It's Time To Finally Lose Those Extra Kilos!
Look And Feel Amazing PLUS Be In The Running To Win Prizes Valued At Over $13,000
The 2010 National Fat-Loss-A-Thon has now closed; but here are 3 things that you can do:
- Check out the amazing transformations by the 2010 Winners below
- Sign up to the Real Body Club's weekly Success Newsletter
- If you want to achieve amazing results like the participants of the National Fat-Loss-A-Thon, go to www.realbody.com.au and become a member of The Real Body Club!
And the winners are …
1st Place - Warren Pickles , 39
‘I lost 16.5g and 47cm in just 12 weeks!’
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Before
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After
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| Weight Chest Waist Hips Thigh |
103.5kg |
Weight |
87kg 106cm 86cm 89cm 58cm |
What kept you motivated and inspired during the past 12-weeks to complete the 2010 National Fat-Loss-A-Thon Competition?
I had three areas of motivation. Firstly and most importantly was to lose weight to be the best role model possible for my small daughter. Secondly was to feel better within myself and be physically and mentally fit and resilient and finally to get on stage in a body building competition (something I have wanted to do since being a teenager).
How would you describe your level of fitness now?
Compared to when I started it is amazing. I am now stronger, have more lung capacity and a positive attitude to enjoy life. My mind power is so much greater, I don’t give up as easily and I now know I can achieve many many things in life both physical and mental. My increased level of fitness now means I am able to do more which propels me to want to achieve further and stay in this peak condition.
How would you describe your eating habits now?
Balanced and natural. I start each day with low G.I fuel and eat regularly through the day, staying conscious of what type of food I need to eat for the activity of my day. I no longer waste calories on unnecessary foods. I eat what I need and save the "what I like" as a treat twice a week. My eating habits have impacted the family and we now all follow what I would consider a balanced, healthy and nutritious meal plan, day in and day out.
How did the Meal Planners assist you in achieving your goals?
Meal planners were my bible. I followed these religiously and when I felt weak I just kept saying to myself, process, process, process. I felt if I could just follow the meal planner, everything else would fall into place. Indeed it did.
How would you describe your self esteem/self-confidence now?
Great, my self esteem and confidence is greatly improved. I am proud of what I have achieved and happy to share and make people around me feel good as well. This has impacted my family, my friends and my career in the most positive ways.
What other improvements did you make to other areas of your health and/or fitness?
My body fat went from 22.7% to 14%
My diet, eating healthy and being a good role model for my little girl
Did you achieve the list of 3 things that you wanted to achieve at the beginning of the competition that were your ‘success indicators’?
Yes I did achieve my three success indicators and to slip back to eating fast foods, fat heavy food was my biggest obstacle. How did I over come them - at times it was just mind power and I told myself I didn’t need them while other times I would have a big drink of water or eat a small balanced meal. Talking to my family and friends and explaining my obstacles at the time enabled them to help me as well, problem shared is a problem halved. It also helped having my wife on a similar journey, so together we were able to make wise food choices, instead of subconsciously sabotaging each other.
What new goals have you set for yourself now that you have completed the 2010 National Fat-Loss-A-Thon Competition?
Goal 1 is to lose 10 more kg by 12 September
Goal 2 to support and aid my wife to lose another 10kg in the same time frame
Goal 3 to live life to the fullest, be energetic and not make excuses for being inactive. Those days are over.
How do you feel the 2010 National Fat-Loss-A-Thon Competition has impacted your life overall?
This has changed my life. I am no longer a couch potato but a fuel filled racing car enjoying speeding through life. I am now a good role model for my little girl who will see her dad eat the right foods and take care of his body and mind. I am a better husband and better teacher as I feel self confident and assured. This process has totally changed my life for the better.
2nd Place - Craig Smith, 40
‘I lost 24kg and 70cm in just 12 weeks!'
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Before
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After
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| Weight Chest Waist Hips Each Thigh |
155kg |
Weight |
131kg 118cm 119cm 112cm 73cm |
What kept you motivated and inspired during the past 12-weeks to complete the 2010 National Fat-Loss-A-Thon Competition?
My biggest motivating factor by far was the inspiring poster that was on the gym wall with pre and post pictures of ‘Real” people. I thought that I and my wife could have a go at this program together. We discussed it, had a look at what we had to do on line and then in a sort of urgency started the program. In my mind I was ready for change, I had been overweight and obese most of my life, over the last 15 years my lifestyle choices in regard to exercise and diet were very poor.
