New You Winner of Most Inspirational Award - 2012

For as long as I can remember, I have had body image issues.  Family, school, peers and the media all contributed to my feelings of not being ‘good enough’. 

"Life was a cycle of emotional binging, detox and fad diets."

A few years ago I broke my neck, pelvis, arm, hip, ribs and facial bones in an accident.  Rehabilitation was long, hard and painful and I hated going to the gym with ‘the beautiful people’.  When that was over, I settled for walking.

My high pressured job in Real Estate called for alcohol to de-stress every night and my busy social life always involved alcohol.

With a 16 year old, my partner and his 3 girls (part time), life was overwhelming. I am a perfectionist and had to do everything myself so it was done ‘properly’.  I was always tired, cranky and on edge.

"When my weight reached 75kg in January 2011, I tried another fad diet."

I lost 10 kg in a few months by just eating protein. I didn’t need to exercise at all. The more people noticed my weight loss, the more determined I was to lose more, and I did.  In October my digestive system started failing from lack of nutrition.  My health, relationships and work were troubled and I got very sick.  

I needed help and decided to join Ideal Bodies Online, signing up for the Ultimate Body Makeover Program.  After a comprehensive questionnaire my fitness and nutrition plan was supplied.  I was accountable to myself, my mentor and feedback coach.  It was a struggle eating so much food at first, especially fruit and veggies and I had to teach myself that it was ok.

My favourite quote is definitely ‘failing to plan is planning to fail’.  I enjoyed planning my clean meals and even embraced weight training!

The Motivation Magnified e-book is my bible.  It provided me with many great, helpful tools.  I made a poster, put it on the kitchen wall and wrote my quotes, achievements and stuck fitness pictures on.  I made a Motivation Notebook where I wrote my goals, motivation, guidelines and rules for success.

"There were many times where I nearly gave up. "

I was unfairly dismissed from my job just before Christmas.  I strained my Achilles.  My family visited from interstate for 2 weeks.  My partner’s Step Mum died.  We went on a 15 day road trip. There was Christmas, New Year, Australia Day, weddings and parties.  Food and alcohol everywhere!!!

 I have learnt so much about having the right mindset and attitude.  When I fell off my plan, I learnt not to waste time and energy feeling guilty and giving up.  I put the negative thoughts to the back of my mind and got back on track.

Without consistency, patience and discipline, there is no success.  Everything I have learnt from my 12 weeks, I am applying to all aspects of my life. I couldn’t be happier, healthier or more energetic.  Finally, I feel confident.  I am good enough, and I can do anything!

My Favourite Recipe - Mexican Beef

• 100g eye fillet
• ½ cup red kidney beans
• 2 cups chopped vegetables – red, yellow and green capsicum, onion, garlic and mushrooms and 1 chopped tomato

1. Quickly stir-fry thinly sliced beef in 1 tbsp. olive oil (fat allowance)
2. Remove from pan and stir-fry vegetables
3. When soft, return beef to pan, add drained kidney beans and season with freshly chopped chilli and/or Mexican chilli powder.

*You can lightly spray pan with olive oil instead of 1 tbsp. oil and garnish with avocado.  Sometimes I added ¼ Cup Mexican Salsa.

Fiona’s Top 5 Success Tips
 

1. Be organised - take the time once a week to plan your menu.  Write your daily meals down, stick it on the fridge and follow it.
2. Embrace weights - try to train in the morning.  You will feel motivated and energised for the rest of the day.  If you can do that, you can face anything in the day.
3. Soar on the good parts, learn from the bad parts - acknowledge and congratulate your personal achievements.  If you have a bad day (and you will), don’t waste your time and energy on feeling guilty. When you get back up, you haven't failed.
4. Communicate - having online support from Kristin, Leanne and Maxine (my online coaches) was amazing. They are always just an email away to answer any question, no matter how small and silly you may think it is.
5. Don't weigh yourself - it is just a fluctuating number that isn't always true. It’s scary how 1kg higher or lower can affect your mental state - don’t let it!