‘It wasn’t always easy but nothing worth doing ever is and the first step was the hardest.I had my bad days as well where I didn’t believe getting fitter and healthier was possible and that’s normal.
‘I am so happy to say that now 18 months later I am 53 kilos lighter and even more importantly I have lost 31 kilos in the last 12 months. Those last 30 kilos were the toughest to lose and I never would have been able to do that if it wasn’t for @jennycraigausnz.
‘The whole team at @jennycraigausnz have been incredibly supportive and with me every step of the way.Their program is easy to follow, the food is delicious and the support and advice that you get is absolutely incredible.’
Jelena went on to say it’s not just her body which has changed - her whole life as transformed as well.
‘I have gone from not having any confidence at all and hiding in the house and not wanting to go outside, to really enjoying life.
‘I am looking forward to what’s ahead and I look forward to new challenges both in life and my health and fitness as I feel like ‘I can accomplish anything now.
‘I want to continue to lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle and still continue to get fitter and healthier.
‘I hope this will help many of you no matter what your goals are.I hope that my journey to get healthier will inspire and motivate you all and give you the courage and confidence no matter what you want to accomplish in life.
‘You can do it, go for it.’
Speaking at the beginning of her weight loss journey, Jelena says her weight gain was due to months of emotional eating.
'I was thrown into retirement not knowing what direction I wanted to go in,' she told the newspaper.
'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.'