Nicki Trotter

I cannot pinpoint the exact moment when I decided enough was enough. I was fed up with the false promises I kept making to myself that this time I would stick to the plan. That this time I really would become fit and healthy and keep my weight off, this time it would be different. After all I had been making these promises to myself for over 30 years.

I had accumulated so much information over the years and tried so many diets, quick fix pills and promises, not always without success, but inevitably it was unsustainable, bad habits crept back in and so did the weight. I have pretty much read every book on the subject from cover to cover. I had so much information swirling around my head I was overwhelmed, and never really knew which method to follow, calorie counting, low carb meal replacements, high protein?? It meant I was going around in circles, getting nowhere fast.

"I turned 50 this year and once again promised myself this was the year I would change."

We had planned on a special holiday to celebrate my birthday. You'd think that this would have been the spark to ignite my enthusiasm; needless to say this didn't happen. I had let myself down yet again. I did enjoy my holiday, but it was overshadowed by feelings of regret and disappointment in myself for failing to stick to a diet before such a special holiday. Here I was 50 years old feeling very middle aged and very overweight. Was this how I wanted to feel for the rest of my life? Was I really going to continue with this yo-yo lifestyle which had plagued me for so many years?

What was going to make my habits change so that I could keep a healthy weight range and rid myself of this constant battle with my weight?

I was chatting to my daughter when we returned home from holiday. Reliving all the wonderful things we had done and the places we had visited. I began to complain about how awful I felt having put on weight whilst we were away, this was on top of already being at one of my heaviest weights before we had even left. I could hardly bear to look at any of the photos; I hated what I saw staring back at me.

She mentioned that she had joined Ideal Bodies Online, and that I should consider doing the same. I checked out the website, and it all looked very promising, but was this really for me?

I started looking through some of the success stories, with the before and after photographs and was becoming more and more interested in what they had to say. I think the real "light-bulb moment" was seeing Sharna Haller’s story. She had embarked on her fitness journey in 2008. This was the year that I had last lost weight successfully. I then went on to see that she had not only lost weight, but after her 12 weeks had continued on with her quest and had achieved amazing results with her bodybuilding. I began to think what I could have achieved if, like Sharna, I had kept up with my fitness routine instead of settling back into my bad habits. I began to wonder if it really was possible for me to achieve my goals of a healthy happy lifestyle, as she had. It was all up to me!

I soon signed up with Ideal Bodies Online.

I needed some guidelines as to how to achieve my goals, and just as importantly how to maintain this lifestyle once and for all. I needed structure and guidance. It was all provided for me with IBO, I now had a Tailored Program suited to my lifestyle and current fitness level. Sharna became my coach during these next 12 weeks, there to answer any questions I had.

I knew that I had a few events coming up during my proposed 12 weeks that might provide me with some challenges but I didn't want to use these as an excuse to put off my new lifestyle, it was now or never!

My program included regular meals every 2-3 hours and alternate cardio and weight training days. I can honestly say I was not hungry in the least, and in fact began to really taste my food again, enjoying all the different flavours and textures. I did not feel deprived and really enjoyed experimenting with herbs and spices in all my meals.

My first hurdle was at the end of week one! We had a theatre restaurant event to attend which had a set menu. I felt in control as I planned my day. I was determined not to go to the event feeling really hungry, and therefore tempted to eat everything put in front of me. I had eaten my meals and snacks as planned and this meant I could happily refrain from eating bread rolls galore whilst waiting for my meal to arrive. The meal was simple meat and veg - great. Now I just had to tackle dessert. I had a taste of my mousse, nice, but I could happily stop at one mouthful and enjoyed the fruit garnish from both my plate and that from my husband’s chocolate cake!!!

The next day I felt a great sense of achievement - I had been out for an evening, stuck to my plan and just as importantly had a great time with my friends – it was possible to stick to plan and not feel too deprived!

My husband was great support and decided to join me in my campaign. It was much easier to stick to plan when we were eating the same meals. He just added extra carbs and protein with his meal. He joined me in my fitness routine also, and we set up a gym in our garage so there were no excuses for not carrying out our exercise. Not that we didn't try and make excuses on occasions after a particularly busy day at work, but luckily we spurred each other on, and very rarely missed a session.

