She's only got 6kgs to go and she wants the Tribe to keep her accountable...........

I am that person who has tried all those fad diets which would always get the weight moving, however I found I could never stick to it and I would finish off in a worse position than I started.

For a long while I was working shift work (starting work at midnight) which saw me pile on the kilos and being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome also gave me an excuse as to why I let myself go . Having your doctor tell you that it’s going to be a real struggle to lose any weight  classifies as a pretty good excuse to remain big right!? I choose not to listen and made it my goal to prove him wrong.

Everybody has a New Year’s Resolution and for so many years I said to myself “this year I am going to be skinny”.

It wasn’t until my new mind set of wanting to be fit and healthy rather than skinny came into play that I could feel things really taking shape. The beginning of 2016 saw many new changes and challenges for me. One being a big move from South Australia to Bendigo, which has so far proven to be one of my most positive and life changing moves that I have made.

I used this move as a chance at a new beginning.  I had to get my butt into gear and start playing a team sport again, I have always been a sporty person and loved playing both Netball and Basketball however I found that I was way too embarrassed to step foot into a new sporting club. I made myself believe I wouldn’t make the cut and the list of so many other excuses stopped me from even registering to play.

Another couple of months went by and I was doing nothing to change which was making me more miserable than ever.

Walking into It’s Her Gym was my turning point.

I walked into the gym at about 110kg - down from my starting weight of 115.2kg. I wasn’t judged. I was welcomed with open arms. I chose this gym as I needed something different from the conventional gyms such as Anytime Fitness or Snap - both of which I had tried in the past.

From that day forward I have made many connections not only with the trainers but with fellow gymmers who all together share the same ultimate goals. My physical strength has improved beyond what I ever  thought could be possible for me, however I also feel that my mental health and mindset on life has improved greatly. My head space has always been very up and down, however I now use exercise as an escape for my overactive brain.  

Before joining the gym I could only really classify myself as lazy, however now attending the gym has become a part of my daily routine. It’s something that I look very much forward to and I find myself lost when I’m not able to attend.  I even hate the rest days that my trainers make me take.  I feel that my weightloss has opened up many new and exciting opportunities for me as I now have the confidence to participate in many new things. For instance just recently I took part in Mudderella which was an amazing and exhilarating experience which 6 months ago was something that I wouldn’t have even considered.

I still lack motivation on the odd occasion (as we all do!)  so I found having a trainer on the floor to really motivate me  and push me is my saving grace. The amount of times I was told to “keep going, push harder, and lift heavier”  has  kept me going.

As for my diet, at the beginning I was so strict with myself - cutting out almost everything and sticking to the Idiot Proof Diet advertised at gym which I guarantee is 100% effective and gives you the boundaries you need at the very start.  It gives you some very motivating results to get you started.  After a while, I’ve learnt so much about other foods from Aggy and Sue – they really know their stuff. I have found that you can really make healthy food exciting. Which before I felt was impossible. This diet also allows me to slip up once or twice without suffering too much on the scales. The only advice I can give is that you need to listen to your body. If you need a rest day take it. If you need a night out - GO and ENJOY it. If you need a cheat meal take it, but come the next day, work harder because you need to make every opportunity count. I recently found a quote that really resonates with me and my weightloss journey and that is “ Your mind will quit 100 times before your body ever does, so feel the pain and do it again. Hard work is always worth it.”

PS: I HAVE 6KG TO LOSE TO REACH MY GOAL WEIGHT WHICH WILL MAKE 37 KGS IN ALL THAT I'VE LOST – THE TRIBE AND MY TRAINERS WILL KEEP ME ACCOUNTABLE….AND NOW, YOU’VE READ IT TOO SO I GUESS I JUST HAVE TO FINISH WHAT I STARTED.