Hitting the spotlight at a young age can be difficult for anyone, but to have your body scrutinised by millions of people on top of it can be agonising. It is a pain Australian Idol 2004 winner, Casey Donovan, knows all too well, taking out the singing competition at just 16.

“One time I was quoted saying I had a can of Coca Cola and a Snickers for breakfast and that just bled through all of the media outlets. Everyone has had a comment on my weight, whether it be from that young age or still now, it is a very hot topic,” she says.

The narrative surrounding Donovan’s weight has shifted into a more positive light, as the artist has for the first time in her adult life hit the scales at under 100kg. Last August, Donovan started a new health journey with weight management company Jenny Craig and lost 15kg in 12 weeks. She says after dieting on and off, she always ended up putting the weight back on, so wanted to approach things differently this time.

“Health being the main focus and the weight being the bonus and that is exactly what it was. Just re-educating and getting the tools that Jenny Craig has given me to be able to be on the road and still eat healthy, and look after me, and be the best very version of myself.”

Donovan says without the stigma of the scales and the intense focus on whether the number has been going up or down, she has found the experience to be a more pleasant one. Switching the focus onto a lifestyle change, one you can take with you forever, has her feeling the best she ever has.

“It’s making everything so much lighter and brighter. I am beaming, everyone says so; it must be doing something right,” she smiles.

The singer is getting ready for a busy year with new tracks and big gigs coming her way. She takes the stage at the 26 January concert in Sydney, a role in the Shakespeare-meets-pop production, & Juliet, and emcee duties on the opening night of Sydney WorldPride. As a proud Gumbaynggir and Dungari woman, she is thrilled to perform at the First Nations pride event, Blak & Deadly. She says the busy program is looking even better with her new lifestyle. 

She has set herself a goal to reach the 20kg [weight loss] mark through Jenny Craig. Before starting with the company, and implementing other methods of weight loss, she managed to get down from 136kg; now she wants to really test herself.

“Being in double digits I just thought ‘you know what, why not try and get down to 90kg and give it a real crack and reset your body?’ We all know our bodies and they all want to take us back to a safe number, so I just want to retrain my body,” she says.

Donovan says having food delivered straight to her door is a huge help given her busy schedule. However, she says you still have to go to the store to buy your fruit, veggies and grains, and you will still have to shop when hungry, so it helps if you understand what those triggers are.

“You don’t put it on overnight, it isn’t going to fall off overnight, but it is certainly re-educating, and Jenny has given me the tools that I needed to move forward. Being 34, I’m not getting any younger, so being able to take the time to focus on my health and mindset has been great,” she says.

Donovan says the program doesn’t set out an exercise routine, but recommends getting at least 8,000 steps a day, nothing too strenuous – just to go out and move your body. If you don’t move it, you will lose it, she says; her exercise of choice is walking. She also started doing reformer Pilates, which she admits she was nervous about doing alone, but her fans helped her with what to wear and what to do.

“I thoroughly enjoy it, it is for people of any shape, and the one thing I love about reformer Pilates is you don’t have to bust yourself to get it done. You literally just get on there, move at your own pace, everyone is there just to have 45 minutes of chill-out time and I love it,” she says.

The singer’s advice for anyone considering a weight management program is to just do it, and to stop putting it off until tomorrow or Monday. She says the program is there to guide you, teach you what a portion size should be and what calories really look like. 

“Why not make today the day and make that Monday today? As scary as it is, there is nothing to fear when you feel great about the person you are becoming,” Donovan says.

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