In last weeks VLOG I mentioned people saying to me things like “well, it’s easy for you to work on your fitness Raechelle, you don’t have kids to take care of or an an office to go to every day”. So, I wanted to share with the nay-sayers, some gals that I know of who have families, jobs, households to take care of, and are not only fit, but went from very un-fit to being fabulous competitors whilst taking care of everything else! They made the time because they wanted to. They stopped making excuses and organised their lives to make time for their health.
Cath- 49 year old Nana who weighed 83kg (183 lbs) with Body Fat% of around 40% in January 2008, 16 months later I competed at 54kg (119 lbs) and 7% body fat in the INBA Brisbane Competition and placed 4th out of 8 in the Masters Figure Class. (Cath's blog)
Cath-before & after:
Tara- mother of three young children weighed a whopping 110kgs [242lbs] and lost an amazing 54kgs [119lbs] (Tara's blog)
Tara-before:
Tara-after:
Melita-single mother of two kids had gained a considerable amount of weight, an uncomfortable 40+ lbs (20 kilos). Melita was "bursting out of my size 12 clothes." (Melita's full story)
Melita-before:
Melita-after:
So, what's your excuse now?
Have a great week!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Fit because they WANNA BE!
Posted by Raechelle at 7:16 AM
Labels: before and after pics, Cathy McGillivray, fitness, health, Melita Jagic, motivation, Tara Suomalainen, weight loss, weight training
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25 comments:
Looooove your post today! Believe it or not, but Melita was (and still is) my inspiration from way back. I first saw her transformation story on bodybuilding.com about 18mths-2yrs ago, and I was truely inspired. And Cath is the one who gave me a gentle nudge about a month ago to just go for my dreams (getting on the stage!). So I am in total agreeance with you.....excuses, what excuses!!!!
There are NO excuses!
not even rain will stop me!
Those women are all very inspiring and goes to show that you can lose weight without resorting to surgery!
wow! thanks for posting those. I already had seen Cath and Tara but not Melita's before photo. I'm about the size of her before photo now so she's such an inspiration!
GREAT post girl! Glad you liked mine, too! Couldn't believe I did it!
Oh well the fact is I DID IT! LOL!
right on, girl! That should shut the naysayers up. All it takes is commitment and perseverance. End of story. Hurdles can be overcome if you want it bad enough.
:-)
OMG!
I had never seen a before shot of Cath...I just assumed she had always been a fairly fit person who had decided to take it a step further and compete - what she's done in such a short amount of time is unbelievable as are the other two girls and anyone else who chooses to turn their life (and body) around.
xxx
Not everyone wants to look like a body builder mate.
I don't.
I just want to be HEALTHY and HAPPY in my skin.
The before and after pics are amazing all the same.
This seems to be becoming a theme Raechelle and as a mother I am going to share my opinion about your obssession with us mothers finding time to exercise.
These photos are all of women who have been very successful at losing weight and changing their bodies.
The end.
From these photos I can't tell whether they are good people, whether they are loving people, supportive partners, good friends or caring and devoted mothers. All I can tell is that they have lost weight.
Big deal. There are far more important achievements than that.
Motherhood is not an EXCUSE not to exercise but it is very often a REASON (as those of us who actually are mothers know only too well).
I have been feeling increasingly irritated at you talking about a situation that you have not experienced.
You have no concept of what it is like to experience all of the physical changes to your body that being a mother entails let alone the complete and utter change of lifestyle and routine. Sometimes, depending upon the level of family support available to each individual it is completely IMPOSSIBLE to exercise when you are a mother, and quite frankly, NOT a priority. Like this past week when I have literally been trapped at home with a small child with a severe gastro bug vomiting and pooing 24/7.
"Fit because they wanna be"? If only it was that simple.
This is your blog and you can be as judgemental as you like but you should probably stick to topics that you have half an idea about.I for example wouldn't preach to you about alcoholism, but I could since I am completely immune to it's temptations.
I know only a little about Buddhism and it's principles but judging others seem at odds with my understanding of it. Focus on your own situation, us mothers have enough obstacles already!
To the gals that liked the blog today-cool!
Hi Rene, thank you for your comments. My intention is never to judge-simply to light a little fire under those that are motivated by things like before and after pics.
You are absolutely right; I know nothing of having children. That's why I chose to highlight gals who have had children.
