After more failed diet attempts than I could count, and growing weary of the narrative, “I don’t have enough time to exercise and prepare healthy meals,” I decided to sign up for the 9-week Body Breakthrough Challenge at Vision Personal Training. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, and that I have the power to change my mindset and relationship with food.
My Vision personal trainer, Chris Wilde, played a huge role in my success and was there every day to keep me honest and on track. Two months out from starting the challenge, Chris was helping me prepare mentally. He would prompt me with questions about what I could do differently in my life, at the studio, and with my nutrition, to get the best results possible. Chris had me set a series of personal goals for each week throughout the entire challenge. As each week went by, we reviewed my goals and then made new ones.
I started a diary on the first day of the Body Breakthrough Challenge, and wrote in it every day over the nine weeks. The diary kept me accountable and gave me a great sense of accomplishment, as I recorded my daily exercise, food intake, thoughts and weight.
I also wrote down my own secret goal of where I wanted to be by the end of the nine weeks, the end of 2018 and the end of 2019.
One of the biggest lessons I learnt in the Body Breakthrough Challenge was the importance of goal setting. The act of setting and envisioning short and long term goals is so effective in overcoming mental barriers and breaking old habits.
The biggest habit to break was thinking about preparing food in advance. I started meal prepping, and ensured raw food and a serving of green vegetables were included in at least three meals or snacks per day.
My personal trainer Chris knew nutrition was the biggest challenge for me, and offered me invaluable advice and educated me on nutrition along the way. The first area Chris instructed me to focus on was portion control. Then I was to make sure each meal consisted of a lean source of protein, vegetables, a healthy source of complex carbohydrates and healthy fats.
As I was struggling with my nutrition and exercise on the weekends, Chris suggested starting my week on a Saturday! Doing this has proved super useful and helped me maintain my mindset over the weekend. It did take me until nearly the end of the challenge to really adapt to this fully, but it’s firmly planted in my mind now. After my Saturday morning group training session at the studio, I go and stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables before heading home to the family. This ensures we are fully supplied with good food for everyone over the weekend and into the next week.
I now have the confidence to say that I use food to fuel my body, not as a mood enhancer. My training is a priority and I don’t book appointments in or around my designated workout times. My exercise is my ‘me time’, and I come out a better person, ready to take on whatever my business or being a mum might bring that day.
I feel so proud of myself and what I’ve accomplished. Not only have I achieved the goals I set for myself, I’m now so motivated to stay on track with my health and fitness goals.
If you’re struggling with taking the step of finding the time, have a look at your weekly calendar and pencil in a few times per week to give yourself time to look after you. Ask yourself the hard questions about what you want and where you want to be. If you think you need help and encouragement to succeed, find a gym or trainer who can work with you and hold you accountable.
It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it. Fitness is now my personal priority because it makes me a better me, mum, wife and business owner.
Jane’s Challenge statistics
Challenge Results
By Jane Allan, Fat Loss Winner of the International Vision Personal Training Body Breakthrough Challenge.
Vision Personal Training Takapuna
4 Killarney St, Takapuna, 09-391 8787 www.visionpt.com.au/studios/takapuna
