Coming from a background of sport and fitness, and coaching martial arts for a number of years, it was to my disappointment that I had become what I had feared most…a fat, frumpy, unfit and debilitated thirty-something.

Initially, my problems started when I injured my lower back (initially from incorrect lifting technique), after a period of inactivity.  My problems snowballed from there.  Other parts of my body began to weaken, as more pressure was placed on my body, since my back wasn’t strong enough to take on the load.  The final crunch came when, after a difficult caesarian birth, and putting on 20kg in the last few weeks of pregnancy, I ballooned to 95kg (due to fluid retention).  I couldn’t see my knees or ankles, and could only walk a few metres at a time with the aid of a walker.  I truly felt ‘old’ and had trouble bending over or leaning, and taking care of my baby.  I even had to have a step to get into the shower, and an old person’s chair, because I couldn’t shower myself without sitting down.  I had also grown disillusioned as I realized I was no longer that fit, strong, martial artist who once had no problems with high kicks and jumps, and now couldn’t even lift her foot off the ground. 

I have always led by example, and my wish was to once again be a person that people looked up to.  I wanted to be that person for my daughter – a living example of health and happiness.  I wanted to be able to play with her, and to teach her about sport and martial arts.  And most of all, I wanted her to be proud to say that I was her mother, and someone whom she looked up to and respected.  I also wanted my husband to look at me and have the respect for me that he had when we were first going out together.

So, after seeing Sue and Carolyn on Today Tonight, getting onto the Ideal Bodies Online website, and annoying Sue with continuous questions, it was time to make a decision.  Initially, I baulked because I had to spend money, but then I realized it was a small price to pay if I could gain back my health, my life and my confidence.  It was also time to be honest with myself – what I had tried so far hadn’t worked, so I needed to change what I was doing if I wanted better results.  That saying kept coming into my head….”The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result”.

After completing the Questionnaire, I was rather impressed at the lengths that Ideal Bodies Online went to, to ensure they knew everything about who I was, and what I really wanted – not just in terms of what weight I wanted to achieve, but the person I wanted to be.

The results I have achieved through the help of Ideal Bodies Online, is nothing short of life changing.  The support I have received from Sue, Shelly, Kristin (and Carolyn) has been fantastic, and the added support of other people on a similar journey, via the Ideal Bodies Online forum, has been phenomenal.  Not to mention, the learning I’ve received through the member's Library, and the sharing of information.

My total weight loss over two, Full-support, 12-week programs was 15.6kg, and I now weigh a healthy 56kg.   It may not seem like a lot, but I am amazed at how my body-shape has changed.  I am leaner now at 40 than I was at 20.  I have achieved my goal of being ‘Fit-and-Fab-at-40’, with the added help of Ideal Bodies Online.

I have now regained my confidence, health and fitness, and have great plans for my future.  Opportunities abound, and life is once again exciting and full of wonder at what lies ahead.