My next challenge was a 10-day trip to New Zealand at the end of week 6. Although the trip was self-catering, we did not always have access to kitchen facilities, so many of our meals were eaten out. I also did not have access to a gym each day, but I tried to adapt my program to the facilities at hand.

Once again I arrived home with a great sense of achievement - I had managed to go away on holiday and stick to program as best I could. Not always able to stick to the program 100% but I was not going to beat myself up about something I could not control. I was learning that life does not always go according to plan, it will often put little hurdles and obstacles in our way to try and throw us off balance, but I was learning that the answer is to do the best I can at the time, and then get straight back on plan. I may not have lost weight whilst away, but I had not put on any weight either!!

My last hurdle was at the end of week 11. We had arranged a weekend away involving a wonderful hotel with full gourmet breakfast each morning!!! We also ate out each evening. I feel my success with this weekend was planning.

I planned my route around the buffet breakfast so that I didn't wander past those items I knew would be tempting, the Danish pastries and muffins!! Instead I found great pleasure in making up my carbohydrate/protein breakfasts with the many fresh foods available.

Tea was organised around menus which offered steak, chicken or fish with sauces on the side, and an extra serve of veggies so that the chips on the plate were not as tempting, as all those veggies were so filling.

Another challenge during the 12 weeks was that I suffer with some Arthritis in my knees and ankles so on some of my cardio days I found these areas really played up. I chose to use the rower or bike on these occasions to minimise the impact on my joints. I also sometimes found holding onto hand weights caused my hands to ache, as I also suffer from rheumatism in my hands at times and again I had to adapt my program on such days.

I had decided that I was not going to dwell on things I could not control, whether it might be my aches and pains, or any little hurdles that I had to overcome with my food. I was learning that it was possible to slip up every now and again, but this did not mean I had failed. It was a little hiccup in my lifetime journey, I just had to refocus and get back on track the next day. Perhaps it was actually starting to sink in; this was a lifestyle change, not just a quick fix.

After 12 weeks I had lost 12kg, and had dropped my fat percentage by 10%. Not only that, I was feeling full of energy. My middle aged spread had also disappeared, and I felt great!

These 12 weeks have been an awakening for me. I am now in control and am not letting food control my life. If I have a ‘not so perfect’ day, then that's ok, I just work a little harder the next day, but I have learnt not to dwell on the past and to face each day as if I were day 1 of my challenge.

I am not doing this challenge for a specific event or date as I had done in the past, but am looking ahead to a fitter future and healthy lifestyle which I now feel able to maintain.

I feel so much fitter and healthier; I am waking up each morning for my early morning power walk with enthusiasm, as I know what a great sense of achievement I feel at having carried out my cardio for the day by 6.30am!!! Gone are the days of rolling over and going back to sleep when the alarm goes off as I know how full of regret I will be for the rest of the day.

I have also been walking home the 4kms from work each day. I use this as my wind down time and have begun to look forward to this extra bit of "me" time. I know that this exercise is very sustainable as it is now incorporated into my daily routine.

My future goals are to reduce my body fat further, and to continue to work on my running so that I can look at entering a 5 or 10km run next year. I have a holiday with friends organised for April next year, and a trip back to visit family in the UK in August. I am determined that these trips are going to be completely without regret.

"This is my new lifestyle, the New me, and I'm enjoying every moment."

Nicki’s Success Tips:

Don't dwell on slip-ups, in the big picture these are just little hiccups, just try and get back on track straight away!
Get organised!!! Plan the next day’s meals and exercise plan so you don't get caught out.
Picture yourself wearing a particular outfit or going to a particular event. Imagine what you'll be wearing and how great you'll be feeling when you achieve your goal.
Keep challenging yourself. Whether it is running that extra little bit each day, or setting new sites and goals to keep motivated.
Don't be impatient, it may take time but it is certainly worth the wait!!

Nicki’s Favourite recipe:

Mixed salad greens

Small tin of tuna in spring water.
Cottage cheese
Avocado.
Fat free salad dressing

Mix together the Tuna, cottage cheese and avocado. Add Fat free dressing to give a soft consistency. Add this to salad greens and toss together. Season to taste.