Adele dropped 13kg (29lbs) to become a fit, confident mother at 45
My body is responding exactly the way I wanted. I’m so much happier.
Adele had always struggled with her weight since her teenage years.
But now in her mid-forties and going through IVF treatment, losing weight became even harder than ever.
Now 45, and with her body going through a time of enormous change, she wanted to finally free herself of the burden and enjoy motherhood at her fittest.
With Ultimate Performance, she found a ‘perfect’ training plan, which could run alongside her plant-based diet. Read all about it here…
What motivated you to start your own personal training program at U.P.?
I've always felt big and had an issue with how I perceived myself, and I realised that I couldn’t carry on.
My weight crept up after IVF procedures and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found it harder and harder to lose it.
I decided U.P. was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ditch my old lifestyle and move forward.
What did your diet and lifestyle look like before partnering with your trainer?
My diet and lifestyle before U.P. were not the worst, but I did like to have a drink. My husband and I also like to eat out a lot.
For the past five years, I’ve followed a plant-based lifestyle, which has been a gradual process from being a meat eater. I’ve been making small adjustments along the way, and this was just the final leap.
How was your lifestyle making you feel, Adele?
The first time I came to U.P. and you asked me how I felt, I think I said I disgusted myself, or something quite hideous. But that was how I felt. It’s a feeling that has been with me throughout my entire life. U.P. has been a journey that I’ve had to mentally prepare myself for, but I was the one who allowed myself to get to this point.
I’m in control of what I put in my body and what I do with my body, and I’ve allowed this to happen. U.P. was the wake-up call I needed. I had breast reduction surgery when I was 21, and I felt great after that. But I just needed the rest of my body to catch up. It’s taken me 20 years to get there!
How do you feel about yourself now since you started your training program?
I feel stronger – a lot stronger. I’m also so much leaner which I’m thrilled about. It’s nice to be able to disregard a lot of the thoughts that would weigh me down. Little things like deciding what clothes I was going to wear has become a lot easier. It used to be a case of what was comfortable and wouldn’t make me look hideous. I don’t think like that anymore.
Plus, as I mentioned, I’ve gone through IVF many times. To have your body not comply with what it’s ‘meant’ to do, made losing weight a real struggle. Now, my body is responding exactly the way I wanted. I’m so much happier. My weight has been a burden not just my entire adult life, but even from the age of 11 or 12. Even though I wasn’t fat at that age, it’s been a burden.
How has your strength improved your overall health and fitness?
I’m much stronger. If I think back to three or four years ago, I was in so much pain I couldn’t even walk up the stairs.
I was literally on my hands and knees because my hips were that painful. I had physio sessions for that, but coming to U.P. and starting weight-based exercises has improved my strength and helped ease my pain.
I also hung up my running shoes after my injuries because I was in too much pain. Running’s always been something I’ve enjoyed, so it’s been great to start doing that again.
Finally, sum up your experience training at U.P.
Not too long ago, I didn't know U.P. existed – I didn't know this transformation existed. In my head, I had created this ideal world and program.
I happened to stumble across U.P. and realised this is exactly what I want, and the perfect plan does exist. It was like heaven on earth to be a part of it. To anyone else, just get started, and trust the process!