I constantly had in the back of my mind that I probably would not make it past 42 ( I am now 40) due to my weight and poor eating habits, so I knew that I had to change if I was going to live a long life, not only for myself but also for my wife and three children. In the last 2 years there had been other factors that were worrying me and were asking me to change. These were the effects that certain foods in particular sugars were having on my energy levels and mind ( I was having a lot of symptoms of syndrome X- pre diabetic symptoms) , that to get life insurance and trauma / accident insurance the premiums were over 4 fold due to my weight being a health risk, that at the end of the day after work I was getting increasingly fatigued and would often come home and go straight to sleep on the couch, I was finding it uncomfortable to play with my boys , that I was becoming increasingly disgusted when I looked at myself in the mirror and that I was a very poor role model for both my boys and my patient’s (being a chiropractor). Patients at work would sometimes look at me strangely when I gave them recommendations to lose weight or change their lifestyle for certain health problems. Last year my wife and I went to a seminar where there were over 400 chiropractors. My wife stated to me after looking around the room that she was amazed that I was the only fat chiropractor in the room.
I had made a decision to change mentally, the poster, the competition, and the simplicity of the program gave me enough hope and motivation that I needed to change my body and my life. I was and am focussed on my health. It was my time.
How would you describe your level of fitness now?
Prior to starting the completion, I have rated my fitness as being poor. I would say now it is at the stage of being good. I can exercise cardio more intensely and for longer periods, and by far lift a lot heavier weights than when I first started the competition. One thing that I have not attempted for about eight years is running. I can now run up to half an hour on the treadmill covering about 4 km in this time. I can now run outside with my kids and play soccer and football and even have falls without the feeling that I was going to break a bone or do a real bad strain or sprain. I just didn’t have that confidence to be active with my kids. My fitness goals apart from working out at the gym , I am looking at buying a bike and joining a riding group where they ride 20-30 km a couple of days per week, that I will compete the City to Surf this year and join a basketball team this year.
How would you describe your eating habits now?
Prior to starting this competition my eating habits were quite poor. I would mix it up with healthy meals and then binge heavily on soft drinks, lollies and multiple family Cadbury blocks. If I ate healthy one day then the next would be a blow out with sugary foods, normally chocolate or lollies. I would always have very large meals and desserts. I would normally eat until I was completely full. The volume of food was always excessive. If I didn’t eat to fulfil I would feel like I was missing out on something or if there was any tiny stress I would emotionally eat.
Now my food choices are very simple palm of protein and a fist of carbs 5- 6 times per day. My wife has commented on how little we eat in comparison to what we ate before. For instance what meat I would eat at dinner time now feeds five of us. My diet is very clean full with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts and good quality meats and fish. My drink preference is filtered water and cups of tea. My energy levels are very level, no extreme ups and downs. Our lifestyle eating change has led to big savings at the supermarket and green grocer. I would have saved at least $60 a week due to the amount of junk food that I used to buy.
How did the Meal Planners assist you in achieving your goals?
Meal Planners make it easy to plan meals and made it easier for my wife when shopping. Sometimes we would not stick to the plan as people may arrive before meal times or we would be out of the home for some reason. Planning mine and the families’ meals means that our rate of success of eating healthy meals is increased. My wife now finds it easier to whip up a healthy salad or vegies & meat than going to town and buying take away. She avoids the isles in between the fruit, meat & dairy isles.
How would you describe your self esteem/self-confidence now?
Prior to going into completion my self confidence and self esteem was relatively good until I looked in a mirror at myself. This would make my confidence and esteem plummet to a poor level. At my work, I would catch a look at myself in the mirror in the change cubicles; I would be repulsed and have to close the curtain so I could not see myself. When getting out of the shower we have a large mirror in the bathroom. Prior to competition starting I would feel like crap when I looked in the mirror. Now when I look at myself in the mirror I find it easy to accept myself and my looks, I no longer feel repulsed by what I see, and see myself as being a good catch for my wife and that I know feel good looking in clothing which I have dropped 3-4 sizes in.
What other improvements did you make to other areas of your health and/or fitness?
a. BMI from 42 to 35
b. BP now 110/65
c. Pulse 58
d. Reduced body fat percentage to 24% (Jackson and Pollock equation)
Did you achieve the list of 3 things that you wanted to achieve at the beginning of the competition that were your ‘success indicators’?
