Stats Before After Height 168cm 168cm Calves 39cm 34cm Weight 69kg 60kg Arms 29.5cm 27.5cm Chest 92cm 88cm Waist 82cm 78cm Thighs 99.5cm 55cm Hips 87.5cm 86cm

I was always a slim girl growing up and never had a weight problem, but after two children, three-year-old Kaela and one-year-old Isaac, I just couldn’t get the last 10 kilos off.

It’s definitely not their fault. I just gave in to all the morning teas that mothers seem to have and my disciplined ways started to give in more than ever.
I was starting to accept this larger body. Not that I liked it, but I just didn’t want to be miserable. I didn’t want to be so caught up in myself because I knew there were other people worse off than me. But it was like I was living in someone else’s body.

Before I joined the challenge I was going to the gym and seeing personal trainer, Glen, once a week. I thought I was doing okay but I kept looking at the mirror and just couldn’t recognise the girl looking back at me.

Then George, the owner of Fitness Express, Shellharbour, came up with a 12-week Challenge and it was exactly what I needed to get focussed properly. I had also wanted to enter the BodyBlitz comp in the past and knew this was my chance.
The last 12 weeks have been the start of a wonderful journey both physically and spiritually. As I started getting into the challenge I could feel myself becoming more motivated.

I also began enjoying my new-found self-confidence. Previously, I hated going to the gym when all the muscular guys were there, but I had to train when I could. I prefer to train early mornings so if the muscular guys were there, well, I knew I just had to train too.

Looking back, I guess I just grew more assertive and now I know they are just guys working out like the rest of us. A few of them actually commented on how hard I was training!

As the challenge moved into week four my weight started to shift quite quickly in the right direction and it was a great motivator. I started increasing my cardio as well.

I love weights but I knew I had to do more cardio so I started doing hill runs on Tuesday mornings with a great bunch of ladies.

Four kilos soon became seven kilos and then I hit the dreadful plateau. I was eating very cleanly and didn’t even have much on my cheat days (I had a cheat day every Sunday). So I had to increase the cardio again… enter the Stairmaster.

I did a lot of praying and thinking on that machine.
My cousin and friend have been battling cancer so during the challenge I was also able to use their illness to motivate me to go out there and use all the energy I can for them. They are both amazing and fit ladies that I admire greatly.

I don’t like to put myself first and I do sometimes think I am being selfish for wanting a good body, but I just feel so much better when I am healthy and look good! I thank God for this wonderful and amazing body he has given to me. We should look after it for the gift it is.

I feel so fit and strong at the moment and coming up to 40 next year I intend to keep on challenging myself.
I’ve learnt this lifestyle is all about choices. Keep focussed and don’t listen to the negative people out there. It is about wisdom looking after yourself and not about being selfish. Stop the excuses and enjoy the endorphin rush – it’s awesome!

My husband definitely loves the new me and I want to thank him for all his wonderful love, patience and support.