Client Spotlight

Being a nutritionist and personal trainer is such a rewarding job. Educating people to make healthier choices and reach their potential gives me such a high. I get all warm and fuzzy when clients tell me how much I’ve influenced their life in a positive way. Every client is special to me and I really love building relationships with clients beyond just client and coach.

Today I want to share with you an amazing transformation... Stacey was one of my initial clients when I started my business. I originally met Stacey through a mutual friend about 18 months ago. Stacey later attended a nutrition workshop I hosted and then signed up for nutrition coaching - since that time she has made incredible progress in her body composition as well as her mindset. I recently sat down with Stacey, to talk more about her transformation. Here are a few key stats before we get started with her interview…

Prior to starting with EmpowerMe Stacey was walking twice a week, netball once a week and had just started circuit training 3 times per week / approx. 45mins with another trainer.

• Start date with EmpowerMe Nutrition & Fitness - nutrition coaching - August 2020
  In January 2021` we added in weekly Personal Training with a major strength focus

• Current exercise regime - runs 2 x week (approx 5kms), circuit trains 3 x week, 1 x PT strength training, 1 x netball (seasonal), daily steps 10k

• Starting weight - 74kgs BMI 25.6 (overweight)
  Current weight - 63/4kgs BMI 22.1 (healthy)

• Weight loss to date - 11kgs!

• 170cm tall

• Age 38

• April 2019 L3/L4 TLIF and disc replacement

• 4 children

• Works full time

• Husband works away

Looking at your transformation photos - describe how you feel seeing your change? I am truely amazed at my transformation, I have a lot more confidence in myself and the way I look. I don’t hate looking at myself in the mirror anymore.

What did you learn about yourself in the process? I learnt that yes I can do it, yes I do have time, and that these 2 phrases are just excuses. I have also learnt a lot about nutrition.

What have you found most surprising during your journey? I found that when I first started I was not eating near enough food.

What was the most difficult challenge? Was the very first day - turning up.

How has your mindset changed? My mindset now knows what I want and how to do it. My mindset is now on the right path because of how much I have achieved. I wasn’t always like this though. I have had many failures but I know how to get back to where I need to be.

What have you learnt along the way? I have learnt that anyone can do this. I have learnt self control and I have learnt so much about what goes in your mouth.

Would you recommend Rachel from EmpowerMe and why? I definitely would recommend Rachel (I already do). She is an awesome trainer, she has a great knowledge of nutrition and is happy to help when needed. She has also become a very good friend.

What would you say to readers who might think 'I don't have the time' or 'I could never do that'? I would basically laugh at them and ask them why? Why don’t you have time? I always thought being a wife, mother of 4 children and a director of a company who works fulltime at home would never have time to do this. I made time and now it is just part of my life. If someone said that to me ‘I could never do that’ I would ask them why? Why couldn’t you do it? I would explain my injuries (from my knee, to my kidney and then my major injury: my lower back). If I can do it, anyone can it!! And I would also say Stop Making Excuses! It will get you nowhere!!

I honestly would like to say thank you to you Rachel! I wouldn’t be where I am today withour your help.
Thank you so much,
Stace

Stacey has been a model client. She has been incredibly consistent and adherent throughout the entire process - and this is why she looks the way she does. If you cannot be consistent or adherent to a program then you have to ask yourself if this the approach for you. There was nothing magical about her transformation in terms of supplements or fasting or cutting out entire food groups.

The first thing I did with Stacey was educate her about food choices and how weight management works. Stacey and I decided that a meal plan would be a great way for her to understand more about how she could eat a diet that was more nutrient dense that supported her weight loss goal. Stacey took the bull by the horns and started reading labels and educating herself about food choices. From there Stacey started tracking her food intake with calorie and macronutrient targets set by me which put her into a calorie deficit. I also used periods of what is known as ‘diet breaks’ which is a short term break (7-10 days) of higher calories to prevent her from plateauing her weight loss. Stacey checks in with me fortnightly, online and we now (since Jan this year) PT once a week to develop her strength where we really focus on building more shape in her body composition. Stacey is very close to her goal weight where we will then shift towards a maintenance phase. This is where she will slowly transition away from tracking her food intake over time and continue to build and maintain her strength.

Working with Stacey has been an incredible honour. I love it when clients are compliant and trust the process. Working with someone for longer periods gives me the confidence that they have developed healthy lifelong habits. No one builds a habit overnight. It takes a LONG time to wire these pathways in our brains to make these good habits the default option. Well done on all you’ve achieved Stacey, you are amazing and inspire me x