Added 14.02.12

I had known about Ideal Bodies Online for many years and had always wanted to do a program with them, but having had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for the past 8 years I always had this mindset of: "it was all or nothing.” Because I knew that my body couldn't tolerate that kind of exercise yet, I would just give up. Then about 5 months ago I had a severe relapse of CFS after doing some Pilates and I knew that I had to change the way I thought about dealing with my CFS, so I emailed Kristin from IBO and she suggested a nutrition only program with support and my own personal goal of increasing my walks from 3 x per week to 5.

I knew that if this was going to work for me I would have to be very positive and I went into the program with a very different mindset. My goal was to just do the best I could from a diet point of view and see what happened. I also adopted one of Sue's sayings about being consistent and patient and always had this in the back of my mind.

The start of my 12 weeks was an anxious one for me trying to absorb all the new information. I thought to myself, “how am I going to do this when I have a family with 3 young children to care for.” Some days the physical fatigue had me spending a lot of time flat on my back! Kristin and my feedback coach Sharna would always happily email me back even when I felt sure that I was being a pain and that the questions I had were just plain silly!! I also used the member’s forum online and had an email buddy which was great support as well.

When the nutrition plan came I remember having this actual fear of "how can I eat so much when I am not even training??"  But I learnt so much and the input from Sharna was so valuable in helping me.  The plan that was written for me was easy to follow and really helped with my food cravings which improved greatly over the 12 weeks.

My fatigue levels over the 12 weeks started out very poor, and I found this super frustrating.  Sharna was very encouraging and advised me to rest and listen to my body.  It wasn't until week 10 that I was able to increase my walking to 4 x a week and have been able to maintain this so far, so my next goal will be to increase this to 5 x per week.

I started out at 70.4 kg and finished at 63.2 and lost a total of 52.3cm overall, so I was really happy with my achievement.  Now I plan to continue on with my program to lose a little bit more.

This is definitely a lifestyle plan for me and I would encourage anyone looking at improving their lifestyle and diet to go ahead - they are invaluable!!

 

Added 21.01.12

If I do need a new program in the future, Ideal Bodies Online will be my first port of call. It remains one of the most worthwhile and effective endeavours I have ever undertaken, including all my endeavours in life which were not fitness-related. I thought I would let you all at IBO know that I'm STILL happier now with my physique than I've ever been, even all these months after finishing the program, and after plateauing... one more happy person for your potential customers to see!!

Added 19.12.11

Hi Deb,
 
I can't believe my 12 weeks is up!! This has been such a positive and rewarding experience for me and I can't thank you enough! I didn't ever think that I'd get so much out of a 'eating and exercise' plan!

I won't say it's been easy because it hasn't. There have been many ups and downs. Days when I thought that I wouldn't make it, when I thought because I had slipped up that it was all over, when I missed a workout or ate the wrong thing or when someone told me that I should just accept that I was getting older and the 'middle aged spread' was inevitable; times when my body felt so sluggish and bloated that I didn't think I could walk let alone run; times I was so sore that I thought I had done permanent damage to my butt; times when I was so down and asked myself 'why me, why do I have to do this just to stay in shape?’ Well the truth is, because I want to!!! I want to be fit and healthy again, I want to feel good about my body, I want to be able to wear the clothes in my cupboard and not buy bigger ones, I want to be able to go and do a day’s work and not be so knocked up that I can't move, I want to have my balance on a horse and not be hanging out of my saddle!! All these things are so possible for me now.

My journey over these 12 weeks has not been text book, I'm the first to admit that and I feel that my biggest accomplishment has been continuing on through the symptoms of menopause! I was warned by Sue at the start when I made my first enquiry that going through menopause might make it a little harder to lose weight, and it probably has a bit. However I really feel that my healthy eating and regular exercise have helped a lot with my symptoms... I know I certainly sleep a lot better! I feel like the old me again! This is a stage in my life that all of us must go through and I now feel that I have the strength to tackle it head on!

I know that I haven't got the body I had in my 20's & 30's but it’s a hell of a lot better than a lot of women I know in their 20's & 30's! And the best thing is it’s still a work in progress!! Thanks to IBO I have found a plan I can stick to for the rest of my life, especially the eating plan. It is not a diet that one 'goes on' and then 'goes off'. This is something that I can do forever.
 
I have also learned so much about eating, exercise and my body or how these two things affect my body!

That's about all I can tell you except to say I feel the best I have in years and it is thanks to you and IBO. I will recommend your programs to anyone who is looking for help. If I can do this program out in the sticks, on my own, with an old set of free weights and 6 dogs for training partners, then anyone can!! I feel empowered by my newfound knowledge and knowing that, I and I alone, can make positive changes.

Thank you.
 

