Ms Leslie has lipedema, a condition that causes an irregular distribution of fat in the legs and buttocks. Lipedema, previously known as painful fat syndrome, affects 11 per cent of Australian women.

Ms Leslie said she weighs just over 80kg with close to 60kg of that weight in her legs.

Ms Leslie uses compression stockings, specially made shoes, a strict diet and exercise routine, acupuncture and physiotherapy to manage her lipedema.

While these measures have improved her quality of life, Ms Leslie, 47, still deals with pain from the condition, with walking a task she doesn’t take for granted.

“Each morning when I wake up I have to put on specially made shoes because the pressure from the weight from my legs has caused the padding on the bottom of my feet wear away,” she said.

“Without my shoes on, it feels like I am walking on concrete all the time.

“It is one of the things I have learnt to live with. I also bruise easily and I have had to all but give up dairy foods, which for a daughter of a dairy farmer has been tough.”

She said she first noticed the effects of the condition late in her teens and first sought medical help in her early 20s.

“I had a lot of pain and swelling but no-one really took me seriously,” she said.

“There were times when the pain was so bad I would wake up screaming.”

Ms Leslie was determined to continue to find an answer to deal with her pain with her research leading her to lipedema.

“When I was 45, I went to an experienced GP and told him I think I have lipedema,” she said.

“After the first consultation he agreed, it has certainly made a difference having that support.”

Ms Leslie is researching and writing her new book, A Fat Myth, which she hopes will be an important tool for those suffering with lipedema. It will be her second publication, following on from her 2008 offering, Bipolar- A Balancing Act.

Ms Leslie said through her research she has learnt two of her aunties had lipedema.

“I think genetics has played a part, although none of my four sisters have lipedema,” she said.

Kate Pennington from Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Bowen Therapy Services, praised Ms Leslie for her aim to raise awareness of lipedema.

“Gabrielle has undergone extensive research on her own volition, in her quest to help understand her own health condition,” Ms Pennington said.

“She is to be applauded for her diligence in this regard.”