I’ve always loved puzzles - especially the satisfaction that comes from getting down to those last ten pieces or so, when you start to really see the finished product and know that you’ve made it through the most difficult part. This is what I liked so much about my Ideal Bodies Online 12-week Tailored Program. I didn’t always know what to expect, but I trusted in the end goal and followed the process step-by-step.

 
I am 45 years old and have always been relatively active, but never quite achieved the correct combination of diet and exercise.  I was a classic “skinny-fat” person to use Sue’s terminology – slim enough most of the time but really struggling in some body areas.  If I went off my diet I would stop exercising too and have a ‘well deserved break’, which would ultimately see me back at where I started in no time at all.  I had two entire wardrobes of clothes – ranging three sizes to fit every part of the yoyo cycle.  Basically, after 25yrs of being on the diet merry-go-round I decided I wanted to get off once and for all.  I subscribed to Oxygen magazine two years ago and in February 2011 finally decided to look up an IBO program after seeing their ads and thinking ‘one day I’ll do that’.
 

How I wish I had not waited so long!! 

The immediate support and email conversations I had with Kristin at IBO were fantastic.  I asked all sorts of questions and voiced many concerns, but was so encouraged by her feedback and other testimonials.  I am still staggered at the incredibly well priced program considering the detail of gym programs, diet plans and regular email coaching that you get.  The best part is you get to own your program and run it yourself – the power this gives you, versus having a personal trainer standing there telling you what to do, is indescribable.  And yes I had several people laugh at me when I said I had an online trainer who I had never met, but they are not laughing now!  I have learned so much about correct eating patterns, how to combat injuries, reasoning behind weights training and most importantly how to take control of my own life.

It wasn’t easy sailing at all through the program – I faced some pretty heavy demons in first few weeks.  I have a busy full-time job so scheduling eight workouts each week was a challenge in itself.  My negative voice was saying things like “this is too hard”, “I don’t have time to cook and prepare all this food” and “this is not worth it”, but after only one week the routine was forming and I was on my way.  At Week 6 I strained my hip flexor and had to stop all cycling and dancing classes which limited my high cardio options; then at Week 8 I strained my shoulder and rib muscles so badly I could hardly breathe and running was no longer an option.  At Week 10 when I thought I had recovered, I injured it again.  I felt like giving up, and certainly had a day or two of ‘woe is me’, but decided I had come too far. 

My coach Sharna said something I will never forget – “just focus on what you can do, and not on what you can’t do”.  

Adding cheat meals at her suggestion really helped restart my metabolism when my weight stalled at Week 7.  I wasn’t a perfect angel, I did stray from my meal plan, but only in small ways – a mountain bread wrap here or there when needed, or a small piece of chocolate to keep my sanity.  What I really wanted to achieve was a healthy habit of eating to keep for life.  I found after Week 9 my body had accepted the food changes and no longer wanted to deviate from the diet plan.  The final Depletion Week option is amazing (easier than it sounds, so give it a go) – the results are extraordinary and well worth it.

Before the program my main problem was ‘stickability’, and this has now become my buzz word... I believe if you have stickability you can achieve anything.   12 weeks sounds like a long time, but wow it went so fast.  I lost 8.5kg and am in the best shape of my life.  The great thing about your IBO coach is that they don’t design every single detail for you.  They give you the blueprint – the info and support - and let you map the steps yourself.  End result is I now have the knowledge of how to structure my own programs, and the ability and will to continue to live this healthy lifestyle.  I’ve always liked the idea of training for a Figure or Fitness comp, so who knows….maybe this will be my next goal.  It’s never too late, right?!

*NOTE: Deb has been on to compete in her first sports model comp and is currently training for another. Not only that, but Deb was chosen as a calendar girl for Titan and is looking sensational!