Samantha's Story - Fantastic Read!

During 2008 I found myself really struggling. In fact it would have been appropriate to call me a ‘wreck’. My life felt overwhelming and exhausting and I was no-longer coping. I was at the point of requiring medication for anxiety and depression.

I was a 37 year old mother of three young children (4,5 & 8 yrs).

We have no family and my husband works extremely long hours in our small business. I had returned to full time work (as a high school teacher) a few months earlier. I was also responsible for cleaning & running the house. I felt like I was failing at everything. I was giving every bit of energy at school ( controlling & teaching the students).

Some afternoons I would help at the business, then it was home with the kids to do homework, baths, dinner, lunches, wash, clean and prepare lessons for the next day. I was exhausted by the time I got home and would fall asleep if I dared to sit down. I was constantly cranky witth the kids, and was being a terrible mother.

The house was getting really messy and unorganized and I was forgetting everything (the kid’s school shoes, hats and even their schoolbags).

I was hating my life because I couldn’t see any way out of the exhaustion
 

It Was A Vicious Cycle 
 

I drank more coffee and energy drinks, missed more meals and became even worse. Late at night I would finally eat, and it was usually junk (chips, biscuits etc). It was a vicious cycle.

My clothes got progressively tighter, my energy progressively less and my moods progressively worse. I was a terrible role-model for my young children.

I knew I needed to change my diet and exercise, but I came up with so many reasons why I couldn’t; ‘too old’, ‘too busy’, ‘too tired’, ’I can’t fit in what I have to do now, how can I possibly do more?’

I had a treadmill that was only ever used as a clothes hanger. I felt such guilt every time I saw it
 

I'd Had Enough

In October I’d had enough and started to exercise, but had no real direction. Nor did I understand the appropriate way to eat. Then my husband read about Ideal Bodies Online in a fitness magazine. It sounded perfect for us, so we joined immediately and started the next week.

Making the commitment to a third party and having a tailored programme (for both food and exercise) was especially helpful for me

The change in eating patterns was hard at first because I wasn’t used to eating so much food. I was actually worried that I was going to gain weight and end up fatter. The exercise was gentle at first, which eased me in without too much discomfort. The results began immediately!

I was losing size after only 2 weeks. It was amazing and really spurred me on.

Before long I was easily able to eat all of the food and was in the training groove. I never felt hungry.

Midway through I was worried about results as my weight hadn’t changed much on the scales. Sue and Kristin were extremely supportive and encouraged me to look at physical changes rather than a number on the scales. They were right. I had lost size & just needed to have faith.
 

My Results Were Fantastic 
 

It paid off in the end. My results were fantastic; I’d lost 11cm from my waist & hips, and 8 cm from each thigh just to mention a bit! I was amazed!

Most importantly was the absolute change to my lifestyle. I am extremely organized and have an amazing amount of energy now. (I never seem to feel tired anymore).

I am a kind and patient mother, our house is extremely well organized and always spotless, and I have taken on extra roles and responsibility at school also.

On top of that, my husband and I have a vastly different relationship and I no-longer have the need for medication. I handle stress well now.
 

......My Life Would Never Have Changed 
 

Without Ideal Bodies Online, my life would never have changed, and I would have been robbed of this wonderful opportunity to have such an amazing life. I will never return to my old lifestyle. I crave clean food and my daily fix of exercise. These are my drugs !

Tips for Success:

1. Be organized- Plan meals and training ahead of time so that you’re never caught short.
2. Throw out your scales - They’re just an indicator and not a reliable marker of your success. Take note of how your clothes are fitting instead!
3. Don’t EVER give up - Have faith in Sue and her team. They really do have a fantastic formula for success, but it takes a full 12 weeks to achieve optimum results (not 8 or 10 weeks!)
4. Don’t listen to all of the negative people- I was told by many people how ridiculous I was being, that I didn’t need to lose weight, that I was too old to lose weight , that I had carried 3 kids so my body would never improve etc. How wrong they were!

My Favourite Recipe:

Strawberry Oats

• ¾ cup oats
• ½ cup low fat cottage cheese
• 1-2 tspn weight watchers strawberry jam
• 1 tbspn flaxseed oil 

Blend the cottage cheese, jam & flaxseed oil and place into container.

Cover the oats with a small amount of water and soak overnight.

Mix together and enjoy! Yummmmm!!!!

Thanks for reading.

Samantha