Congratulations Penny Byron

NEW YOU Runner Up 2009!

Well, it happened before I knew it. I was nearly 50, fat, flabby, frustrated and feeling awful. I had sabotaged my efforts to lose weight for years by constant yo-yo dieting, starving myself to the point of exhaustion and ill-health. At night I would arrive home after work and begin to eat so much that I couldn’t then eat the healthy meal I’d prepare for my family. In addition, I was addicted to caffeine and chocolate, too many glasses of wine combined with chips, dip and whatever else was in the fridge.

Chest Pains...

In June this year, acute stress brought on chest pains; the tingling began in my arms then merged with the bad headaches on a daily basis. The doctor confirmed my health was declining rapidly and these were the warning signs. However, I chose to ignore all of that as I continued uncontrollably toward 50.

I always thought I looked pretty good until I saw my birthday photos and that was it. The crunch came.

I had seen Ideal Bodies Online on the television and in the magazines- always other people’s success stories.

"Now, it was my turn."
 

I made an instantaneous decision to begin the ‘New You’12 week program at the end of the September school holidays, combined with a fortunate special at the local gym.

‘Here I am, this it, there’s no turning back.’

I began the program absolutely stunned that my diet was actually so poor and that my knowledge of healthy eating incredibly, was less than desirable. The exercise program, a food planner and regime and a very patient coach Maxine, supported me by answering my questions and helped me with my weekly food planning. I couldn’t believe how much I actually began to eat and how much energy I had.

Maxine helped me to acquire the knowledge and to support me to continue to eat cleanly. I made healthy choices within a very specific schedule of planned meals, 6 in total in conjunction with an additional supplemental plan continuing on with the muscle development following training.

I began to devour everything I could to read and familiarize myself with food and training ideas. I pushed myself through the days when I was so tired after work or after dinner when everyone was relaxing to head off to the gym for a workout, a cardio class or both. I began to feel fit and physically attractive. I dared not get onto the scales however I didn’t need to because my clothes were becoming looser every week.

The whole time while in training mode, I kept reiterating to my friends and work colleagues what I was doing and that it would culminate in a professional photo shoot at its completion. By the end of the 12 weeks, my bursting enthusiasm had significantly spread and others had begun to bring salads to work and go for walks during their lunch breaks. They continued to encourage me everyday by looking in wonderment at the picnic box I’d bring into the staff room and discussing what it contained and of course - how much food was in there (I had been known as ‘the girl who eats 3 spoons of yoghurt per day’).

My 12 weeks have finished. I am now proclaiming to be 50 and Fabulous. I had my photo shoot, I felt proud, strong and beautiful. This was a defining moment seeing something through to its completion with a result that I could never have dreamed possible.

"I have energy to burn, I feel young and vibrant."

I thoroughly enjoy the compliments from those known to me and from strangers. It’s wonderful and empowering and this is the beginning of a new adventure.

My eternal thanks go to Sue and all of her ‘Ideal Bodies’ team. They have given me and my family some incredible moments to celebrate. I believe I am a role model and an active promoter of healthy food choices supported with an exercise plan that is always changing and motivating.

‘Ideal bodies’ gave me an amazing gift to share with others and relish in their success too.

So bring on the New Year, a fresh start and an abundance of life and energy to achieve bigger and more spectacular things in the future!