success stories: julie mcallister

"Working out is no longer an option"

	before	after
weight	195 lbs	135 lbs

my challenge

I was always a fairly thin and in-shape person who never really had to work at keeping fit in my twenties. At 5'7", I ranged from 125 to 135 pounds, but I was still always a bit self-conscious about certain aspects of my figure (mostly my upper thighs).

So, after my first pregnancy I thought I would easily shed the 60 pounds I gained. I only lost 20 pounds and the remaining 40 would not go away. I was very frustrated, because I really believed the weight was due to my pregnancy and not my eating habits and lack of exercise.

I tried dieting and aerobics, but it didn't make a dent. I was tired, even falling asleep on the sofa by 7:00 at night. I felt terrible and could not make it go away. I even went to my doctor to see if something was wrong physically. The tests showed nothing. So why did I feel so bad?

I did not like the way I looked on the outside or felt on the inside. I refused to go shopping for clothes any more because I was NOT going to shop at the "plus size" store. So I struggled through a closet full of old clothes that didn't really fit.

Finally, four years later, after carrying that extra weight around and giving in to shopping for a size 14/16, I decided to make some radical changes in my life. Not only was I not happy with my body, but I was unhappy with my life.

my training

I walked into the 24 Hour Fitness in Meridian, CO and signed up for a membership (thank goodness for my corporate discount which motivated me). This was the beginning of a very amazing transformation. From there, I signed up for my free fitness evaluation. I didn't know what to expect from this, but I thought it was a great opportunity to understand what I had been doing wrong.

While at my fitness evaluation, I explained to my trainer, Brian Lewis, that I had tried everything with no results and that I was at my wits end. Brian seemed to understand. But, more than that, he was full of great information and was very confident that we could get the results I needed. I ended up signing up for 3 months of personal training for three days per week (not a cheap adventure, but I looked at it as an investment in my life – and by far it's been the best investment I've ever made).

I told Brian that I would be his robot and do whatever he said for the three whole months. I would eat what he said, take whatever supplements he said and exercise how and when he said. This was the beginning of a brand new life for me.

First, we began with the exercise program. Next, Brian suggested that I begin to take supplements. He explained that a multivitamin would replenish the nutrients I was using during workouts.

Lastly, Brian taught me how my results are based 80% on what I put into my body. We began to slowly change my eating habits. Brian designed a menu that worked for me. As I am a very picky eater, he spent extra time to ensure that each meal was food that I would eat (not just the traditional rabbit food diet).

my results

Over time, I felt the difference, I wasn't hungry, I didn't crave afternoon sweets, my energy didn't dip and I was actually sleeping better than I had in years. Finally, I was seeing results. It was dramatic, 4 pounds in the first couple of weeks. It was great, I felt like I had broken the curse!

Slowly but surely, I became a believer! So, I continued with the program and with Brian's coaching and guidance, within the 1st year, I lost 30 of the 40 pounds that I could have never lost on my own. I decided to go it alone for awhile and then realized I wanted more. I was determined to really get "buff". I wanted that body I had never had before. I knew that now I had the tools and dedication to get it. I had worked out on my own for almost a year then decided I was going to look up Brian to get to that next level.

I signed up for more sessions, we set new goals, a new workout plan and a new menu. It was going to be challenging because we were really pushing my body to be something I've never been before.

I remember one day, Brian said to me that we were going to get down to 17-18 percent [body fat] which is where most 'models' usually are. And I said "Oh, really Brian…do you really think that can happen?" Of course he was confident, however I laughed inside and said …'sure, right' to myself. Well, one year after training together again, I was down to 17% body fat.

I know that today, I am a better person, a better mother, a better wife and a better friend than I was 3½ years ago. I am so thankful for that and for the opportunities this has provided in my life.

I owe so much of this to Brian and to 24 Hour Fitness. I am sold for life. It has changed so many things in my life. Working out is no longer an option. Thank you for everything!