I was sick of myself and the way I looked and the fact that my 50th birthday was coming up in November made the decision to enter the challenge an easy one.

I had seen the Women’s Fitness and Health magazine with Jennifer Hawkins on the front at the newsagents.  There was an ad in the magazine for Ideal Bodies Online who were running a 12 week New You competition. I thought to myself… I can do that - can’t I?  I contacted Sue who provided me with exercise and diets tips which I followed religiously throughout my journey. I was a little dubious, as you can see by my very first email to Sue below – I’d tried everything. 

Hi Sue. I have just purchased my second 'Women's Fitness' magazine. The article 'Fabulous at 50' caught my eye as I will be 50 this year. Yes panic stations - not for my age for my thighs...... I have been trying to budge some cellulite from my upper thighs forever.  At 27 years old I took up running having done aerobics since 'Jane' came onto the scene. In fact I became a nationally accredited fitness leader. But no - couldn't budge the pudge on the thighs. I have run marathons, done tri-athlons, done weights, rode my bike from Darwin to Broom (3th Ks). Still can't budge the pudge.  Joined 'Sureslim' you know the blood taken then analyse your foods and go from there. Still the big 'C' won't go.
 
I do not eat in excess. Breakfast 1 x 2 eggs or 45g cheese and 75 g veg or 175g yogurt and some fruit. Lunch is 55g cheese or beans or 90 g poultry or 55 g tofu  or 90 g fish or eggs and all with 95 g veg. Dinner 65 g tofu, 100g fish or 65g beans, 100g poultry or 2 eggs and all with 105g eggs. Nos if I exercise for more than 30 mins I am supposed to add 35g for every extra half hour.  I only ever add the 35g - can't fit anymore in!!! Herbal teas, some coffee, tea and water.
 
I am 5ft half and inch tall (very important half an inch I must say). Weigh between 48 and 49.7 kg. I don't eat red meat but eat chicken and fish and pulses. Eat low sugar, fat, salt foods and no preservatives or processed food a majority of the time. Drink heaps of water but do partake in some alcohol. I am still menstruating so am not menopausal yet!  People have this image of me as being so fit I must look gr8 in a bikini - but my secret is - yes, the big 'C' on my thighs.  I am never to be seen out of my board shorts. They cover a multitude of sins.
 
I bench press 42kg and leg press 300kg - still the big C won't go.
 
I am now desperate and wonder if you can help me.  I have spent a fortune on books, massages, food supplements, dieticians, and personal trainer (still seeing him). One body builder I saw had me drinking shakes etc and I got so tired I went to see the doctor and he said he didn't know what I had been doing but if I didn't stop he would have to put me in hospital.  But still the big 'C' was there.  I read that you personally reply to your clients and that has motivated me to at least approach you.  It is now your turn to see if you can help me.  I have kept diaries re food and exercise so I am very disciplined and I am not afraid to take what you say verbatim.  You have until November 11 when I turn the big 50.
 
R u willing to take me up as a challenge?????????????????????????????
 
I live on the Gold Coast and am prepared to visit you personally.
 
Thankyou for your consideration.
 
Louise.

I entered the challenge and by week six I was feeling great and starting to see results, so to celebrate my commitment I cut off my hair which was so long I could sit on it.  Having the courage to do that re enforced my attempt to reinvent myself.

Being a shift worker, selling a house and then purchasing another, packing them up and then unpacking (right in the middle of the challenge) was quite stressful actually but the drive-way at my new home plus its stairs certainly helped give me buns of steel! My husband was away so I did the lot by myself, so feel that these last 12 weeks have shown me that you CAN do whatever you want once you make the commitment.  With Easter in the middle of the challenge too and not having chocolate was probably the hardest thing of all.  The diet and exercise I just loved and cannot believe the results.  Life is a boomerang; you only get out of it what you put in.

The food was of course the highlight of my day. Measured quantities every 3 hours seemed tiring but boy, when you are hungry and you know what you have to eat and how much, certainly made life easy.  I even found giving up alcohol not such a difficult thing to do too.

I exercised to a degree every day whether it would be weights (alternative upper and lower body) or running or walking.  The cardio I had to keep to a minimum as per my training program.  Callum,  owner of Rush Athletic in Coolangatta trained me so hard when I saw him I must admit I didn’t think I had it in me but he made me work and I didn’t want to let him down either.

I can’t believe the challenge is over but I do know I will not go back to the way I was before I started the challenge.