Sharna Haller - From Frumpy To Fabulous

There comes a moment in your life when you realise enough is enough! My moment came one morning in 2008, when the depressed, frumpy, unhealthy, and unhappy person staring back at me from the mirror, was not the person I wanted, or aspired, to be. I had let myself go!  As horrible as I felt at the time, little did I know this was actually going to be the catalyst that changed my life and set me on the most amazing and rewarding journey I could have ever imagined.

Being a personal trainer and a busy mother of three young boys, I spent much of my time looking after other people’s needs and goals. In the process,  I had neglected myself! My own goals had fallen by the wayside and I was feeling flat and unmotivated. Things had to change!  I scoured the internet for hours looking for tips and motivation to help me get myself back on track!  I was determined that this was going to be my year!  I'll never forget the day I came across the Ideal Bodies Online website. I was immediately drawn to the amazing physiques in the before and after photos and I spent hours reading and rereading the success stories of ordinary people like me.

I needed little convincing. I signed up for a 12 week program and was over the moon with the results. For the first time in a long time, I felt fit and healthy. My body was in its best shape ever! The initial 12 weeks were not always easy. Like any Mum there was temptation all around – the kid’s half eaten sandwiches, birthday parties and family gatherings; plus finding the time to exercise.  In week 8 I had a major setback when I my leg was in plaster for 3 weeks.  Instead of letting myself get down about it, I was determined to concentrate on the things I could do and to stop focusing on what I couldn’t.  I kept my nutrition as clean as possible, did all the exercise I could, and continued to weight train my upper body.  At the end of the 12 weeks my reflection was a smiling, happy, fit and fabulous person. Not only had I transformed my body but I had I adopted a complete new lifestyle. I was one of the success stories! I maintained my results for the following year.   I was so grateful to the Ideal Bodies Online Team and was so blessed to join them as a Feedback Coach and to help others in their personal health and fitness journey.

I have always been a determined person and with my new body life was suddenly full of new possibilities. I had always dreamed of competing in a figure competition but doubted myself, saying “I could never look like that”.  Over time I had become comfortable and complacent. Then came my second light bulb moment!  Why not?  It was time to move the goal posts and set myself a new challenge. I realised I was no different to any of these other women who have changed their life.  I made the decision that I was going to compete the following year!  I was determined to put in 110% so I could get up on that stage with no regrets, knowing I had given it my all!  I did not care about wining or placing, my goal was to look like I belong.   I recruited the help of Kristin Gleeson and Sue Heintze of Ideal Bodies Online and got to work on my fantastic training and nutrition programs.

All mums have to work on their juggling act, and this was the biggest hurdle for me -keeping a happy balance between training, dieting, working, studying, and being a mother and wife!  To achieve all that I needed to do, I needed structure. Each week I planned and prepared my meals and had all my exercise, work and study scheduled around my diet!  At the back of my mind “No excuses – no regrets”!  I got the whole family involved. We would have family time where we went bike riding, bushwalking or hired a tennis court – this way I was able to spend quality time with them and manage some exercise as well!  I would set the alarm for 4.45am to perform my cardio sessions so I could get it done and still have time to organise the kid’s for school. I was going to give this my all!

It certainly was not always easy – nothing worth doing ever is. I sat through birthday parties, lunches and other social occasions with my container of broccoli and chicken thinking “what am I doing?”. Some days it was a struggle to get through the training and at times even the simple things like hanging out the washing seemed hard! I just kept reminding myself that I have set a goal and I am going to see it through......and that I did! On September 12 2010 I walked onto the stage in the ANB Newcastle Classic and I belonged!

This entire process has taught me many things. Things about myself that I never knew. I am a fit, strong and determined person!  Self doubt will only see you spending life on the sidelines. Ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things if you are willing to put in the hard work!

Being up on that stage was the proudest moment of my life. Seeing my family in the crowd with beautiful, proud smiling faces and hearing “go mummy” made it all worthwhile. I know I still have areas to work on so I consider myself a “work in progress”. The exciting bit now is, wondering what the next year will bring!