She’d trained for years with PTs and online coaches, but never saw any real changes in the mirror.Diet was her biggest struggle. Whatever she tried, Ashwini just couldn’t lose weight around her middle, and told herself she’d never get abs.

Yet, within 16 weeks of joining Ultimate Performance, she’s stripped away 7.6kg (16lbs) of fat, her skin is glowing with health, and she’s got the toned stomach she always wanted.

Ashwini explains how U.P.’s training methods and nutrition principles helped her achieve results so quickly that she thought were impossible…

She’d trained for years with PTs and online coaches, but never saw any real changes in the mirror.

Diet was her biggest struggle. Whatever she tried, Ashwini just couldn’t lose weight around her middle, and told herself she’d never get abs.

Yet, within 16 weeks of joining Ultimate Performance, she’s stripped away 7.6kg (16lbs) of fat, her skin is glowing with health, and she’s got the toned stomach she always wanted.

Ashwini explains how U.P.’s training methods and nutrition principles helped her achieve results so quickly that she thought were impossible…

What was your main motivation to start training with Ultimate Performance?

I had a PT before this, and we were just weight training. I wasn’t focusing on diet, and I wasn’t working towards a physique or anything like that. I think I was focusing on my strength and just getting to know the gym, how to use the equipment. It was good for that, but I was lacking the diet component of it. My goal was just getting started basically. About eight months later I was like, “okay, I want to work towards something”. I researched for something like U.P. and when I found it, I regretted not doing it from the start. I was using the Boditrax machine before, and it was so confusing to me. I didn’t feel like I knew what I was doing, and I wanted a professional who was also trained in diet.

How did your goals and expectations change after the first session?

I thought I was lean and wanted to add bulk on top, but I didn’t realise that I’d gained quite a bit of weight from just eating rubbish. I didn’t understand the importance of diet. I’d done an online PT course and had lost around 2kg, but I found that really hard because it was a very strict diet and with training alongside it was hard to stick to.

I think I tried to get abs and I was like, “I can’t get abs.” It’s not going to happen sort of thing. So I was just like, it was easier for me to bulk. I think in my head it was “if I can’t get abs, I may as well get stronger in middle.” When we took the pictures, it was a wake-up call. I didn’t realise how I was eating and how I physically looked.

Once we’d taken the initial progress photos measurements, your main goal shifted towards fat loss. How did you feel about making that a priority and dieting to bring your abs out?

I got excited when I spoke to my trainer because I felt like I was going to get abs. I am Asian and I’ve heard that we carry a lot more fat around our belly. I had been researching and going on Instagram to find out more, but it was all too much information. And when I spoke to my trainer, I had a set goal that I was going to work towards, and it was going to happen. I decided it was going to happen.

How did you find the diet element of the program?

I found it easier than when I did the online PT course. I think it was because I had more freedom with what type of foods I could eat and because I was working towards a goal. Dieting is the hardest part for me because I’m used to my mum’s curries and my family eat rubbish all the time so there’s temptation everywhere for me. If I’m being honest, I shocked myself because I didn’t think I could do that, but I’ve learned so much about nutrition from my trainer. My diet and eating habits have completely changed.

What are the biggest things that you feel like you’ve changed for the better?

Eating more whole foods has made me feel much more energised. I didn’t think I’d be able to continue eating broccoli and chicken, but I’ve clearly created a habit and it makes me feel good. That’s something I noticed throughout the whole process. Feeling better has helped me keep good habits.

Do you think having clear goals helped you make those changes?

Yeah, I would never do something unless I’m under pressure. That’s just the way I work. I need something to push me. The photoshoot was nice to look forward to because the whole time I was going on the website and just looking at everyone’s transformations because it just motivates me.

Most of our clients will probably train with us more frequently than the amount that we did. But how has the training we’ve done together influenced your training by yourself?

When I first came to U.P., I wanted to see your training process to see how I could apply it to my own to get the most out of my training. I felt like I got that. Before, I was getting a lot of back pain and wanted to get the exercises right. In the five months I’ve been training with U.P. I haven’t had any back pain. Now I can teach my friends as well.

When we were initially doing three sessions a week, I found that good and I knew I’d eventually have to go off and do it by myself. It was good that I had a chunk of time where I was training intensively as I got a taste of what that’s like. When we had the weekly check-ins, my trainer was always thorough, and I had the freedom to message at any point as well, so I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything.

What are your biggest takeaways from your time with U.P?

My diet has changed forever now. Before I came to U.P. I would eat a lot of processed foods, and I just didn’t understand the importance of eating whole foods and how good it makes you feel. Even drinking water. I wasn’t drinking that much water before, and now I can drink four litres a day.

I’ve changed jobs as well and now work from home which helps me keep up those good habits. Another really big thing for me was the steps. Now I love walking, I love getting outside. I’ve completely changed, and my mental health has improved as well. And it is not just me. I have an impact on my family and my friends. I’m the type of person that wants to help other people, so they’ve all changed as well as me.

What have you learned about yourself in the time you’ve trained at U.P.?

I’ve realised I really enjoy the process. I like learning about nutrition and how to exercise but in general, if I want to achieve something, that is a big motivation. It was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, especially the nutrition side for me as it’s been such a big change to my diet. But if something seems achievable then that motivates me to do it. Even though it was tough, I like a challenge, and with fitness you can continuously surprise yourself. The body is capable of a lot more than the mind thinks.

What advice would you give to anyone starting with U.P?

If you have a physique that you want to work towards, I think just knowing that you will get there. Because when you are out in a commercial gym and you have a PT, I don’t think they give you the impression that you’re going to get to where you want to be.