I have always known the benefits of regular exercise and had always done some form of exercise to keep the mind and body in shape, but over the past couple of years a couple of kilos crept on and a couple more and so on. Before I knew, it 10 kilos had found their way to my lethargic body. I tried everything to lose them but what used to keep me in shape no longer was working. I really started to think “this must be what I’m going to be from now on.” My clothes were getting firmer and firmer. I was tired all the time, dragging myself out of bed for a jog only to return feeling more exhausted. My energy levels were at an all time low. I started to become a person I didn’t think I’d end up being.

I barely ate anything all day and by 3pm, I’d be starving. So while I made my children something to eat, I’d have a handful of this and a mouthful of that, thinking I wasn’t doing any harm. You’d be surprised how much I can actually fit in my small hands!

I have always read ‘Women’s Health and Fitness’ magazine, and the “Body Blitzers” have always inspired me to give it a go.  I’d start off well, but would soon give in. The thing was, I needed help to tell me what to eat and how much, and how to train. I soon found Sue Heintze from Ideal Bodies Online and I immediately signed up – I felt so excited.
Sharleen was my feedback coach for the 12 weeks – Sue and Sharleen did all the thinking and planning for me. All was left for me to do was to follow the plan! I remember thinking ‘5 meals a day, how am I ever going to eat that much.’  Sue and Sharleen soon became my new best friends. Having their knowledge and enthusiasm behind me gave me the confidence knowing I was doing the right thing and I was going to make a difference. But it wasn’t until I saw the before photos that I realised how bad I actually did look.

My turning point was early in week 3.  A chocolate ad came on television and my mouth just watered. As I sat there watching my husband and my boys chomping away on chocolate I thought NO!  I want to get rid of these bad eating habits. When I woke up the next day I had lost a kilo so I was pretty proud of myself. 

Having two boys, I am always baking something. I didn’t stop having treat type foods around the home, but I never strayed. In the beginning the things I didn’t like, like oats for breakfast and my 40 minute moderate cardio session, soon became my favourites. I reckon our bodies are like spoilt children - if you let it get everything it wants, it ends up being a wreck!  If you give in all the time, you’re only disappointing yourself. I thought ‘the 12 weeks are going to pass anyway, what have I got to lose? Hey, I may even form some good habits along the way’. And that I certainly did.  There have been challenges, but when you accomplish something that’s important to you, you get a real sense of inner strength.

We are a really busy family. We have two boys, own two businesses and in between motorbike riding and waterskiing, we are always doing something. The key was to always be organised with my meals and my training.  It takes 12 weeks to see results not 4, 6 or 8. My self esteem, confidence and energy are back! I have really enjoyed the challenge and am learning more about myself as a person. I now know I am capable of achieving anything I desire. So if I could inspire any busy women especially Mums, to go ahead with a 12 week Challenge, I would feel very proud and honoured to do so. You can do it too!

            Before           After
Height 154cm
Weight 62kg              52kg
Chest 94cm                89cm
Waist 76cm                65cm
Hips 94cm                  83cm  
Thigh 57cm                51cm
Knee 36.5cm             33cm
Calf 34.5cm               32cm
Bicep 29cm                25 ½cm - Flexed 27cm

Tips
• Be organised
• Keep a diary, write what food you’ve eaten and what exercise you’ve completed
• Plan your exercise routine, then there’s no excuse .You know what you’re doing on what day.
• Prepare meals the night before
• Drink heaps of water
• Believe in yourself    

My favourite meals were:

• Tuna and a green salad with a mix of balsamic vinegar and seeded mustard.
  Lean Beef Strips with stir fry vegetables and soy sauce and a sprinkle of Splenda.
• Chicken Mince Patties as per Sue’s recipe documents, served with low fat Tzatziki  Dip.
• Here's Michelle after her 2nd pogram with Ideal Bodies Online - she's half the person she was!
•