Success Story - Helen Frank

Written by Shoshana Pritzker Thursday, 29 July 2010 18:52

As a teenager, Helen's dream was to join the Navy.  Once out of highschool, the Navy is exactly where she went.  It was through her Naval career that Helen was able to travel the world and work to keep our borders safe.

Just after the ball dropped and we came in to 2010 Helen found herself lounging around watching day time televisions wishing she had abs like the girl in the Ab King Pro commercial.  "I had always wished I had abs, I like to work out and have always had great shoulders but I also found myself increasingly unhappy with my waistline," says Helen who was never hugely overweight, but heavy enough to dislike the way she looked. 

Over the years Helen's attempt at exercise was haphazard.  "Sometimes I would ride my bike to work every day and participate in the Military fitness classes three times a week.  I would do this for six months and then I would stop.  I would convince myself that I was too busy to ride or work out."  When 2010 came around, Helen decided this was going to be her year some way or another.

"I was flipping through a magazine and saw an ad for Ideal Bodies Online.  I jumped on the web and checked out their website.  All the before and after photos convinced me I could do this, so I signed up," says Helen.

Some people need a support system like Ideal Bodies Online.  Utilizing their website as their outlet and source of information made Helen's journey much easier.  She was able to work with a coach and learn how to eat right and work out better to reach her goals.  "I think my proudest moment was about 8 weeks in to my 12 week fitness program when an acquaintance at work told me how good I was looking.  This was a person that had no obligation to compliment me at all; in fact, we had hardly ever spoken.  I think his comment meant more to me because it was given freely, with absolutely no hidden agenda.  It was a compliment that I could really take to heart. It spurred me on and made me workout harder which in turn made more compliments come my way."

Aside from Ideal Bodies Online, Helen has the support of her husband.  He encouraged her everyday and continually gave her compliments as well as pointed out how committed she was to reaching her goal.  Commitment is essential while consistency is key.

Sometimes life gets in the way and you hit a wall.  For Helen boredom almost got the best of her.  "Every afternoon when I come home from work I sit down to relax and then I have an almost overwhelming urge to eat anything that is in the house.  I have to remind myself of my goals and use all of my willpower to resist the urge.  I look at the pictures I have pasted in to my inspiration notebook and then I try to busy myself with something to take my mind off food.  I think this is the hardest time of the day for me and I really have to work hard not to give in to the cravings."

We asked Helen to give us some food for thought and this is what she had to say:

My philosophy is that fitness and good nutrition should be a lifestyle.  I shouldn't need to diet - instead I should always maintain a healthy eating regime.  I find that having clear goals helps me to maintain motivation.  It's much easier to work towards a clear cut goal; it gives you purpose.

When I feel myself losing motivation, I like to look at inspiration photos of other fit women.  I think top Figure competitor Diana Chaloux is great for inspiration.  Not only is she a successful figure competitor but she now runs her own fitness business.

I like to surround myself with positive role models and people who are going to encourage me and not try to sabotage my fitness goals.  I find that if you share your goals with your family and friends and let them know how important they are to you, it gives you ownership of your goals and makes you chase them harder to be a success in your family and friends eyes.

I don't believe there is anything women can't achieve.  Why should we restrict ourselves by claiming 'I'm a woman, I can't do that.'  These restrictions are imposed on us by society but are they physically there or just in our minds?

To reach for a goal you must really know what that goal is. Have your goals spelled out very clearly so that you know exactly what you are aiming for and believe that you can achieve them.  Read stories of other people successes.  This will help to spur you on when you know there have been people before you that have achieved what you wish to achieve.

Always set new goals when you've reached the one you're working towards.  Helen's next goal is to lower her body fat percentage.  "I really want a six pack; I also want to learn more about nutrition and fitness and how my body works," says Helen.

Helens' workout Split

Monday - Cardio
Tuesday - Cardio/Back and Triceps
Wednesday - Cardio
Thursday - Cardio/Legs and Shoulders
Friday - Cardio
Saturday - Chest, Biceps and Calves
Sunday - Rest Day

Helen's Daily Nutrition

Breakfast  - Oats with cottage cheese stirred through and topped with cinnamon
Morning Tea – Natural low fat yoghurt with a scoop of protein powder
Lunch – Chicken with rice and veggies
Afternoon Tea – Tuna and some almonds
Dinner – Lean beef with veggies

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