HALF THE WOMAN SHE USED TO BE

She aced her fitness test this year, runs daily and sticks to a balanced diet. But nine years ago, she was hardly the picture of health at 110kg. Today, she weighs an enviable 55kg.

"After giving birth (to my son), I really ballooned, said MSG Marilyn, who was then in Headquarters 9th Division/Infantry.

She knew that her career in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) would go nowhere if she did nothing. Regulars are expected to maintain a healthy Body Mass Index and achieve at least a passing grade in their annual Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) to be considered for advancement.

"I was getting strange looks while I was in uniform and some even wondered if I would leave the SAF," said MSG Marilyn, who trained as a Supply Specialist. Her current role at 9th Army Maintenance Base is to ensure the availability of vehicle spares for Infantry units.

"I knew I had to change because I knew I was worth more than what people thought of me.

"I also liked my job too much to let it go just like that."

First steps

So she put on her running shoes and started, well, walking. "I was so heavy when I started that I couldn't run. So I walked and it was so painful that I cried," said the 32-year-old.

Then came the diet. Her plan was simple she would eat less and exercise more. "It was sweat and tears all at the same time," she said of her early days exercising and dieting.

Covering 2.4km daily (that's the same distance as the run segment of the IPPT), she also ate half of her regular portions. Gradually, she moved on to longer distances. These days, she regularly runs 10km and clocks more during the weekends.

Reaping dividends

Slowly but surely, the weight came off. Two years into the regime, a close friend jokingly asked if she was having an affair. "He thought I was losing weight to attract men!" said MSG Marilyn with a laugh. Her husband is also a Regular, and he serves in the Republic of Singapore Navy.

"I felt my confidence returning and I also began to come out of my shell." In 2011, her then-boss Major Charlie Choh asked her to be an emcee at a unit function.

"I hid behind the screen, reading my script. I was quite horrible at it," said MSG Marilyn, who added that she used to be the reserved type.

She has since moved on to host SAF events such as Specialist Cadet Graduation Parades and even SAF Day in 2013. "I literally found my voice doing those events."

Overcoming setbacks

She revealed that she was an unlikely soldier and had joined the SAF because of circumstances at home. In 2000, her mother was diagnosed with end-stage cancer and passed away two years later.

"My family wasn't doing very well at the time, so to have the SAF sponsor my education reduced the burden," said MSG Marilyn, who received an SAF sponsorship to study at the Institute of Technical Education before returning to serve full-time in June 2003.

A decade later, her brother died in a road accident. He was known to be a careful hand behind the wheel, and the fact that his first accident claimed his life was doubly hard for the family to accept. He was 30.

"When my colleagues from the SAF came to visit (at the funeral), I told them I didn't want to be taken off any duties," said MSG Marilyn. She knew she had to get herself together and move forward.

A week after the funeral, she was back at work. "I learnt this kind of mental strength from my time in the Army. No matter what happens, we still have a job to do."

Keeping weight off

These days, her day begins at 6.45am with a unit-conducted run. "I'm always doing something, rain or shine," said MSG Marilyn.

On the weekends, she meets her colleagues at East Coast Park for leisurely runs covering distances upwards of 10km.

"We are also using this as an opportunity to train for the upcoming Army Half Marathon in August."

Diet-wise, she sticks to low-calorie meals and specially formulated meal replacements. "I found that I needed to change my food habits to keep the weight down."

Her advice to those who are looking to shed weight: "Stop finding excuses and start today. Little steps at first and gradually build up.

"If I can do it, you can too!"