Added 13.12.11

Hi Maxine,

Well, I have made it to week 4 and I feel fantastic! I have been a yo yo dieter for years. Always having to loose the 10kg, but I have to say I feel really good on this program. I have alot of energy and I am feeling very satisfied. I am already sleeping better, I have less aches and pains. I am looking forward to the next 4 weeks.

Trish

Added 14.11.11

I can finally say I can feel and notice the difference.  Although it was only six weeks, I feel so empowered now and have a better grasp on what food I eat and when.  I didn't realise how off track I was - so thank YOU for helping me.  I honestly believe the second half of my programme was the best - everything started to click and fall in to place and you are a credit to that!  

Sharna, it has been an absolute pleasure working with you.  Losing weight and facing the awful truths is tough and humiliating; but your encouragement and support has been nothing short of amazing and appreciated.  In the past I felt discouraged for eating the wrong thing, or missing a training session; but you've helped me see this in a new light and a mere trip as opposed to a complete crash.  I now understand this is a journey, an investment in my long term health and it's all about picking myself up and moving forward.

A one-off, as you say is fine and actually increased my awareness and provides incentive.

I am SO inspired by your work and IBO in general; and like everyone who experiences this "high on health" the notion of adopting these lifestyle changes permanently is really exciting.  I've even considered the possibility of a career change, working more in this industry.  It is SO addictive and having the chance to share that with others is even more exciting!

Sharna, I hope you have a great week and send you ALL my thanks!  You've done more than you realise, especially last week with my break-up.  It was and still is tough but you got me through and taught me to focus on myself.  

You are an asset to IBO!

Gillian

Added 14.11.11

A big thank you Sharna. You were fundamental in getting me started on this journey and now the rest is up to me.

There have been ups and downs, but I have learned that consistency, just doing, is the key but also that in life stuff just happens.

I feel much more confident about being able to succeed, I am no longer a slave to the scales but go more on my measurements and how I am feeling, which is great.

Meegan

Added 17.09.11

Hi Kristin,
 
I've been meaning to email you and thank for such a great program!  
 
I've found it so easy to understand and stick to the nutrition program.
 
The training program has given me more results in two weeks than the whole seven years I've been going to the gym. I used to mainly stick to using the weight machines and I always did cardio before I did weights. Now with doing more free weights and doing my cardio after my weights session I can really feel my workouts are far more effective!!
 
I have weighed myself and have already lost three kilos but I haven't done my measurements yet, I think I'll wait another week before doing them. I'll let you know how I go with my measurement once I've done them.
 
Thanks again!!
 
Julie

Added 3.09.11

Thank you Leisl for all your support and encouragement.  I have been a complete PAIN over the past 12 weeks and I apologise to you for that!  Through all my whinging and break-downs you have been nothing but supportive.  So thank you so much.
 
Also to Kristin for getting me started on the right foot and her words of encouragement throughout the program.  I like how you make me feel I can do anything.
 
You are both a credit to your profession; enthusiastic, informative and most importantly....REAL people with caring natures.  This always goes a long way in my mind.

So thank you IBO so much.
 
With great gratitude,
 
Jo

Added 3.09.11

Thanks very much, I'm stoked with how it all went. The online program suits me perfectly with working away as I have something solid to follow each week compared to just seeing a trainer 3 tmes a week while back home on break. Thank you for all your help with the program, I really enjoyed it! I'll be talking to you again soon no doubt :)

Added 4.07.11

I would like to say thank you so much for all your support, advice and quick responses to my questions etc. I have enjoyed my training program and have gotten into a routine with the nutrition and drinking water.

At the beginning of the year when I read the article on Oxygen mag Feb/March issue: "Why don't I look like that?" I thought, that's me. The advice was to set your goal, get advice and take and follow the advice and then I saw your success story and your before photos looked similar to me. That's when I researched into Ideal Bodies Online.

My first thoughts were, 'how can you help when you haven't seen the person or talked to them', and then I thought you must have formulas and plans in place that work as it's your job, it's what you specialise in. So I thought I'll give it a go... I've been impressed with everything! Very professional service! And I think it also helps that you have been through the process yourself and know how it feels.

It's kind of weird reporting to the computer, pressing send to a person you don't know, but you get used to it and it's been a great experience and I'm looking forward to the next journey.

Added 1.07.11

I am back into a lot of my old clothes and work uniforms, which is really exciting and I have my waist and hips back where they belong.  My strength has increased so much since I started.  I had some spider veins turn up almost overnight with my last baby and they are almost invisible now and my cellulite has really diminished, all the circulation in my legs feels great.

I loved the new program Sharna did, it is still a lot of variety for me to do at home, which is where I used to fail because I would get sick of doing the same old stuff in the shed on my own. Once I see results I am really driven to keep going.
 
Ideal Bodies Online is such a great thing for those at home, it really works.