Vanessa Harman has overcome her battles
with binge eating and spills the beans on her sleek new body!
Vanessa's story...
Stats
Stats
Weight
Chest
Waist
Calves
Before
67kg
98cm
83cm
37cm
After
59kg
94cm
65cm
36cm
Two and a half years ago after many comments from my then five-year- old daughter about my fat tummy and wobbly bum I completed a 12-week Challenge that kickstarted me on my way to losing 16 kilos over six months. What a life changing experience that turned out to be. I gained so much self confidence and my outlook on life became so much more positive. I loved setting a positive example to my two young daughters. My passion for everything fitness grew daily and I completed my Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness and became a Personal Trainer. By eating well and training regularly over the past two years I maintained my weight-loss and continued to improve my fitness.
Last year I was unable to train for nearly three months after two surgeries. It was so hard not being able to go to the gym. I could feel myself slipping into a depression and some of my past self destructive behaviours started to resurface. I found myself secretly buying chocolate, lollies and biscuits and then bingeing on them in secret. I’d feel so sick, guilty and disgusted in myself afterwards, but then find myself doing it again later in the week. The kilos were piling on undoing all of the hard work I had done over the past two years. I decided that once I was cleared to start working out again that I would start another 12- week challenge. I needed something to keep me accountable and on track.
The first thing I did was make a list of what I wanted to achieve over the 12 weeks. I typed them up and put them on the fridge. I made sure I read them everyday and visualised how I was going to look at the end. I also had a picture of Monica Brant and a few others on the fridge for inspiration.
I then worked out how I was going to achieve those goals taking into account my work and family commitments. I worked out a nutrition plan to follow and one day each week I would do a big cook up of the following weeks meals and freeze them. That way I had no excuse for straying off plan. I stopped buying sweet biscuits and other tempting food. My husband and daughters weren’t too impressed though.
I had fun with my training. I changed my program every three to four weeks to keep it interesting and challenging. I started incorporating some plyometrics training as well. I love learning new ways to work out so was constantly reading fitness mags and visiting fitness sites on the internet for new ideas. Plus with school holidays on during my challenge I was busy chasing after my daughters.
I made sure I drank a minimum of three litres of water a day and ate every three hours. I included a portion of protein with every meal and tried to keep my carbohydrates to Low-GI options. I also made sure I ate healthy fats each day. I started supplementing with Fish Oil tablets and eating a handful of almonds or walnuts each night.
I did have a few slip ups nutrition wise. The worst being a few days before Christmas. My husband went away and we had been given a few big boxes of chocolates. I opened a box with the intention of only having two or three but a few hours later I was looking at the bottom of an empty box. Feeling utterly sick and disgusted in myself I contemplated driving up to the shop to buy a replacement box to cover up my tracks. But I made the decision to stop this cycle of self destruction and own up to it. I put it behind me and made sure I stuck to my plan for the rest of my challenge.
I can proudly say that I achieved every goal I set for myself at the start of this challenge. My self confidence has returned and I am a lot nicer to be around. My husband has been a wonderful support during this challenge. It helps so much when you have someone to encourage you when you hit a tough spot. I would like to thank Adam from Karratha Adventure Sports for providing me with a Cross Trainer to use at home at no charge. And also Cindy from Life and Soul Gym for her ongoing support, encouragement and friendship. I have already set myself some new goals to work towards. I have made a commitment to myself that I will never hear those words spoken by my daughter again.
Daily Diet Plan
Meal 1: Porridge with protein powder Post workout: Protein shake and piece of fruit Meal 2: Chicken, broccoli and brown rice Meal 3: Scrambled egg whites on toast with vegemite Meal 4: Chicken/steak/fish with veggies and salad Meal 5: Almonds and walnuts (handful)
Sample Exercise Program
6am – cardio Monday to Friday Monday – shoulders, chest and triceps Wednesday – legs and abs Friday – back and biceps Saturday – plyometric leg workout
This Months Winner is Vanessa Harman
Vanessa Harman has overcome her battles with binge eating and spills the beans on her sleek new body! Read more>
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This Months Winner is Vanessa Harman 
This Months Winner Dean Jenner 
This Months Winner John Cross 