When writing down my success indicators I was unsure whether if I could reach them but despite my doubts, I have achieved all three. To achieve success I was very aware that I had to maintain focus and disciplined over the whole twelve weeks.
In regard to pant’s, not all of my pants are a size 97, three pairs are while the others are a size 102. I was happy with this overall result with my pants. It’s interesting what you say to yourself internally, I was thinking that I was not successful because all my pants were not a size 97 that I fit into some are size 102. It shows that I put pressure on myself to succeed and when I did succeed I doubted my success. Ridiculous isn’t it!! As I have already stated I am now happy looking at myself in the mirror, I am accepting my body more and more and not concentrating or focussing on the negatives but becoming grateful for what I now have. I now like seeing muscle shape and definition starting to occur, this has given me renewed confidence in myself and a motivation to continue with training. When I wrote down 25km on a bike, I thought that it may have being too far. Prior to starting the competition I rode about 5km on the gym bike and was completely exhausted, I can now ride 30km doing interval training at level 10 in 53 minutes, and I still have energy left over. Hurdles or obstacles that arose was definitely food temptation such as sweets, lollies, chocolate and social gatherings. During my 12 weeks I attended children and adult birthday parties, hotels for counter meals, Chinese restaurants, and dinners or lunches with friends or family members. Two things that I actively did in these situations were made wise food choices and reduced the volume of food that I consumed at these events. Normally for me these events were “an invitation” to binge.
What new goals have you set for yourself now that you have completed the 2010 National Fat-Loss-A-Thon Competition?
Now after completing the fat loss a thon I will continue using this program to reduce my weight to 115kg by my birthday on December 15. But I believe that I will reach this goal by Mid August. I will compete in the Sydney City to Surf this year. I will be buying a bike so that I can ride 2 mornings a week at least. My body image goal is that I would like to have abdominal muscle definition (six pack) by December 15 this year. We are going to travel to USA at the end of the year and I have always struggled fitting into airline seats both width and length wise. I feel that I will be able to travel comfortably with my family. My long term goal is to live to at least 80 years.
How do you feel the 2010 National Fat-Loss-A-Thon Competition has impacted your life overall?
First of all thank you to Sonja and Real Body Enterprises. You have literally saved my life and I feel humbled and grateful for this. As I stated I was slowly by lifestyle choice, with a bit of genetic predisposition thrown in, setting me up for death probably by heart attack in my 40’s .This had been in my head for a long time. My dad had died at 53 from heart attack and my dad’s mum from stroke in her early 40’s. I don’t know how much longer my body could have stood up to the abuse by lifestyle I was giving it. My body was in survival mode. The gross lack of exercise, the over consumption of poor food and the negative thinking about myself was going to put me in the ground well before my time. You gave me the competition, the simple instructions and the motivation to take Action. Focus, Action and Persistence led to me to rebuilding and transforming my life. Feeling good about myself, being able to do more with my kids and wife and knowing that I have given myself a renewed chance at living a longer, happier & healthier life are my rewards. Thanks for the Gift Sonja. My Life is back!
3rd Place - Catherine Davis, 36
‘I lost 9.2kg and 55.5cm in just 12 weeks!’
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Before
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After
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Weight |
77.2kg |
Weight |
68kg 97cm 78.5cm 104cm 59cm |
What kept you motivated and inspired during the past 12-weeks to complete the 2010 National Fat-Loss-A-Thon Competition?
I was sick of feeling fat and uncomfortable. I wanted to fit back into my uniform and nice clothes (some of which have been in the cupboard for 10 years!) and look great in a pair of swimmers – curvy, yes…but chunky, no. I wanted to feel confident when I go to the beach and the pool.
I wanted to be a “good eating” role model for my children and develop good eating patterns, so they also don’t become obese. I needed to become food, activity and health aware to reduce my incidents of diabetes (family history of), heart disease and other preventable illness associated with being overweight.
Along the way, I saw a story on ACA about Annie who was crying because she was told “lose weight or die”. Well, I am taking responsibility for me and that’s not how I see my life. I want to live to see my children grow up and have a good life full of positive experiences and wonderful memories.
I was keen to promote the fat-loss-a-thon program into my organisation as this type of activity builds moral, develops positive relationships with colleagues, reduces the obesity and encourages healthy eating. While management did not agree with the “a-thon”; the girls in my office got together anyway and encouraged and motivated each other during our health and fit campaign. We talked about the different foods we were eating, problems, achievements and variety of exercises. I enjoyed sharing this journey with them and glad I had their support.
