Inspiration and Motivation

It is a fact that most women start dieting and working out for an “occasion” rather than just to be healthy. Julie’s reason was no different. Her sister was getting married and Julie was desperate to “lose weight and look good” wearing the bridesmaid dress.

Julie explains that she wasn’t always overweight but since having to go on a course of Prednisone therapy for medical reasons, she put on excess weight as this is a well known side effect of this medication.  Julie admits that she was often depressed and “would eat badly on purpose” which made her situation worse.

Exercise had never been a part of Julie’s life and not being knowledgeable about nutrition either, left Julie frustrated and overwhelmed with her dilemma. She “didn’t know where to start” and was quite “intimidated and self-conscious of working out in a gym”. Julie hired me to help her. Julie understood that just hiring a Personal Trainer was not going to get her results; she had to do the work!

Julie
30 something
Administrative Assistant

September 20

Well after procrastinating for months, I actually started working out today!  I sat in my car in the gym parking lot for 20 minutes!  I was so scared to walk in! I called my sister on the phone and told her that I couldn’t do it!  She told me that I was being ridiculous and no one in the gym cared what I look like and to get myself inside! My heart was beating so fast but I did it. Liza was standing by the front door waiting for me… smiling. I felt really awkward, which she knew and she made me feel so much better. Liza taught me different exercises and was very patient … I was so nervous but after training tonight, I feel so good…. like I am moving in the right direction…..finally! Six weeks until Heather’s wedding!

I told Liza I wanted to lose 20 lbs before the wedding.  She told me that she just wanted me to focus on following my nutritional plan and training program and my body would change. She said that losing 20 lbs in 6 weeks is not realistic but that my body would definitely change as long as I stuck to my program.

My beginning measurements:
Weight: 174 lbs Waist: 31 ½ in. Hips: 40 ¾ in. Legs: R – 25 ¼   L – 24 ¼
Arms: R – 12   L – 12

October 8

It’s been 2 weeks and I have gotten used to the eating plan. I am feeling so much better. I used to feel sick a couple times a day before changing my eating habits! Liza has taught me how important it is to eat small frequent meals. It helps keep my energy up! I guess this is a healthier way to eat. I have been training 2 or 3 nights a week with Liza and doing cardio 5 days a week. I do wish I could see more results already. Everyone says they can see the weight loss in my face. I can’t see it yet. Liza won’t let me weigh myself yet… its killing me! But, I am listening to her! The wedding shower is tomorrow. I can actually button my pants without being in pain… so I must have lost some! I want to see a change… I know I have to be patient.

October 14

It’s my 4 week mark and I’m getting measured today! Liza kept saying that she definitely could see a difference and was excited to measure me… she said it was hard to see how much because I always wear big baggy clothes to work out!

Oh my gosh the drops in my measurements were so drastic that we were so excited! From my initial measurements I have dropped 13 lbs…. I lost 1 ½ in. in my waist… 3 ¾  in. in my hips!!!!!  1/4 in. in my right leg and my left leg stayed the same…. And I lost ½ in. in each arm. Wow… in just 4 weeks! I know that I have done exactly as Liza said and it feels so amazing to see these results on paper! I have 2 more weeks until the wedding! Liza is really amazed at how fast my body is reacting!

October 28

The wedding is this weekend! I have waited until the last possible moment to get my dress altered. 4 days before the wedding! I couldn’t believe how much they had to take my dress in! The dress was ordered as a size 14 and they had to alter my dress down to a size 8 !!!! I was so excited that I called Liza as I was leaving my fitting. At this point the change was so drastic. Fresh off the excitement, the next night I got my hair cut and styled which was something I had not done in over 2 years! I always wore my hair up carelessly because I never felt good about the way I looked.  After leaving the salon I had to get some new clothes for pre-wedding events since my clothes were too big! I went to the Gap to try on jeans and was amazed that I fit into a size 8! It was the best feeling! I walked out of the mall with my new hair and new clothes and felt like a new person!! I drove to the gym because I knew Liza would want to see the new me!  She was so emotional when she saw me… she was so happy to see me happy and feeling good about myself.

My 6 week measurements! We had just measured 2 weeks ago but since it was time for the wedding day which was my GOAL, we measured again. I lost 7 more lbs. in 2 weeks and Liza could not believe that I ended up losing 20 lbs in 6 weeks! And went from a size 14 to a size 8! 
Weight: 154 lbs   Waist: 29  Hips: 36 1/4in.

I felt so great walking down the isle at Heather’s wedding… everyone was so complimentary of the way I looked. It was such a great feeling!

Christmas Time

I am actually looking forward to the holidays for the first time in a while! I can wear cute dresses to parties for the first time in a few years. I wasn’t dreading all the holiday events and continue to get so many compliments… it is unbelievable. I feel much more confident and productive.

March

Our Company Auction is here and it had been another event that I would dread. The last couple of years I had been so embarrassed by outfits that I wore. This year I am wearing a black dress that is a size 6! I am beyond excited! Liza attended the auction and I was so happy to share it with her! It was a great night!