If you’ve ever felt like the odds are stacked against you when it comes to losing weight—especially as the years tick by—then Robyn Stronach’s story might be the inspiration you need.
At 62, Robyn has shed an incredible 31kg and transformed her life, proving that age is no barrier to better health and happiness.
Robyn’s journey wasn’t a simple one. Like many of us, she spent years battling both physical and mental health challenges.
Her weight had crept up to 119kg, and with it came a host of health issues: shortness of breath, metabolic syndrome, and a family history of heart disease that loomed over her like a dark cloud.
She was also a borderline diabetic, and her cholesterol levels were rising dangerously. To make matters worse, Robyn had already endured a failed gastric sleeve surgery—a procedure many turn to as a last resort.
But even that didn’t provide the solution she desperately needed.
‘I would stress eat anything and everything—and not just three meals a day,’ Robyn recalled
‘It was all day. As sad as it sounds, I was a bottomless pit. I thought I was feeling happy when I ate. Little did I realise it was making me miserable.’
It wasn’t until she was 59 that Robyn decided enough was enough. She knew she had to make a change—not just for herself, but for her family.
But the idea of stepping into a gym, especially a mixed-gender one, filled her with dread. Like many women, she felt self-conscious and out of place.
That’s when her daughter stepped in, encouraging her to join F45 Ormeau, a local gym, alongside her niece. It was a daunting prospect, but Robyn took the plunge.
‘There were two trainers I will always hold close to my heart. They encouraged me to the point that I tell everyone they saved my life,’ she said.
‘They always encouraged and supported me—in general, they were just my superheroes.’
Robyn’s transformation didn’t happen in a vacuum. She was working full-time at a hospital, caring for her mother, supporting her husband through cancer, and being a mum and grandmother to nine children.
If anyone had an excuse to put their health on the back burner, it was Robyn. Yet, she made it work. Most mornings, she and her daughter would rise at 3:50 a.m. to make the 4:30 a.m. class. If she couldn’t make it in the morning, she’d find time later.
Her goal? At least five sessions a week. One of the most potent aspects of Robyn’s journey was the support she found at her gym.
The trainers didn’t just give her a workout—they gave her belief in herself. When old injuries flared up, she learned to adapt.
‘There are some things I just can’t do—like box jumps due to a degenerate lower back—but I don’t let this stop me. I modify my exercises to suit my old injuries and new ones. I forget my age and go too far sometimes!’ she laughed.
Now, Robyn offers encouragement to new members, paying forward the support she received. Her next goal? To take on a Hyrox challenge—a gruelling fitness event that combines running with functional workouts.
Her son is now her cheerleader, and she’s even started running.
‘I want to be a good role model for my grandchildren, so they can see their grandmother fit and healthy,’ she said.
Have you faced similar challenges with your health or weight? What’s worked for you—or what’s held you back? We’d love to hear your stories, tips, and questions in the comments below.
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