<\/p>\n
At her heaviest in August 2023, she weighed about 150kg.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
A second meniscus injury and a warning from her surgeon last year became the catalyst for her to take a different approach.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was like: \u2018Your knees are going to be absolutely stuffed within the next few years\u2019,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThat really hit home for me and I thought, \u2018okay, I\u2019m going to do something\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Having previously viewed gastric sleeve surgery as a last resort, Bryant began researching other people\u2019s experiences and decided to go ahead with the procedure in Turkey in June last year.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
At her heaviest in August 2023, Talei Bryant weighed about 150kg before setting out to improve her health and mobility.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
She said the surgery was a significant part of her weight loss, but it was not a standalone solution.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s not that you have the surgery and lose the weight – you have to have a plan in place for yourself,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Bryant focused on following the nutritional guidelines provided after surgery, getting her daily steps in and gradually returning to exercise.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
At six weeks, she was back in the gym, and by eight weeks she was playing volleyball again.<\/p>\n
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Her knees have improved significantly, allowing her to jump and play with far fewer problems than before.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely still feel tightness, but my legs are so much stronger and there\u2019s no real issues,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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Volleyball has long been a passion for Bryant, who played netball, soccer and rugby at school but always found volleyball the most enjoyable.<\/p>\n
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She has coached for about 12 years and, alongside friend Zara Anderson, helped establish local volleyball club Above the Net at the end of 2024.<\/p>\n
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She enjoys being part of a sport that brings people together and allows players of different fitness levels to participate.<\/p>\n
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\u201cSome of the girls I play with now, I\u2019ve been playing with since high school, so it\u2019s just been awesome,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
But running has become one of her biggest personal challenges.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
At her heaviest in August 2023, Talei Bryant weighed about 150kg before setting out to improve her health and mobility.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
In January this year, Bryant committed to running at least 2km every day. She is now more than 290 days into the streak without missing a day.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Her longest run so far was 13km, from Wairaka to \u014chope, as part of a volleyball fundraiser.<\/p>\n
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Bryant said maintaining the daily streak had become as much a mental challenge as a physical one.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
\u201cThere have been times where it\u2019ll be 11pm and if I haven\u2019t done it, I\u2019ll go for a run. Often, I plan my day around my run.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The commitment has helped her challenge the doubts she once had about her ability to make lasting changes.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWith running, I\u2019m showing myself that I can do it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Bryant said some of her proudest moments had been everyday milestones, including being able to sit comfortably in chairs with sides, fit clothes in shops and travel by plane without needing a seatbelt extender.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not so much the numbers on the scales that matter to me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cEvery day I just want to be a little bit better.\u201d<\/p>\n
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She uses her daily run to explore different places when travelling for work or volleyball.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI get to see so much more of these different towns and cities when I go for a run. I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Alongside her fitness goals, Bryant chairs the T\u0101neatua Community Board, works part-time as a Project K co-ordinator with the Graham Dingle Foundation, supports Trident High School students, and works part-time at the \u014chope Beach Tavern.<\/p>\n
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Her next goals are to complete the Tauranga City to Surf half marathon in November and build her strength through more gym training.<\/p>\n
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For others considering major changes to their health, Bryant recommends taking time to identify what they want to achieve and make a plan that works for them.<\/p>\n
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Her own goal was never simply weight loss.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI just want to be able to jump and walk without pain in my knees,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Bryant is happy to connect with anyone wanting to talk about her experience with gastric sleeve surgery. To follow her journey or get in touch, find her on Instagram at @aunty_talas_journey.<\/p>\n
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