Success Story: Alicia Branson
Written by Adam Stark Thursday, 01 July 2010 20:43
Like many other women, Alicia Branson found herself exhausted and overweight with two boys (ages 4 and 1) and a tanning and nail salon to run. She was 20lbs overweight and 2 dresses bigger - at this point Alicia only dreamed of having the body back that she had at her wedding eight years ago. It wasn't until Alicia's yo-yo and crash dieting had her feeling burnt out and out of control that she realized starvation was not the answer. She did a bit of research and came across a program called idealbodiesonline.com and immediately enlisted their help to achieve the results she was after the healthy way.
"My proudest moment was at the end of my 12 week program - I had achieved the results I set myself, I finally felt comfortable with my body and having a photo shoot was the most fantastic thing to finish off a hard 12 weeks of clean eating and training. I love the feeling of knowing I have achieved my goals and I now know that you don’t have to starve to get results" says Alicia. For some women, joining a program like idealbodiesonline is essential for success because there's no thinking involved. All that is required of you is to follow the program and trust your coaches. Alicia is proof that a little faith in another human being works.
Excuses like not having enough time to workout was common for Alicia who says "working out is not the difficult part for me - it's finding the time to work out that's a problem. Having to juggle two kids with workouts was sometimes hard and even though I've got the drive to do it, finding the time was no easy task. Early morning and late night sessions were common - I didn't have a set time to train - it was wherever whenever." If you want something bad enough you'll do what is required to have it.
A strong support system is crucial in the weight loss process. Luckily Alicia had the support of her husband, coaches at idealbodies and of course other family members and friends. "With my husbands support he was able to take on some of my workload so that I could finish my workouts."
"The most disheartening thing throughout my 12-week program was the people who knocked me for my achievements. It took inner strength to ignore their hurtful comments and stay focused on my goals," says Alicia who had to learn the hard way that most people can't deal with others making changes for the better in their lives. But she was smart and realized that she needed to stay positive and focused in order to reach her own personal goals for nobody but herself.
When it comes to goals, Alicia says "To reach for your goals you need to be patient, realistic, and reward results without reversing results. Be the hero of your own journey by being true to yourself and not everyone else." And her next goal is to to keep up this lifestyle and I also plan to run the City to Bay 12km in under one hour then maybe even a half marathon. Alicia can do whatever she sets her mind to and has already proven that with her achievements thus far - running the Mothers Day Classic 7.2km in 37 minutes, changing her body shape dramatically and leading the healthy lifestyle she's always dreamed of.
Alicia's Exercise Program:
Monday:
Morning Bike/Run/Bike for one hour
Evening Group PT for one hour
Tuesday
Morning Weights Legs/Arms
Evening Group PT 1hr
Wednesday
Morning Bike/Run/Bike 1hr
Afternoon - if time Walk with pram
Thursday
Morning Weights Back/Shoulders/Chest
Afternoon - if time walk with pram
Friday
Morning Bike/Run/Bike
Afternoon - if time walk with pram
Saturday or Sunday
Weights Legs/Arms - the next week would then start with Back/Shoulders/Chest and alternate
Saturday or Sunday - rest depending on weights day
Alicia's Daily Diet
Breakfast
Oats made with water and milk
Protein Shake made with water
Coffee
Snack
Yogurt
Protein Crunch
Lunch
Grain Bread Sandwich
Chicken or Tuna mixed with cottage cheese
Lots of Green Leaves or sometimes salad
Snack
Protein Powder Ball
Coffee
Dinner
Chicken & Veg or Salad
3 Litres of Water a Day