Georgina Willard never thought artificial intelligence (AI) would help her lose 40 kilograms. After gaining weight during the COVID years, Willard leaned on the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet and its innovative AI function, My Journey, to shed the pounds over 16 months.
Before discovering the program, Willard, like many others, endured the notorious 'COVID kilos' after lockdown. "I jumped online and came across the CSIRO Total Wellbeing diet," she shared on Sunrise, stating, "Everything I read was proven by science. There were so many different tools and resources available, from the AI tool to success stories, the community social media pages. They want you to succeed and want you to make long-lasting lifestyle changes."
Willard found success by focusing on small targets, aiming to lose 5 kilograms at a time rather than overwhelming herself with the larger goal. "I targeted the first 5 kilograms and I quickly came across it within the first three weeks," she explained, adding, "Then it was the next five. Suddenly it built up."
After transforming her life, Willard now maintains her 49.1 kilograms by remaining active and focused on her health. She regularly walks over 10,000 steps each day, practices Pilates, and enjoys healthier versions of her favorite treats, stating, "The best thing about the program is it’s not about depriving yourself of chocolates, ice cream, or fries. It’s all about moderation instead."
According to CSIRO Research Scientist, Dr. Gilly Hendrie, the CSIRO diet promotes balanced nutrition without eliminating any food groups. "It’s high protein, low GI carbohydrates; nothing is off-limits," she stated. Hendrie continued, noting the importance of teaching participants sustainable eating habits rather than enforcing quick fixes. Although other programs may promise rapid weight loss through restrictions, Hendrie argues this approach is typically not sustainable. She believes it’s about healthy eating and instilling the knowledge to make informed choices.
Unlike weight-loss medications, the CSIRO plan emphasizes healthy lifestyle habits encompassing diet, exercise, and adequate sleep. "Our program focuses on healthy eating rather than one-size-fits-all methods," Dr. Hendrie stated. "People are learning the skills and knowledge, which they find really helpful."
New research from the CSIRO highlights the effectiveness of personalized goal-setting within weight loss regimens. An analysis of over 22,000 participants revealed most began with ambitious targets, such as losing 20 kilograms. Unfortunately, only 3% achieved these within 12 weeks. Conversely, members who engaged with My Journey's AI-generated personalized goals frequently experienced superior success rates. Hendrie confirmed, “We know early wins create momentum for weight loss, and by setting personalized, realistic goals, members gain the motivation to stay the course and pursue larger milestones.”
Dr. Hendrie also pointed out the value of ‘stretch goals’—goals beyond the immediate reach but still attainable with effort. Those who pursued these ambitious yet achievable targets not only lost more weight over three months, but maintained their successes afterward. A notable finding showed 90% of individuals who attained these stretch goals managed to lose 5% or more of their initial weight within 12 months.
"Stretch goals give people extra motivation to see what’s possible," Hendrie added. This approach assists those with more significant weight challenges, as demonstrated among participants classified as obese: 20% managed to achieve their stretch goals and averaged 12 kilograms lost within the first 12 weeks—four more kilograms than those meeting only personalized goals.
Encouraged by these results, CSIRO continues to innovate. The introduction of My Journey marks the program's response to achieving new health resolutions—a specialized AI tool aiding Australians to set achievable weight loss goals. Dr. Hendrie expressed her confidence, saying, "With My Journey, you can trust the program to create goals crafted for your unique circumstances, giving you the best chance to succeed."
With data supporting the efficacy of the Total Wellbeing Diet over the past decade, which has helped over 1 million Australians, Willard’s success serves as inspiration for others. The personalized approach to goal setting, combined with AI assistance, showcases the power of technology and science working together to achieve health goals. Whether starting anew this January or continuing past efforts, the CSIRO approach assures participants the tools for attaining lasting health goals are within reach.