’s Day.

“I knew I had to keep it together for the girls, and I had two choices: Either unravel, or shake myself off and aim to get the best out of myself, so I could be the best for them.”

Her turning point came after her 24-year-marriage to Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce broke down. The politician left his wife and his entire family for his mistress and former staff member, Vikki Campion.

“I turn 50 this year and have a second chance for a glorious life with new beginnings,” Natalie exclaimed.

“In June last year I looked in the mirror and thought I’m not going to let someone else’s appalling behaviour derail me, so I joined the local gym, and I’ve never looked back. And I’ve always wanted to compete in a bodybuilding comp. Some people might think I’m crazy!”

Despite losing 15kg, Natalie made sure to not take part in crash dieting, but rather, a well-rounded lifestyle program that improved her fitness and strength.

“I’m only 160cm and I tipped the scales at 70kg – and today I’m just shy of 55kg. I had thickened out, [which was] likely related to being pre-menopausal – I just looked squishy! I cut out sugar, bad fats and unfriendly carbs, and replaced them with healthy choices,” she explained.

And when it comes to Barnaby? The mother-of-four has put it all behind her, saying “he’s a man I no longer know”.

But she wouldn’t have made it through the darkness if it wasn’t for her daughters – Bridgette, 22, Julia, 20, Caroline, 19, and Odette, 16 – that she shares with Barnaby.

“They thought I’d gone mad when I told them I would be strutting my stuff wearing nothing more than a skimpy bikini, flexing my muscles for all to see!” said Natalie.

“But they’re very proud of me – watching as I rediscovered my confidence and enjoying how empowered I’ve become – and I do like my girls thinking their mum has a smoking hot body!”

Scroll through the gallery above to see Natalie's incredible transformation.

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