As I am a goal orientated person, being able to login to the website and type in my weight loss and compare it to the other competitors and see the % loss was really exciting! I was in 45th position after the first week, by the third week, I was in 8th – these results really spurred me on.
How would you describe your level of fitness now?
I have never been a sport or exercise guru. I have loads of excuses of why my exercising is not really my thing.
When I joined the competition I knew I had to come up with a way not to make exercise a chore. So instead, I took the view – “I need to look at ways to improve my fitness and create opportunities to ‘get moving’, instead of sitting on my butt.”
Once I got into the mindset – it became a game to find ways to “get moving”. I also had to change my attitude, instead of making excuses – kids, work, friends, business, study, functions etc , I had to prioritise my “health”… because it is time to look after me!
I made a conscience effort to attend my local women’s gym. I pulled out my walking machine and at lunchtimes, I would get out of the office and walk around the CDB.
During a two week vacation at the beach, I could easily kayak 2kms each day without being sore, walk the beach without being out of breath and swim the width of the beach.
I am thrilled to say I can feel the muscles in my stomach, improved my pelvic floor, balance and strength. I can now do the circuit and manage to walk out feeling energised and enthusiastic, instead of completely stuffed!
How would you describe your eating habits now?
During the first month, I was really shocked with the bad eating habits I had got into. It became evident how much unconscious eating I did - food off the kid’s plate, a spoonful of batter (or maybe the bowl), testing the baking, eating chocolate (breakfast, lunch and dinner!), half a sausage before dinner and pudding and chocolate before bed. At social engagements, a nibble here and there – before you know it, that’s six biscuits, half round of cheese and 40grams of chips…ugh!
I put a food and movement diary on the fridge to keep me on course.
Now I practice conscious healthy eating. I still find it difficult in some situations, but each time I cook a meal or go to put food in my mouth, I think about how many calories? Is it a health choice? What other options are available? Or I have a big drink of water.
If I am at a social engagement, I position myself as far as possible away from the food. I choose which hand-arounds are best for me – like the carrot and dip or fruits. I keep to a small plate or allocate my portions before I start the meal. For rewards, I treat myself to ‘fancy salads’ from the shop across the road from my work like Mediterranean chickpea salad or lemon grass chicken salad.
When I was on holidays, I was conscious of what I was eating. I choose my treats wisely either by reducing the size or changing the menu. I didn’t feel I was missing out, just having a healthy alternative.
How did the Meal Planners assist you in achieving your goals?
I studied the meal planners before I started the program and referred often to them during the first four weeks. I worked out my eating portions, kj per day and meal composition using the meal planner as a guide.
As I am keen to keep the practice of conscious healthy eating, I used the internet (and advice from mother-in-law) to adjust the menu to meet my whole family’s needs.
So instead how I normally make spaghetti bolognaise, I made healthy bolognaise with lots of vegetables, real tomatoes and herbs. I purchased the heart-wise silverside, weight watchers white sauce and pile up the vegetables. Changed from normal yoghurt to a low GI, low calorie version.
I put a food and movement diary on the fridge to keep me on course. When there was a ‘blow-out’ for the day, I could adjust and make amends as needed. My diary helped a lot with eating consciously.
On holidays, I was able to continue my health program because I wasn’t eating ‘out of the ordinary’ just adjusting the style. Instead of crumbed fish and chips, I had grilled fish and salad. When everyone had a big salad roll, I had a wrap and salad.
I choose this style of eating program because I want it to be a lifestyle choice, not just a fad diet, which I have done before. I am not on a diet, I am eating for a healthy life!
How would you describe your self esteem/self-confidence now?
In 2009, I was asked to be the MC at the Australian Local Government Women’s Association Conference formal dinner in March 2010.
I knew this was going to be a challenge – both mentally and physically. Introducing a full evening’s program is daunting enough without feeling self-conscience about body shape.
I worked really hard on my body shape – so when I did do the MC role I was feeling as confident as possible. I brought a great new dress in a SIZE 14 in a style that I would never have dared before – figure hugging! Standing in front of 200 women, I looked good and felt terrific. I didn’t have to hide behind the podium. I did not feel as though I was being judged on my size or stressed about how I looked. All I had to concentrate on was delivering the evening’s program.
I really love the ripples my muscles make in my arms, my stomach is toned and my calves are defined. My inner thighs don’t rub together anymore…yea!! I feel happy about wearing lingerie again.
I think because I am taking care of myself and improving my health, things at home are getting better. I feel much more resilient and confident.
