Model Body

Kristin Gleeson had the height of a model and with some motivation and a lot of hard work, she now has the figure to match!

Kristin’s story...

I hated the fact that whenever I complained about being unhappy about my weight, I always got the same response from people, “but you’re tall, you can get away with it”. It never made me feel any better about myself and neither did the fact that I continued to try, yet fail, at different ways to achieve the body and dress size that I had always wanted. I was really starting to feel like a complete failure at anything I set out to do and I had never been bigger than I was when I started this challenge. I knew that it was time to do something about it!

I have tried doing the BodyBlitz challenge before and I didn’t complete it. I gave up on myself because of a number of reasons and I guess they were all excuses. I wanted to achieve some pretty big goals and I wanted to achieve them before I went on holiday this year. I always made up excuses and I really needed someone to make me not give up on myself and to keep me motivated. I have tried different things and I kept falling in and out of having motivation to achieve it. Sometimes my motivation lasted a week, sometimes a couple of months, but I always ended up back at the same spot.

I generally find myself making up excuses and reasons why it’s okay for me to eat a whole bag of potato chips. Mainly because I feel I’ve worked hard enough for it!

The first time I attempted the BodyBlitz, it was with no plan of attack and with no help from anyone. I thought I knew it all because I have always been active in my job and was a member of a gym (whether I actually went to the gym or not was another thing!), but what I knew wasn’t enough, and my after photos never made it in.

Kristin's Tips 1. There are no excuses, never forget that! 2. Do your training first thing in the morning and you’ll feel awesome all day long. 3. Be psychologically prepared. 4. Be physically prepared. Plan when and what you will eat and plan when and what you will do for exercise. 5. Write everything down – your diet, exercise, all the feelings you have and in particular, your goals – and read them every day!

Having always been inspired by the winners and success stories in Women’s Health and Fitness magazine, I was finally inspired by another reader’s story. I was sceptical about spending any more money on weight loss attempts, but knew I needed the support of a trainer. I have joined so many gyms, paid so many personal trainers, bought so many different weight loss gimmicks and even signed up and paid for another 12-week at home course, but this time I did some research, and felt I was ready.

Something inside me told me that this was the time that I needed to do this. I was at a point in my life where I needed to stop talking about achieving this and other things in my life, and just start doing it! I slowly became more aware that it had so much to do with my psychological state than anything else.

My training and nutritional plans were fantastic. I was stoked with what I could eat, how much I could eat, the recipes and the online support every week. They were there for me every step of the way and I always had someone to answer to. I also never got bored with my training at the gym, as my program was updated a couple of times and there was lots of variety and everything I did I enjoyed and it challenged me! The most important thing for me was the knowledge I gained about myself. I know now, that I can be my own best friend or my own worst enemy when it comes to achieving things in life, in this particular instance, the body I wanted.

I definitely had some hurdles along the way, like everyone does and like everyone will. The fact that I am a manager at a hotel, have irregular sleeping and eating habits from working in the hospitality industry, and am around a lot of deep-fried, tempting food and alcoholic beverages has been difficult. Additionally, there were many other things that happened along the way. I definitely didn’t have a perfect 12 weeks, that’s for sure. Cravings and temptations can always get the better of you – the difference is, whether or not you get back onto your plan if you happen to veer off. But there is no point in whining about what I’ve missed out on, or had to deal with, because I believe now that there are no excuses when you want to achieve something incredible and there will always be hard times!

I have had so much fun doing this program that I am actually sad that the 12 weeks are over. I am also so excited about what the future holds for me, and what I now know I can achieve. I have so much more confidence in myself, and control over my life again. It feels awesome! To anyone who says they can’t lose weight or can’t stick to a diet like I have, I have this to say: If you want something in life, you have to set your mind to it. You have to be willing to make sacrifices and be selfish. You can be your own best friend, or your own worst enemy. No-one else is to blame but yourself, and there are no excuses, no matter what, because it is all worth it in the end!

I have now decided to spend more time focusing on my study and working less and I have decided that I am going to combine my business studies with sport and exercise science so that I can have my own business helping others achieve what I have. It has been such an amazing feeling for me to inspire everyone around me, my work mates, my flat mates, my friends, family and in particular, my boyfriend Matt, who has been an amazing support throughout my journey and who I am so proud of for the changes that he is now making to live a healthier and happier lifestyle too!