No, we don't know by just looking at these pics what type of people they are-just like we don't know what type of person the fit models in magazines are either-does that mean they don't inspire?
I really am not judging-just throwing out ideas for people to think about-it's a fitness blog-fitness isn't just for people that don't have kids.
I am sorry I offended you.
thank you thank you for this post it is awesome!!
I have to agree, you know i know a mother who lost an amazing amount of weight by walking around her washing line with her kids playing on the grass. She then increased that to running and lost over 20 kilos. Its not rocket science.
Exercise is just moving your body more then you usually would, people think it has to include heavy weights and exobitant amounts of running, but that isnt the case.
I am not saying people dont have reasons to be overweight, because emotional eating serves a purpose in alot of people, and I think we as a society should be less judgemental towards overweight people, and more encouraging, because most people arent overweight because they choose to be.
I had an adrenal condition that saw it very hard for me to lose weight, I had trained with heavy weights 3-4 times per week, swam every day, walked with friends and played squash, ate very clean, and could only lose 100grams or so a week. It was hell, and very stressful to put in so much effort with little to no result, but I did it, stuck with it, and after getting treatment for my condition through a herbalist, it paid off. I could have given up as most people would have, but I kept trying determined to look after myself as best possible.
Brilliant post. And Melita looks bloody smashing!
Given that I'm not one either, I would like to see a mother respond to Rene's comment. I certainly agreed with the statement that for many new mothers exercise is simply not a priority at the time -understandably! I do share raechelle's frustration however, at anyone who constantly complains about their own situation and is so quick to assume that it is easier for someone else, due to x,y or z. Everyone's priorities are their own and it doesn't matter to anyone else what they are- I only ever "judge" people who say they want x but then do y.
Hi Ladies,
After reading the responses to this post today I was left with many mixed thoughts. The 3 women that Raechelle has highlighted have worked extremely hard to get to where they are today. They have juggled, scheduled and prioritised their days to do everything they need as well as the things that they want (exercise, nutrition, etc). Just because these people have been highlighted by another blogger (who does not have children) does not mean that they are the poster girls for fit mothers. I think Raechelle's intentions were to provoke and instigate some motivation in some people. We all know somebody who always comes up with a million reasons NOT to exercise (not necessarily become a bodybuilder) and sometimes a little inspirational nudge helps.
As for these 3 ladies and their weight loss....it is a big deal. It is a big deal to them, their families and their friends. Having children is one of the most wonderful experiences in the world, but so is taking care of yourself. These ladies are role models to their children and families, and it is not just the number on the scale that determines their worth, it is the strength of mind, the dedication, the persistence and the consistent patience that they all needed to get where they are today. All qualities a mother needs when raising her children.
I am a mother of two littlies (a 3yr old and a 6 yr old) and my hubby is constantly away busy with work. Up until recently I did not live near family either. I am also an early childhood teacher and worked full time up until this year. And I always found/find time to exercise. I used to do my training at night when my babies were sleeping, or during the day when they were sleeping, or put them in the pram and get out and about with them. Where there's a will there's a way......especially if you really want it. I never believe that it is IMPOSSIBLE to exercise when you are a mother. Being a good mother is another role in life that some of us women take on, but also being a woman means we are great at multi-tasking.
As a fit mother, I also make judgement calls on when and where I exercise. If my children are sick, then I may miss my training until they are better. But, I don't use it as an excuse NOT to exercise and be healthy.
Being a fit mum, means I am active and full of energy to be engaged in lots of play with my children, my husband, my work......and still find time in my 24hr days to fit training and eating healthy in!
Cheers Ana!
Thanks SS-glad you were able to work through your health issues!
Yes Steph! Exactly! :-)
Hi Raechelle, just wanted to post a comment to Rene's comment...
I may be a Nana now, but I am still a Mum too, still have the stretch marks to prove it! I also work full time, do all the housework and cooking, Im a wife and a caring daughter to elderly parents.. All of which I managed around my training. Fitness has shown me that I can be all of these things and still have energy to burn (most of the time!)even though I am nearly 50. Being fit has given me the focus to be caring, faithful, loyal and supportive cause I am no longer living in a world of disgust at myself.
