Lost 11.3kg and 43cm

I was inspired to join Healthies after seeing a friend’s transformation (she’s also a member!). She looked amazing!! I was looking for somewhere that would incorporate diet as well as exercise but in a non-threatening way.  I had joined gyms in the past only to lose interest.

In my 30’s things changed for me in a big way. Even though my biggest and happiest milestones were achieved, like getting married and having 2 beautiful children, anxiety and panic attacks reared their ugly heads. In my 20’s I was a Flamenco Dancer and Instructor and was a healthy weight, however after having children and dealing with my anxieties, my dancing was put on hold, my eating was more frequent and my portion sizes were too much.  Plus, convenient take-away foods made more of an appearance than ever before.  I became a regular at Cibo and although I’ve never liked coffee, I would have Soy Chai Lattes with a savoury pastry almost 3 times a week.  I was a comfort eater. Even as a young adult still living at home, I would ring mum and ask what was for dinner so I had something to look forward to; my next meal was always on my mind.  Food made me feel good.

My anxiety is something I live with and manage, and the best thing for it is a healthy diet and exercise, so making the decision to join was more about my well being and mental health as well as losing some weight. I hated looking at myself in the mirror, I felt ugly, and frumpy, my clothes didn’t look good and if I tried clothes on in change rooms, I would feel like crying at the look of my body. My self-image was at a real low.

On the day I joined Healthy Inspirations, I went home very excited and was pumped to lose weight, I wanted to do everything right and do it 100%, however soon after I had my dinner I freaked out!! I had a panic attack, I felt strange, I felt like I had bit off more than I could chew (excuse the pun).  I felt overwhelmed by the whole program and having to think and record what I was eating was daunting. It was frightening to have to change and I was letting go of a crutch that made me happy, or so I thought.

The next day I went in to see Coach Kerry and I told her how I felt and that I was experiencing panic, and I cried.  She simply put her arm around me and said, “One step at a time”.  She made me feel like it wasn’t the end of the world and that I didn’t have to be perfect at it.  I got through the next day and the next day and the day after that, and at my first weigh in a week later I had lost 2.2kgs.

I have lost 11.3kgs, 43cms & 16.74% of my body weight! I was motivated and excited and today I feel stronger for persisting and sticking to it. It has become my new way of life. I feel like I’ve done my body a favour and I’m taking responsibility for looking after it, and now I look in the mirror and like what I see as well as who I’ve become and what I’ve achieved. My husband is proud of me and I know I’m being a good role model for my children.

I’m feeling good!!