Kathy Marusic

I’m 42, a wife, mother and a freelance writer. I’ve just experienced an amazing transformation of mind and body. No longer do I take daily doses of painkillers for my osteo-arthritis and I’ve smashed the myth that people with hypothyroidism can’t be slim and feel great.

If we really want to change we can … my journey started with a beautiful photo. When a friend gave me a photo she’d taken of me and five five year olds, not all mine, walking along a path at the zoo, all linked by hands I wondered who’s the woman with the booty? It was mine! The unhealthy booty didn’t represent who I thought I was or how I thought I looked. I exercised regularly. I thought I ate well. What was I doing wrong? How could I fix this problem once and for all?

Ideal Bodies On-line (IBO) provided practical nutritional and exercise programs and on-line support. My husband, Jake is so proud of my achievements so much so that he is now doing IBO too!

I Learned More About Myself In 12 Weeks Than I Have In 10 Years

I learned and remedied more about myself in these 12 weeks that I have in ten years. I also discovered that I need and enjoy my chicken breast and blanched green veggies more than a few chocolates. Goals and affirmations played a huge part of my success. They were stuck all over the house and office.

I had to be nutritionally prepared and exercise organised. I scheduled all of my exercise in my diary six weeks ahead. Kristin prepared my training program so that I could do some of the cardio and weight sessions from home—this was a great benefit. Early morning starts were a key to my success. My husband and daughter, Nina who is five were key supporters. I’d be sprinting on the stationary bike and my daughter would be yelling out from the family room, “go mummy go you can do it”.

I knew food would be my biggest hurdle. IBO really helped me understand what and how much I needed to be healthy.

In The Past I Would Have Chucked Everything In!

Having a head cold at the beginning and then a two-week chest infection close to the end didn’t help but that’s life and reality. I just took on board what my IBO mentor Hilary suggested – rest, recover and keep moving forward. In the past I would have chucked everything in and felt sorry for myself.

Each month we go away in our campervan for a long weekend. Kristin also prepared a holiday resistance-training program to follow in conjunction with my cardio program. I had some of my best interval runs along deserted beaches and enjoyed resistance training in the caravan parks.

This journey not only transformed my body but also healed my mind. I feel terrific, euphoric, and surreal. Just like giving birth. A pivotal point in my life.

Knowing what and how much to eat to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle and achieve my ideal body dreams is now part of my life. The dedicated team at IBO taught me that it’s not about being perfect but about being consistent and patient.

Success Tips:

1.    If you make a mistake or stray off-plan don’t feel guilty, get over it and keep moving forward.
2.    Stick affirmations in various rooms of your home … I am on my journey to the NEW me, I am the NEW me.
3.    Have key supporters who ‘really’ appreciate what you want to achieve. For me that was my husband, Jake and the IBO team.
4.    Be prepared! Plan your weekly meals and note them in pencil on weekly nutritional sheets. Prepare some of your meals a couple of days in advance e.g. chicken cooked, salads washed and veggies steamed.
5.    Goals: Break your main goal down into weekly and daily goals and write them at the top of your nutritional sheets and stick one on the fridge, your bathroom mirror and your office.

Favourite Recipes:

Baked Chicken Breast - One organic chicken breast enclosed in loose but sealed alfoil with juice from a quarter of a lemon and baked in an open Pyrex dish at 150 degrees for 25-30 minutes (fan forced). Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Unwrap, slice and enjoy the tender breast with salad or steamed green veggies.

Berry-Delicious Smoothy - 1 serve of MRM Vanilla Protein Powder, 125ml cold water, 100g frozen raspberries. Blend and enjoy!

Supplements:

• MRM Protein Powders  … delicious, adaptable, satisfying. Love using vanilla in my porridge in the mornings and the chocolate flavour satisfies any chocolate cravings. “I really look forward to my protein shake after weight training.”
• Horley’s Low Carb Bars and Crunch Bars … delicious and a great snack when on the run. Once again a fantastic chocolate substitute by way of taste but getting all the protein and healthy benefits.
• L-Glutamine … a necessity for recovery. I noticed the difference when I ran out once for a few days.
• Durathon … assisted in shifting fat from my body. Never made me feel unwell.
• Daily multi-vitamin supplement and Vitamin C.