Today Tonight Video
Interview with Sue and Nadia
Campbell Live
Being a Personal Trainer I was great at motivating and helping others to achieve their health and fitness goals, but somewhere along the way I forgot to set some goals for myself.
I trained clients most days, taught yoga/pilates classes during the week, am a wife and a mum to a 10 and 12 year old, and squeezed in my own training where and when I could. Looking back I was displaying all the signs of over training. Gaining weight, not sleeping, constantly exhausted, even waking up exhausted! I pretty much followed a nutritionally sound diet during the week but come Friday afternoon it was time to socialise and relax and sometimes I would go all day on only two meals, wine and cheese!!!
No wonder all of my clothes were tight and uncomfortable and I was feeling a bit like a fraud.
I had been reading the success stories in Women’s Health and Fitness Magazine for quite a while and in particular those that had enlisted the help of Sue at www.idealbodiesonline.com to complete a 12 week challenge.
One day after once again struggling to find something that fit to wear out I decided that that was exactly what I needed…a “challenge”. Personal trainer or not, I needed accountability, support and someone to do the hard work for me – prepare a program and eating plan – so that I was able to stay focused on my clients as well. I knew I needed to train and eat smarter but the biggest challenge for me was to completely put my trust in Sue and do exactly as I was told!!
At first the scales dropped a little but then for the next 9 weeks nothing happened…well not on the outside anyway.
The support of the online forum became invaluable at this time as I struggled to stay patient, and consistently follow the program. My body was very reluctant to let go of the weight it seemed. It became a mind game as I constantly had comments like “but you look great already” “you don’t need to do this”.
I felt very differently and I was determined to see it through. It became about a lot more than just losing some weight. At this time I took myself off to a natural hormone doctor and discovered that my hormones were all over the place, being 46 this was to be expected if not accepted.
With an action plan in place there, Sue then tweaked my nutrition slightly to include more healthy fats like flaxseed oil, avocado and nuts and I was off and running. My body had finally kicked into gear! My husband and kids were great, very supportive and encouraging even though they thought it impossible for me to lose weight on the amount of food I was eating. I soon learned that 5 to 6 small meals per day were exactly what my body responded to.
I learned to look for triggers like when I was overtired I would overeat. Rest also became a crucial factor, especially after a big weights session. In fact the whole challenge was a big learning curve and a roller coaster of ups and downs as I battled with the power of my very overactive mind. The whole process has taught me that it doesn’t matter who we are, what knowledge we have or how motivated we are, we all face the same challenges at some stage and to achieve our goals and dreams we need to be strong minded, patient and consistent.
If we slip up it doesn’t mean we are a failure, just that we are human. The important thing is to get right back on track at the very next meal.
I also realise that we are constantly learning and growing and that there is no shame in putting your hand up and asking for help if that’s what is needed to pull yourself out of a rut!
It was very empowering and a very happy day for me when, with just days to go to the 12 week mark, I weighed in under my goal weight. More important than losing the weight though was losing some old habits and beliefs that were holding me back from realising my full potential. There is no turning back now!
Write it down! Keep a diary of everything you eat and drink and a record of your workouts.
Get on the forum: There is great, non-judgemental support there for the taking. Don’t be shy. You could even make new friends! Those that enlist the help of others greatly increase their chance of success!
Something that Michelle, my feedback coach said that always stuck with me was “Nothing tastes as good as being fit and healthy feels.”
It is actually true!!
Good things happen to those that are patient and consistent. Don’t give up. It really is a 12 week program.
Spread the cottage cheese thickly over the toast. Place strawberries on top. Drizzle with Sugar Free Maple Syrup.
Mix protein powder into a paste (MRM Whey Pumped or Low Carb are the best for this – I have tried others and it just didn’t work as well) mix in peanut butter and currants, place in freezer for an hour or so. You can also add frozen berries (raspberries) if your program allows.
There is no way you can feel deprived after this. It’s a great little treat you can have everyday.
"Remember, success is not measured by heights attained but by obstacles overcome. We're going to pass through many obstacles in our lives: good days, bad days. But the successful person will overcome those obstacles and constantly move forward."
-Bruce Jenner
