As I drew closer to turning 40 late in 2011,  I started thinking about how strange it was that I really didn’t feel any different to how I felt when I was years younger. When I was in my teens and even twenties, I perceived the age 40 to be “getting old”, but here I was hitting that age, and damnit - I didn’t feel old and I certainly wasn’t ready to start feeling “old”.

"What I had noticed however, was that there had been some physical changes in the past years which I was not at all impressed about.  "

A few kilograms had crept on, and generally I had developed more “curves” around places that I would prefer to not have! Being short, at only 155cm tall, doesn’t help, and a few extra kilos are noticeable pretty quickly.

I grew up as a chubby child, and suffered with all the torment that this generally brings, even though I was always active and involved in sports.   After finishing school, I joined a local weight loss group and worked hard to drop the excess weight.  I found that the weight came off easily, however, in my head, I could still only see an overweight person,  and continued unhealthy dieting and exhaustive exercise until eventually I had health issues as a result of my low weight.  I realised then that life had to be about health and balance. In the following years I married, had 2 children in my mid-twenties, and never really had issues with weight gain, probably because life was very busy and I have always been a fairly healthy eater.

In my early 30s, I started noticing clothes getting tighter.  I work with children which can be very tiring, so exercise was mainly going for a walk in the afternoon if I had the energy.  Often, I opted to relax with a glass of wine instead.   Of course, I tried the plan of cutting back at meals in order to stop gaining weight.  We all know that vicious cycle of making yourself so hungry you end up eating like a horse.  I started to feel “yuk”.

In late 2010, I saw an advertisement that our local gym was running a “boot camp” for 7 weeks, leading up to Christmas. I signed up (together with my teenage boys) and worked my butt off.  Because I had been so unfit, I had days where I could hardly walk, but I could feel the benefit and enjoyed the buzz after exercising.  I got through boot camp and became a gym member, which I attended regularly for the next 12 months doing a variety of cardio and weight exercises.  

"However, even though I could see some improvement, I wasn’t achieving the result that I had been hoping for.  I was also stuck in the same old routine every time I worked out."

I bought some issues of Oxygen Magazine for motivation and noticed some advertisements and articles on Ideal Bodies Online and visited the website to find out more.  I felt that this was the sort of challenge I needed, and after enquiring and receiving more information from Sue and Kristin, I signed up for a 12 week Tailored Nutrition and Training Plan with a Feedback Coach – Maxine.   I also signed up for the New You 12 Week Challenge as a way of keeping myself motivated for that big finish.  I couldn’t wait to see where this program would take me, and because I had to keep giving feedback and updates on my results – I couldn’t cheat!

Overall, I have found the nutrition plan easy to follow for the long term and satisfying. I found that the meal plans were easily fitted in around work or going out for dinner.  I could enjoy a free meal once a week and I feel that this is essential for keeping motivation up and keeping a sense of “normality” in the family.  I learned that this is also beneficial for boosting metabolism which can help results.  I enjoyed a glass of wine now and then, and I could continue to treat myself occasionally while on the program.  It was important to me to have a program that suited my lifestyle for the long term, and not a hard and fast short-term one that I could not sustain.  My program was tailored for me with this in mind.  Of course there was the odd time when things went awry, but I always made sure I went straight back to the plan afterwards without beating myself up.

I received 2 x 6 week training plans from Sharna, which again, were easy to follow and gave great results.  Any questions or queries I had were quickly answered and Maxine was wonderful in keeping me on track, even on my “down” weeks where I felt I couldn’t see further results. 

"However, after taking my completion photos I can absolutely see the huge difference this program has made to my body and health."

I feel happier and healthier, have more energy and sleep like a baby.  Most importantly, I feel stronger and more self-confident that I have ever felt in my life.  Going on holidays and buying a bikini turned into a fun experience, instead of being the traumatic exercise of the past.  I feel very proud of myself for reaching my goals and I must thank my husband and boys for their support and encouragement. 

My husband was the photographer for the final photos, with a camera borrowed from my father.  It was a virtual comedy hour with him having trouble working out the camera, me having trouble and laughing trying to pose and the boys rolling their eyes and not wanting to look.  My husband researched other ladies’ poses on the website for ideas, and came across Sue’s “Excitations” shots which of course he suggested we could try.  I told him I’d think about it after the next 12 weeks!  I have re-signed for another 2 x 6 week tailored training program, and will follow my original nutrition plan as it works for me.

Sonia’s Success Tips:
 

• Plan meals in advance and shop for a week so you don’t get caught out (the trouble with having teenage boys in the house is that you may have to hide some items – hiding things in vegetable crisper is good because they don’t look there!)
• Make sure you stick to the regular meals.  If you skip a meal you will get hungry and be more tempted to “pig out” on anything you see.
• Purchase a good quality low-carb protein powder.  I used MRM All Natural Whey in Vanilla or Dutch Chocolate.  This is made from all natural ingredients, is very versatile and handy to have when you may be craving something sweet.
• Plan ahead times for training sessions.  Try not to ever hesitate about whether you “feel like” going and just go.  You will always feel better for it once your there.  No one ever regrets going to the gym afterwards.
• If you can, buy some new clothes as you lose weight.  You will look and feel better and will notice the changes in your body.  A big confidence booster.   A spray tan also does wonders for the appearance of your new body in summer.

"Basically, my best advice is to just make the decision to go for it, and DO IT!"

Sonia’s Favourite Recipe - Moroccan Chicken Pizza
Try this pizza recipe for something different, yet still using healthy ingredients the whole family will enjoy.

Base
2 cups wholemeal self-raising flour
Approx. 4 tablespoons natural yoghurt (enough for a rollable dough consistency)
Roll out and place on a floured tray (can use baking paper underneath)

Mix Natural Yoghurt with 1-2 tsp minced garlic.  Spread a thin layer over top of the base.  Top with diced chicken breast that has been marinated with Moroccan seasoning (Masterfoods is best) and fried in non-stick pan (don’t overcook). Also top with plenty of diced onion and baby spinach leaves.  Other vegetables may be added if desired.  Before cooking, drizzle some more yoghurt/garlic mixture over top.  
    
Cook pizza in hot oven until base is crisp, being careful not to overcook topping. ENJOY!