An Australian mother-of-two, Danielle, has revealed how she lost 22 kilograms and maintained her weight loss without giving up carbs or chocolate. Determined to take a different approach after giving birth to her second child, she focused on tracking her macros rather than following restrictive diets or punishing workout routines. Danielle credits “flexible dieting” for her success, following a ratio of 80 percent wholefoods and 20 percent of whatever she wants within reason, which allowed her to enjoy her favorite treats while steadily losing weight. Her journey demonstrates that weight loss doesn’t have to mean deprivation.
Danielle discovered the science-backed program equ, which offers customized weekly meal plans tailored to each participant’s lifestyle and macro goals. She began the program about two-and-a-half months postpartum, finding it easier to manage alongside the demands of raising young children. The structure helped her maintain a balanced diet, lose weight sustainably, and improve her body composition while still enjoying chocolate every night. Danielle emphasizes that the program’s approach focuses on sustainable habits, not temporary fixes or unrealistic restrictions.
The program’s success extends beyond Danielle. Another participant, Shannen, also a mother of two, lost 10 kilograms using equ and praised its flexibility, allowing her to prepare meals for her family while still following her macro goals. Shannen highlighted that foods typically considered indulgent, such as pizza, pasta, and burgers, could be included without derailing progress. This contrasted sharply with her previous experiences, where extreme dieting and rigorous gym routines left her feeling deprived while delivering less sustainable results.
Mel, another participant, won equ’s most recent eight-week challenge by losing 7.7 kilograms. She noted that previous weight-loss programs had been difficult to stick to, but equ’s structured plan, combined with support and community, helped her stay focused and achieve measurable results. This emphasis on accountability and science-backed guidance has become a cornerstone of the program, enabling participants to navigate challenges without guilt or restriction.
Equ was founded by Amal Wakim, who personally lost 30 kilograms after struggling with weight cycling and restrictive diets. Amal’s own health journey was influenced by her family’s eating habits and a doctor’s warning about insulin resistance, which motivated her to adopt sustainable weight-loss practices. Her experience inspired the creation of equ, emphasizing self-love, choice, and evidence-based nutrition rather than the guilt-driven messaging often seen in diet culture. Since 2016, the program has helped over 60,000 Australian women reach their goals.
Equ’s approach blends flexibility with structure, providing personalized calorie and macronutrient targets, weekly meal plans, and access to over 9,000 macro-friendly recipes. The program also encourages participation in challenges, with incentives including cash prizes, gift packs, and memberships. The eight-week challenge, running from January 19 to March 15, is designed to help women achieve sustainable results without restriction or judgment. Danielle and other participants highlight that equ’s model allows them to balance motherhood, family life, and personal goals while losing weight and enjoying foods they love.
