TRANSFORMATION: Super Mom

Kelly Lamoreaux had four babies in five years, but used visualization to help her become a fitness competitor.

VITAL STATS:

Height: 5’ 7”
Before // Age: 35, Weight: 178
After // Age: 40, Weight: 130

THE CHALLENGES

I had always been pretty thin until I started having children. After having four babies in a five-year period, I gained a lot of weight, and developed abdominal separation. I felt really hopeless about getting back my pre-baby body. My biggest challenge was quieting my self doubts and not letting them hold me back from making positive changes and healthier choices. It was learning how to be patient, to be gentle with myself along the way.

TURNING POINT

I was really tired of not feeling like myself. The interesting part of my journey was that I started with a quest for a physical change but in the end the greatest gift I received was the inner changes that occurred. It helped me grow so much as a person because I learnt how to be kind to myself but still capable of doing hard things. This new-found confidence spilled over into my life and I felt more fulfilled.

NEW GOALS

One of my close friends posted a picture of herself doing a fitness competition and it really motivated me. She looked absolutely amazing. I decided to set a goal to step on stage as a fitness competitor nine months later. Setting that goal and knowing I would be on that stage in front of people really kept me on track with my fitness goals.

STAYING FOCUSED

I used visualization because when I started working out I could barely run a 1/4 mile. I would start visualizing and seeing myself reaching my goal, of what it would feel like to be successful and healthy. That really helped me push through the days when I felt like giving up.

OBSTACLES OVERCOME

Changing my eating habits was very challenging. I would get intense cravings in the beginning and my body craved the sugar I had removed from my diet. If I ate one cheat meal a week, I’d remember dreaming about it every week. It was so hard to stay on track all week. Now it has become second nature to make healthy nutrition choices and my body craves the healthy food.

STAYING MOTIVATED

1. I pack a snack that is easy to eat, like an apple or protein chips, for my long commute home.

2. Take pictures once a week and do a comparison from the week before to see progress.

3. For the days that I don’t feel like working out, I still get up and go to the gym even if it is only 20 minutes on the treadmill. Doing something is better than not doing anything at all.

STICKING TO THE PLAN

1. I hired a trainer. She helped me figure out my daily meals and would check in with me weekly. It’s good to have a friend or support group to help you stay on track.

2. If it is overwhelming for you to change all you habits at once, start with one habit at a time and once you master that add in a new habit.

3. Food prep one day a week so that you always have healthy options. On busy days you will be less likely to grab an unhealthy food choice.