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Jill's the fittest she's ever
been in her life and she's nearly 50....click on the pic to see her in action.
but it wasn't always so....here's her story.
"This is not my first rodeo! But it is my last"
Since I was about 14 I have either been on a diet, basking in the afterglow of a successful diet or contemplating my next diet. I have done pretty much all of the mainstream eating plans at some point in the last 30 odd years. I always got results in the short term but I was always glad when they were over and I could go back to ‘normal’ eating, and inevitably over time I would put most of the weight back on.
In my 30’s I went back to study, I worked full time, studied part time and because I wasn’t busy enough, decided I’d study for a fitness qualification as well, I loved group fitness classes so much I became a Group Fitness Instructor! Step, Powerbar, Boxing, TBT and even Zumba classes, I took them all, I also dabbled in some adventure racing. For a few years this maintained me but soon I had three jobs and after taking on a new full time job something had to go. I went from instructing at least 6 classes a week to just 2.
Then, at 41, I became pregnant with my daughter and I decided to give up instructing and almost all activity ( to be safe), I did take up water aerobics during my pregnancy! My weight crept up and up, I never really felt pregnant, just fat! My daughter was born very prematurely at 28 weeks in the Women’s hospital, she spent 3 weeks in the NICU and a further 5 weeks in special care in both Melbourne and Bendigo before being allowed to come home. I spent the best part of two months eating and ‘caffeinating’ in hospital cafeterias. This was the most emotional and stressful time in my life ( and I’ve a had few), by the time my gorgeous girl came home I was elated but I developed PND and I ended up at almost 93 kg, the heaviest I’ve ever been.
I joined Its Her Gym (Contours back then!) in about October 2012. It’s been a rollercoaster of weight down, weight up over the last 5 years. After a couple of years of failed IVF treatments and subsequent depression I was all over the place. We went on a trip to Hawaii and a month or so later I saw a video my husband took of my daughter and I doing some Tahitian dancing. I was so sad and embarrassed, I just felt like I’d had enough, I was tired of being miserable. My daughter was a year away from starting school and I wanted to get my endless weight issues sorted out before I had menopause to deal with as well.
I had a wedding coming up so that gave me the extra incentive to start my journey. I decided I wasn’t going to rush it, or starve myself. This was going to be a long term plan, I wanted to do things differently this time, I decided I didn’t want to focus on a weight/number, I wasn’t going to get caught up in the quick fix cycle I’ve done a dozen times before.
I started a Food Diary, and I committed to it 100% - no matter what I eat it goes in the diary. Once I got the diary habit in check I decided to sort out one meal a day, I chose breakfast. It was always the hardest for me because I habitually sleep in and then look for something quick ! I have mild IBS so some foods just do not play nicely with my tummy. I tried smoothies but I eventually locked in Overnight Oats (made with Sculpt) which I have during the week and then I have eggs on the weekend. I make 5 days of oats on Sunday so I only have to warm them and add fruit each morning!
By keeping an eye on my food diary I was able to see where I could make better choices. My husband cooks dinner the nights I’m at gym so he helped out by reducing my portion sizes and cooking a few healthy recipes we all love to eat. Portion controlled meals was another key. If a recipe says 4 serves, we make sure it’s divided up and I would always ensure I had only one serve. I always look for recipes or meals that include protein and are not heavy with carbohydrates.
Occasionally I would get sweet cravings after dinner ( at least once a month), so I drink lots of different herbal teas to satisfy the immediate urge and put some time in between the craving and the reaction to it. Sometimes if tea wasn’t enough I would have two squares of dark chocolate (Lindt Mint Intense is yummo)
I work full time and my husband is gone most mornings around 6am so I simply cannot get to the gym 5 days a week so I go 3 times a week. I try to make the most of those 3 visits though and spend between 75 and 120 minutes working out. I like to make sure I do both cardio and weight training every week and always try and push myself a little so I can improve. You only get out of your workout what you’re prepared to put in so if I don’t work hard I won’t get to where I want to be. If I’m not going forward, I’m going backwards or I’m going nowhere.
It’s been just over a year now since I really took control of my actions and my weight is down 19kgs. My fitness is probably the best it's ever been in my life. It was tough in the beginning but I knew if I stuck to my plan it would become easier. I have a couple of drinks here and there, we eat pizza occasionally for dinner and eat out regularly but I always get back on track.
I weigh myself once a week at the gym, whether the number is up or down doesn’t change my focus, if I’m sticking to my plan I know the results will come and I’m trying to create my new ‘normal’.
Menopause is stalking me big time so I can’t afford to drop the ball now. My aim is to be fit and healthy, be fabulous at 50 and not pass my perpetual ‘diet’ mentality on to my daughter. I’m still a work in progress, I’ve only got a little bit of time before I’m 50 and my daughter deserves the best mum I can be, I don’t want to let her down.
Sue had a quote written up in the gym recently, it said: ‘You only fail when you give up’. I’m determined I’m not going to fail this time around so I like to repeat this quote to myself often, especially when doing squat jumps and burpees!
Sue says - "Jill is another one of the wonderful women who have found their weight & fitness solution at IHG. We stick to our diet and training philosophies - we know they work. We provide an environment that allows real Bendigo women to find their best version of themselves. Nothing will work unless you are prepared to change your mindset and put in the work on the gym floor. Jill puts in - and she's an inspiration to many of the other members around her. She's always got a kind word or a smile for anyone who's struggling with their own commitment or motivation. She's on our standard One Body One Life Membership - less than $20 per week via direct debit."
IHG - REAL BENDIGO WOMEN, REAL RESULTS. ACTIVATE A FREE PASS AND ONE OF OUR PROFESSIONAL TRAINERS WILL MAKE A TIME THAT SUITS YOU FOR A FREE, "NO OBLIGATION TO JOIN" GOAL SETTING AND INTRODUCTORY SESSION.
