“I love the fact that I can just buy clothes that I like, rather than clothes that hide parts of my body that I wasn’t happy with.”
55-year-old Sheila loves what she sees in the mirror again after completing a transformation that helped her lose three dress sizes and restore her confidence.
Going through menopause in her late forties had led to a decline in Sheila’s fitness along with unwanted weight gain. Running wasn’t working to shift the weight like it used to, and it felt like she was on a slippery slope into her sixties with her best days behind her.
She was losing hope until she came to Ultimate Performance. At first, she didn’t believe the results were possible for her…but focusing on weight training and eating right under the guidance of an experienced trainer she could see the changes happening week after week.
Now she’s 10kg lighter, she looks great, and loves buying clothes again. Not only that, she’s hitting record 5k run times and the self-belief she’s gained has carried over into work and other areas of her life.
In this Q&A with one of our expert trainers, Sheila talks about weight training for the first time and overcoming the side effects of the menopause…
What was your biggest motivation for joining U.P.?
I got to 55. I hit the menopause in my late forties and there was this obvious decline into weight gain which I’d never experienced before as I’d always been quite fit. I looked in the mirror and I didn’t like what I saw and needed to do something about it. My two daughters had gone to university 12 months prior, so I was kind of an empty-nester. I had more time for myself, and I wanted to invest in myself so that was the perfect moment for me.
What was your training routine like before coming to U.P.?
I always felt I was really fit. I’d been doing loads of cardio since my teens and had run a marathon. But I’d never done resistance training. I knew that as I got older and hit the menopause that resistance training was important for me and my health.
The success I saw from cardio in previous years all just stopped when I got the dreaded menopause. It literally stopped overnight, and I thought, what am I going to do about this?
I was worried that I would stay like that forever and that there was nothing I could do to change it. I felt like I was on a slippery slope to getting into my sixties and being a middle-aged woman with a very fat stomach, very top-heavy, and just feeling really uncomfortable and unhealthy.
Where do you think you’d be if you hadn’t made the decision to join U.P.?
I’d probably be about 5kg heavier and still not eating particularly well. I used to snack a lot, that was my biggest vice. I’d probably also be feeling that there was no hope and that despite doing so much cardio, nothing was changing.
What helped keep you motivated throughout your transformation?
The investment I got from my trainer was something I’d never experienced before. It was great. My trainer makes it really fun, and I have really enjoyed every session. I think we clicked straight away, and we have a good relationship. I work really hard, and he pushes me really hard, but it’s been fantastic. I’ve learned so much about resistance training and what to do when I’m not here at U.P.
The accountability from the U.P. app has also really helped me stay motivated throughout my transformation. I know my trainer is going to see it, so there’s nowhere to hide. If you cheat the app, you cheat yourself.
My trainer is as invested in my success as I am. It’s hands down the best thing about being at this gym. Even when he’s on holiday, he messages me to make sure I’m on track and I’ve never had that experience in my life.
Did you encounter any challenges along the way?
I think initially I didn’t believe in myself or believe I could do it. I saw the before and after pictures of other clients and felt like, yeah, but that’s them. I could never do that and that will never happen to me. But then as the transformation progressed, seeing the before and after pictures and the results week in, week out made me realise I can absolutely do this. It helped me to focus and be in the right mindset.
You mentioned you previously did a lot of cardio. Have any of the exercises surprised you?
I remember saying I couldn’t do a stomach crunch and I always thought I would never be able to do one. Now I can knock three sets of 10 out every day at home, no problem. And I really like doing them now, so that’s been a bit of an eye-opener for me.
How has your training benefitted you in other areas of your life?
It’s helped my life in so many areas, both physically and mentally. I look much better than I did and I’m super happy about that. I’ve also got a PB on a 5K that I run, which I’ve spent the last three years trying to achieve! I managed it in the time I’ve been here which was a real eye-opener – I’ve gained so much strength to help me run faster and get that PB.
We’re a fit family and we do a lot. We go to the gym, we run, and my partner is fit but it’s been interesting going to the gym with him. He’s asked me a few times to show him some technique, which he would never do before so that’s been amazing.
I still find it really odd going and buying clothes and I have to get two or three sizes smaller than I was, and that’s fun. I love the fact that I can just buy clothes that I like rather than clothes that hide parts of my body that I wasn’t happy with.
Mentally, the self-belief I have in myself is something that has really shocked me. And it’s transferred into my work too because I have more confidence and believe in myself a lot more. I learned that I can achieve far more than I ever realised, and I can take that belief into other areas of my life and do things I used to be afraid to do. Now I think, just give it a go!
That’s great to hear! Would you recommend U.P. to others?
I would recommend U.P. to other people. When I started on my transformation journey, I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be able to achieve what I have. Investing money in myself felt like a big risk and commitment but the return on investment has been immeasurable.
Physically I am stronger, fitter, leaner, aesthetically so much better; mentally I have so much more self-belief and confidence than I ever had before.
The magic ingredient that U.P. has over any other gym is the fact that my trainer is as committed to me reaching my goals as I am, and we worked together as a team. The accountability via the U.P. app helped keep me on track with my food and gave me direct contact with my trainer who was always happy to answer any questions or concerns.
I can’t thank Richard and U.P. enough for everything and I can’t wait to see how the next phase pans out as we work together to get me even stronger and fitter.
Sheila is heading towards her sixties fitter, healthier and more self-confident than ever. Don’t let menopause affect your health – contact Ultimate Performance today to find out how we can help you.
- We show you the best, we don't show you the worst.
- We show you people who follow the plans, not those who are all talk.
- We show you those who inspire even us with their commitment to their results.
- You cannot get results exactly like these. You are unique and that means you can only get your own best possible results.
- Your results are a function of time spent following the plan; your genetic response to the right exercise and diet program; how hard you train; how consistently you come to the gym; how disciplined you are with your diet; & your starting point.
- Oftentimes the lower your starting point (poor fitness, terrible body composition) the better your results.
- We cannot do the work for you and the results you see here are a testament to the work ethic of our clients.
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Our reputation is that we are the best trainers in the world for helping you to unlock your potential, & we can lead you to the door, give you the key, even turn the handle and push the door open, but we cannot walk through it for you.
In the end the result is down to you.
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