Teresa stopped making excuses and reached her goal.

OMG…….Who are you and what have you done with my body?  I was looking at the photo taken at my friend’s wedding.  The girl standing next to me, who had always been much bigger than me, was now smaller.  That’s when I became serious about regaining control of my life. I had gone from a once very active, healthy, trim person with a healthy appetite to a sedentary, unhealthy person who was lucky if she managed 1 meal and a snack daily. 

I had used the excuse of the long hours I worked, the fact that I lived in the hills and there were no gyms convenient for me for too long.  There it was………Healthy Inspirations had opened up on Glen Osmond Road.  God help me……there were no excuses any more.  Fate was conspiring against me. 

First the photo and then the gym right there in my pathway between home and work. I had told a fellow hills dweller about the gym opening.  Unlike me, ever the person of action, she joined 2 weeks before me.  She was already seeing great results.  My first visit was filled with trepidation.  I was worried that I was going to feel out of place.  This was short lasting.  I was greeted by the ever cheerful Nola and I was away.  I could not believe the friendly atmosphere.  My fear of what a gym would be like were soon replaced with me actually looking forward to going.  Each of the team welcomed me by name and a huge smile each time I entered the doors. 

I followed the rules religiously.  I stepped on the scales time and time again only to be greeted by the most meagre results.   What was I doing wrong?  Everyone around me was losing weight and inches at a steady and impressive weight.  I was doing what I should, eating the correct foods, attending 3-4 sessions a week and still the results were discouraging.  BUT during all of this the encouragement I received from the team kept me going. 

Every success, not matter how small, was celebrated and when there were the occasional gain or the loss so small to be insignificant, the encouragement seemed all the greater.  The other “girls” on the circuit, who it seemed were getting smaller each time I saw them, were also so encouraging I vowed that  I was not going to let this beat me and so I tried just that little bit harder.    I just know that had I not been a member of Healthy Inspirations I would have given up – just as I had in the past. 

Not to be beaten Kate and Nola consulted their nutritionist….and so my journey on Plan 1 (which had not at this stage been introduced) began.  I stepped up my exercise and slowly but surely results were showing on the scales and tape measure.   At last I was at the 20% mark.  I think I was probably the longest standing name in the “beginners” table on the board.  

The day I moved to 20% anyone would have thought I had won the lottery!! 

From there on in the progress was steady but sure. I just had to accept that my metabolism was not the same as the “girls” who lost steadily and significantly.  There was no quick solution to this weight gain, no magic pills or shakes,  just sheer determination, sticking to the plan, stepping up the exercise (which involved stepping outside my comfort zone) and slowly but surely my body began to respond.  All the way through this the team’s encouragement was what kept me motivated. 

I am now a proud member of the 100% club !! 

I am such a fan of the dedication and friendliness of all of the team at Healthy Inspirations that I have convinced a few of my friends to also join.  Happily they have had fantastic results and are also loving the experience.  I  recommend the plan, and most especially the team, to all and anyone that will listen. 

Keep up the fantastic work.  I am forever in your debt.