I had some success with weight loss using another well known program, but while this got me to what I thought was the right place on the scales it did not change my shape and I simply became a smaller version of the same pear shape.

 

So I carried on for years going to the gym on and off, starting diets on and off and generally being unhappy with the way I looked and my fitness level. My turning point was in April 2010 when I caught a glimpse of myself in a shop window, and looking back was a frumpy looking woman who didn’t care about her appearance. This, coupled with the prospect of turning 45 in June was enough to give me the boot I needed and finally commit myself to a course of action.

 

 

Having started and failed various diets in the past I knew that if I wanted to really achieve results I had to enlist some support and be accountable for my results. As a reader of Oxygen magazine I had seen the results of Ideal Bodies Online clients but never really believed that I could be one of the success stories. 

 

 

I signed up for a 12 week personalised program with a Personal Success Mentor so I had the full back up. The program was clear, with exercise demonstrations if I needed to look something up. I liked the clear structure of the nutritional plan, it was disciplined enough to make me stick to it but had enough freedom in choices of food so that I had the flexibility I wanted.

 

A couple of the exercises were tricky as both my shoulders have been frozen at different times over the last few years and I have only just regained full movement in my right arm. My feedback coach at IBO, Sharna, was quick to give me alternative exercise choices when I couldn’t manage the ones in the original program. My Personal Success Mentor, Maxine, was regularly in touch throughout the program giving me support and encouragement.  

 

 

My first results were finding some clothes were too big for me at around week 4.  But even though this was happening I was taking weekly photos, comparing them to my “before” photos and not seeing any difference. It was not until about week 9 that I really started to see that difference in the photos and I was able to buy a couple of lovely dresses in size 10 – previously unheard of for me!

 

 

It was so frustrating to be close to the end of the program and not be able to carry on but I received good advice from Sharna and Maxine to let my body rest. So I stuck to the nutritional plan but cut out the training sessions for a week.  

 

Getting to the end of 12 weeks was a fantastic feeling. My husband is a keen amateur photographer and he wanted to learn studio photography so we set up a mini studio in the house and had great fun. I bought some new outfits – bikini, gym wear and size 10 slim fit jeans – and we spent a couple of hours trying different poses and taking 500 shots!

 

I am more than happy with the results I achieved. The weight loss in itself was great but I was more pleased with the change in my measurements and with the reduction in the size of my butt and thighs. 

 

 

Towards the end of the program I started taking more care in my appearance and picking more flattering clothes to wear even when just popping to the shops. I have more confidence in myself and no longer feel frumpy and middle aged.  Instead I feel revitalised, fit and glowing with health.