How this Mom Stopped Sucking in her Gut and lost 55 pounds

If you need a little inspiration, this is your Monday read! Julie was overweight for 10 years and feeling awful. She found Fit4Females and lost 50 pounds after the birth of her first baby. She just had her second baby and has had great success rehabbing her post natal body and losing 55 pounds. Read her previous success story here.

JULIE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Tell us why you joined Fit4Females?

I joined Fit4Females just over four years ago after the birth of my daughter. I was unhappy with weight that I had gained over a ten year period, and thought that by joining I might be able to lose a little bit of weight and at the same time get out of the house with my three month old baby.

What thoughts did you have before joining Fit4Females?

Before joining Fit4Females I was skeptical that I would lose weight. I had spent ten years doing my very best to conceal my weight gain and believed my metabolism was slowing down. I thought that since I now had a baby…it’s normal to keep on that extra baby weight. So many times I looked in the mirror sucking in my gut, pulling down my under arm fat, wishing that my body would just change.

Tell us about your first Fit4Females workout

It is not so much the first workout that I remember (although I was very sore after) it was the first person I met in class that stood out. I remember walking into class feeling scared and hopeless, thinking to myself “what did I sign myself up for?” I didn’t know where to set up my mat or what to do and then a mom came up to me and introduced herself. She was just finishing up her maternity leave and told me that she had lost over 50 lbs. I stood in awe of her. This member inspired me so much that day because I thought to myself if she could do it, then so could I.

Why do you love Fit4Females and the Team Leaders?

I love Fit4Females because it is fun, never boring. I have been inspired by some amazing women and have made some incredible friends. Trina Medves helped to change my life. She taught me to set goals, to fuel my body properly, to be patient with results, and to love myself. Her Team Leaders share her passion of health and fitness and have all played an integral role in my fitness journey.

What improvements have you made since joining Fit4Females?

Since joining Fit4Females back on February 14, 2012 I have lost more than 50 lbs (twice over as I regained 55 lbs during my second pregnancy and have now lost it). I can swing a 45 lb kettle bell, deadlift over 110 lbs, and can double under. I have competed in a number of 5 km races with a personal best time of just over 26 minutes. I also participated in the Around the Bay Race with two other F4F members as a part of three person 10 km relay team. I pushed through the Badass Dash with my husband. I now wear shorts, dresses, and bikini’s…things I never used to wear. I gave up pop and all sugary drinks. And I became one of Trina’s Team Leaders.

Any encouraging advice you can share with our Readers?

The first piece of advice that I would share with our readers is that change is difficult, but definitely possible. It requires dedication, perseverance, and most importantly support especially from family. The second piece of advice I would give would be that as women and especially as mothers, we struggle to find balance in our lives amidst of all of our responsibilities. We think that time to ourselves working out takes time away from our family. But it does not. Know that when you spend time on yourself, when you workout, you are doing it for your family. You will be a stronger and happier version of yourself. Finally, I would tell members to set goals and to push themselves. We tend to not give ourselves the benefit of the doubt, we count ourselves out before we even try. Pick up that heavier weight, sprint that last 100 metres, hold that plank for an extra five seconds…challenge your body and believe that you can do it!

Watch Julie in Action!