My daughter is a Mum and after seeing what I achieved she is now going to the gym four days a week and she works the other three! She has a 2 year old and a 5 year old who hasn't started prep yet, so she has them both with her when she goes to they gym which has a very very small child minding room... and what is really fabulous is her 5 yr old loves to show his Mum and Nana how he too can do press ups and be "Helfy" like us. Yes she has had to miss days because of vomitting children, and a vomitting husband as well, but that doesn't stop her getting back into it as soon as she can...
Sorry Rene, but I think that as Mums are very important roll models they should be spending time looking after themselves and being as healthy as they can!! This will also help children see that looking after themselves is an important part of life, which they will hopefully carry through to when they are at those scary teenage years!
Rene, every one has a story, a reason, a problem, a scar. Everyone. Some choose to carry them like a banner as a reason to not reach their dreams. Some choose to fold them neatly and leave them as a reminder in the corner then to get on with squeezing every inch of living out of their life..
Sorry Raechelle for the long comment!!!! I could actually go for longer but I hate to see younger women wasting their lives and then using their children as an excuse!!!
Thank you so much Lauren and Cath! Both very eloquentlly written comments!
:-)
I am totally blown away by those women.
Here Here!! Great post and as always it's designed to make you think. Mission accomplished.
Lauren & Cath you both have great attitudes and it's obvious that you don't use any excuse to not look after your health and well being. You're both so right, what lessons do we teach those around us if we're not looking after ourselves first.
Life is about choices, whether it be to have children or not have children. There are always consequences to making a choice and just because you chose one and not the other doesn't give anyone the right to disregard the others opinion.
I serve my country so that every individual that lives here has a voice. Freedom of speech is what it's about Raechelle. ;o)
xxx
I find it amazing that alot of people use the ol' "I don't have time". c'mon its just an excuse. I have 4 kids and can usually find time for some sort of exercise. Even if its a 10 minute walk. When I don't do it its because I just cant be stuffed.
Just ask these people who "don't have time" about the latest TV shows or celebrity gossip or ask what they are reading and I'm sure they'll tell you. Motherhood is not an excuse unless somone in your family is on their deathbed(GODFORBID). These people plain & simply can't be bothered.We all have the same 24 hours hello!
And just because you don't have kids doesn't mean your not busy with other things does it? It's like saying motherhood is hard. It's only hard if you make it hard.Its yet another great excuse.
Sorry for being so cynical but honestly people just pretend or live in fantasy land. If your life is truly that busy then so slow it down. You make it what it is, no one else does that for you!
By the way the girls in the transformations are truly inspirational.
Oh I forgot. they seem to have time to blog or surf the internet!!
You could be doing squats or pushups INSTEAD. Nah, you just can't be bothered.
Bec when I was nursing my mum full time leading to her passing I stopped looking after myself. When in actual fact there was the time albeit not very much of it. What stopped me from exercising was me and me alone. I wasn't motivated, inspired and in retrospect too busy wallowing in my own self pity. Given I was entitled as I lost my dad during this process as well but I certainly never played the I don't have time card at any stage. I did, but I chose not to exercise and I obviously paid the price for it. But again, I don't blame mum and dad's death but my lack of judgement at the time for possibly not handling my health and fitness better. I chose the easy way out, that's all.
We all have a story and we all have different circumstances but nothing and I mean nothing prevents us for looking after ourselves.
xxx
I don't usually comment on blogs but this latest 'discussion' has triggered me to put pen to paper, so to speak. Raechelle, this is your blog, and you are entitled to your own opinions without being berated or chastised. You were merely responding to others' comments that you have it 'easy' as you work from home and have no children and can therefore devote as much time as you want to your fitness. You illustrated that there are some amazing women who manage to juggle family, career and fitness because being fit and of a lean body weight is important to them. Since it is their passion, they make sure they eat and train to attain the physique they aspire to. You certainly didn't mean this as a personal attack on anyone and if people are feeling a little sensitive and vulnerable about their own fitness goals, they shouldn't read your posts. I applaud you for handling those comments with such grace and aplomb because if it were me, I don't think I would have been as composed!
Too right Lia! I love a good debate! :-)
Wow Bec, 4 kids! I have a girlfriend with 4 kids (even home schools them) and she still gets up earlier than the kids 3 days a week to exercise...and then feels great afterwards! so good on ya!
Thank you Anonymous! If I can't take a few hits here and there, I suppose I shouldn't be blogging.
:-)
cheers all!
Great post, inspirational
love it.
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