Congratulations to Kate who has just completed 2 x 12 week programs!

Know that you have a choice, and that there are consequences for your choices, the better the choices you make, the better the outcome.

I had always maintained a healthy weight and considered myself pretty fit, however last year at the age of 57 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

It was a huge shock, but, I knew I had to keep going, to do everything I could to live.  I underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It was a really tough time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thankfully I was able to have Scalp Cooling therapy which reduces hair loss from the medical treatments. While I lost a lot of hair I managed to keep enough of it not to notice too much. Both my adult children came to every chemo session and although the circumstances were awful, as I look back it was a precious time with them. We talked and laughed and made every day a good day.

Fortunately I sailed through the treatment with very few side effects but by the end I was very weak. I had considerable muscle wastage. I knew I needed to regain strength, health and fitness and was searching for a solution when my dear friend Nellie referred me to Kirsten.

‘Your future self will thank you for the choices you make today’ 

 

What did you struggle with the most on this journey, and how did you overcome it?

The amount of food I needed to eat to get shape up, gain health and strength! It took a while to get my head around it and to gradually get used to it but I trusted Kirsten and she taught me lots of strategies that really helped me make progress.

 

What did you find the easiest on this journey, and how did you overcome it?

It was easy sticking to the food as there was plenty to eat so I was never hungry. Sometimes I craved a few treats, so I certainly wasn’t perfect on my progam.

I learnt that you don’t have to starve or deprive yourself to change your body shape and body composition. In fact, you need to eat more to get the improvements you want!

 

What was the biggest habit holding you back?

Drinking wine every night as a reward!

I only drank two glasses a night, but I discovered that they had a big impact on what I ate and how I slept. They made me very hungry which resulted in me often eating the wrong things and I didn’t sleep very well.

I changed my habits to align with my health goals and now I only drink socially at the weekends. I have replaced my nightly wines with natural mineral water with ice cubes and lemon. This is now my replacement drink, and to be honest, I feel much better, and I enjoy sleeping better too!

 My message to others is be grateful for everything you have but most of all for the people and the love in your life. Don’t waste your time or energy wishing for material things. Don’t worry about anything you cannot change as it is pointless and steals your joy.

Try to be kind to everyone as you never know what is going on in their life – almost everyone is struggling with something.

‘If you always do what you’ve always done you’ll always be what you’ve always been’

Kirsten’s program has been fabulous for me, even with the 4.30am starts!

I had such lovely training buddies Bridie and Cathy. We encouraged each other through the sessions and shared in each other’s triumphs.

I have learnt so much from Kirsten and appreciated her support. Now we will continue to work together via the Online Coach program with me training at a public gym but still being accountable to her for being consistent with my training, nutrition and education. It’s so easy to let these things drop when you don’t have accountability and support.

I’ve learnt so much this year and gotten fabulous results. I love waking up and looking at myself in the mirror and liking what I see! At 58 I even have abs now! I’m so much stronger than I was, my skin looks healthy and radiant. My hair is growing back thicker. I don’t want to go back to where I was in January!  I plan to continue the good habits I’ve begun.

My message to others is:

‘Be strong! You don’t know how strong you are until being strong is the only option! Be grateful, and never give up – just take a day at a time and keep going!

Join Kate and others in my Facebook community page here (it’s free)