Also because the girls in my office did this journey together, I think it has helped build moral and a positive relationship with each other. We have all been encouraging each other and celebrating our measurement or weight loss. We appreciate each other’s difficulties (menopause, food issues etc) and learnt from each other. After having struggled with many personal dramas and work issues over the past few years, it’s fantastic to have such a support team around me.
My beach holiday was fantastic. I looked great, felt great and was comfortable in my own skin.
What other improvements did you make to other areas of your health and/or fitness?
Reduced to one caffeine drink per day (98% of the time) and increased water intake to 1.8L – 2.2litres/day. I had headaches for a month while coming off caffeine!
Core muscles improved. Pelvic floor stronger!
Reviewed overall health and undertook baseline blood tests (cholesterol, diabetes etc), skin checks etc
Did you achieve the list of 3 things that you wanted to achieve at the beginning of the competition that were your ‘success indicators’?
I now have access to a part of my wardrobe that I haven’t been able to wear for a good couple of years - back into my size 14’s (and some 12’s) and bought some lingerie. Lost nearly 10kg, while I acknowledge it is less than my goal, this is the first time I have ever gained muscle, changing by body shape and fat storage.
I really love the ripples my muscles make in my arms, my stomach is toned and my calves are defined. My inner thighs don’t rub together anymore. I have a waistline and BMI within the health guidelines.
I gave my health priority and made sure I let others know it was important to me and asked for their assistance.
My husband helped by giving me the correct serving size and vegetables/salad I needed; and not temping me with junk. As exercise is not something that comes easy, when I was asked to come into work (on my days off), I let them know I had to start later than normal because I have to go to the gym. I take a longer lunch break on the days I am contracted to work, so I can exercise with my work colleagues. On my days off, I get dress in my joggers and gym pants, so I am ready to MOVE IT during the day.
What new goals have you set for yourself now that you have completed the 2010 National Fat-Loss-A-Thon Competition?
I am continuing to practice conscious healthy eating. I am now aware of my eating practices and what triggers I have to be careful of. I am keen to get to 65kgs, which equates to 15% body weight loss. I am a full member of the women’s gym and will continue to go 3-4 times per week.
Over the next school term (12 weeks) I will continue to reduce my body shape and weight to my goal size.
My family is into a good eating pattern with healthy choices and a new palate.
At the change of the season, I am going to clean out my wardrobe and get rid of my big clothes.
How do you feel the 2010 National Fat-Loss-A-Thon Competition has impacted your life overall?
The 2010 National Fat-Loss-A-Thon Competition gave me the incentive and know-how to critically look at my behaviour – the excuses I developed regarding bad eating patterns and food choices. I have become fitter by finding ways to move by prioritising my health and fitness.
My family are more conscious of serving sizes and healthier choice of ingredients like replacing regular spaghetti bolognaise with a greater percentage of vegetables, heart smart meat choices and low GI breads and dairy foods.
I feel my work team is closer and we have gained an understanding about each other on a personal level. This experience has allowed us to support and encourage each other.
Can I really get results like this?
Now you’re probably thinking "this can’t be true" or “how are such dramatic results possible in just 12-weeks?” right? Well, I can honestly say that if you follow The Real Body Plan that you too can get amazing results just like the photos above.
The reason such dramatic results are possible in such a short period of time is that we have used the latest scientific research to ensure you get the fastest possible fat burning methods and ways to increase your metabolism (which is how many calories a day your body uses). By eating and exercising the Real Body way, you can take advantage of these ‘insider secrets’ and turn your body’s ‘fat burning engine’ from a 2-stroke lawnmower into a V8 engine!
And don’t worry if you lead a busy lifestyle, the exercise and eating plans are flexible enough that I am confident you’ll be able to tailor them to fit in with your current committments, after all, we understand that you are busy!
As for planning and preparing 6 meals a day, these can be as easy or extravagant as you want to make them. There are plenty of options for making meals in less than 5 minutes, either using the Real Body Real Food Plan recipes or making your own favourite meals from the Nutrition Know-How sheet. You can also use supplements or meal replacements for up to 3 meals a day which make eating on the run quick and easy.
If you have any questions at all, about The Real Body Club or about future Fat-Loss-A-Thon competitions, please send us an email or call us using the details on the contact us form (click here) and we will get back to you within 24-48 hours; all of the Real Body team are here to help you succeed.
Sonja Falvo
Professional Speaker, Author & International Body Transformation Specialist