The Journey to find me

For years I have read the fitness magazines with the success stories and dreamt of having that commitment and discipline to complete a 12 week challenge.

Instead I spent the next 5 years yo-yo dieting with no sustainable results.

It wasn’t until after having my daughter in 2006 that I noticed how much my body shape had changed and where as in the past I was able to get away with “carrying my weight well” it was really obvious now that I had lost any sort of athletic shape about me and was just overweight. Things went down hill in 2007, I had just returned to work from maternity leave and was busy trying to find a balance between being a mum and working full time.

I also needed to have several operations, each putting a stop to any hopes of exercising for months at a time.

Too Embarrassed To Socialise

I just felt tired all the time. I would get home from work and have no energy to play with my daughter and I hated that I was a bad example for her.

I had stopped socialising with friends because I felt really self conscious in my clothes and embarrassed with how I looked. I couldn’t stand being the overweight person I saw in the mirror any more.

So when 2008 came around I was really ready to do something about my weight but I knew that I would need some help.

That’s when I contacted Sue Heintze from Ideal Bodies Online.

I chose to do a full support program which meant I had a mentor I could email and help keep me focused when in the past I would have given up. I can’t thank Sue’s team enough for their help and what they’ve taught me. I have to especially thank my Mentor Jodie Arnold and my Feedback Coach Kristin Gleeson for their support and words of wisdom

The Importance of Planning Ahead

Half way through the challenge I really struggled, my husband was going away with work for several months. So this meant that my exercise timings had to change and time was very precious to me. I really learnt just how important planning ahead is.

Knowing what meals you’re going to have days in advance and freezing extra meals for later in the week. I started carrying a protein bar in my hand bag so that I didn’t get stuck hungry and not have a healthy alternative to eat.

At the beginning of my 12 weeks I thought this challenge was all about losing physical weight, I had no idea the emotional baggage I would have to address and learn from to discover that this is a journey about changing the inside as well as the outside.

It's A Life Changed 

I now know that it’s a life change and these 12 weeks is just a bench mark I’ve set myself now to move forward from. I will continue to set goals and strive to reach them from here on, because I’ve learnt that I do have the potential and determination to achieve them.

The 12 week challenge was a lot of hard work but every early morning workout was worth it.

There were days when I didn’t perfectly stick to my nutrition plan, but not using that as an excuse to give up and getting back up that next day to keep training towards your goals is what it’s all about. 

Be Ready To Change Your Life 

To anyone considering doing the 12 Week Challenge I would say go for it and be ready to change your life!

Tips:

• Have good reasons set out for wanting to complete a 12 week challenge, you’ll rely on them to keep you focused and stop you snoozing that alarm in the morning.
• Get yourself a good support network. When it gets tough it helps to have someone to encourage you and remind you it’s all worth it.
• Plan ahead, know what your meals are going to be for the next day. So you have no excuse for straying from your diet.
• Get an MP3 player and fill it with what ever type of music motivates you.

My Favourite Recipe

Turkey Rissoles

500g Turkey Mince
1 egg
1 cup grated red capsicum
1 cup grated zucchini
1 cup chopped baby spinach
1 Tbl reduced salt soy sauce
1 Tbl sweet chilli sauce
1 tsp garlic

Method:
Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl, separate and role into small patties. Then cook in frying pan with small amount of olive oil spray.

Once cooked sit on paper towel to absorb any excess oil or fat.

Amanda was announced as a winner of the monthly Body Blitz award, offered by Women's Health & Fitness magazine.  You can view her story and more photos, here (please note her stats and workout routine are incorrectly listed in this article).  Amanda lost over 12kg in 12 weeks:

Amanda Laurie - Body Blitz winner