"Now I understand it’s okay to spend time looking after me"

As a teacher and single mum to two beautiful daughters, Lisa devoted her life to others. However, in 2015 with her youngest child completing year 12, she had a realisation that it was time to make herself and her health a priority.

Both my girls were really involved in school activities which always kept me really busy,” says Lisa. “I realised once they were both finished high school I would have a lot more spare time. I started thinking about what I would do for me. I felt like my whole lifetime was invested in my kids and in turn, I had forgotten about taking care of myself.”

After seeing LifeShape Clinic on Facebook, Lisa made an appointment with the Clayfield clinic. While she is the first to admit she had her hesitations, Lisa was surprised about how confident she felt in the program after her initial assessment.

“I thought I would walk in and see a completely unrelatable consultant, and if that was the case I knew this just wasn’t going to work,” remembers Lisa. “However, the Dietitian I met with and continued to see throughout my program was so realistic. I felt so comfortable with him and I was confident he had the tools to help me break my unhealthy habits.”

Lisa had previously tried other weight loss programs and fad diets, with limited amounts of long term success. However once on the LifeShape program, was quick to see positive results.

“I lost around six or seven kilograms in the first three to four weeks, so I could see an almost instant result,” says Lisa. “This was in part due to the use of the program’s own meal replacement range. I was sceptical at first, because I’d tried chemist brand meal replacement options unsuccessfully in the past. However, it was explained to me that their role in the program was to start back from basics. They are simply a tool to help disassociate negative relationships with food. I’d never seen it used like that before.”

Lisa’s dedicated team of clinicians also helped her feel completely supported during her program, allowing her to be open and honest in talking about how her week had been.

“I never once felt judged. Some days I’d go in and say ‘I’ve had a lot of wine this week!’” laughs Lisa. “But my Dietitian’s response would help me reset for the next week. I was never made to feel like I had disappointed him and therefore never felt discouraged – I always felt supported.”

Due to the one on one appointments, Lisa also acknowledges the benefit of the personalised nature of advice she was given throughout her LifeShape program.

“One of the best parts of the program is feeling that everyone is focused on you. I didn’t have to tell my story a million times; everyone was always on the same page,” says Lisa. “I always felt like my clinicians really listened to what was going on with me. The team was always able to identify when additional stress was affecting my progress and offered support to help me through it. One day when I was feeling stressed from some work pressures, my Dietitian and I didn’t even talk about food at that appointment.”

Apart from the support from LifeShape staff, Lisa was spurred on by the encouragement of her daughters.

“My eldest, who would see me every few weeks would instantly notice the physical changes,” says Lisa. “However my youngest, who still lives at home, has also been encouraged to make positive lifestyle changes. She now has a longer term focus on eating better and has learned with me. Both have been incredibly supportive of the lifestyle changes I’ve made, and I feel like a better role model because of it.”

Apart from better nutrition and a healthier mindset, Lisa also says she’s finding elements of her daily life have improved and finds incorporating physical activity into her routine easy.

“I’m rediscovering and enjoying things that don’t hurt anymore. Nothing aches!” says Lisa. “Getting in and out of my canoe is easier and my stability is different. I have more strength. As a keen sailor, I can once again move around the boat easily. I am sailing again! My Exercise Physiologist was very understanding that I didn’t want to flog myself at the gym. He helped me make physical activity normal and anything I did over my 20 minutes per day was a bonus.”

After completing her program and losing 25.4kg^, Lisa feels like she has gained long term tools which she can implement to maintain her good health.

“After doing the program, I feel happier and healthier,” admits Lisa. “I definitely feel like I have the skills to manage this long term. Now I understand it’s okay to spend time looking after me. I’m more mindful in taking me time, and I’m a better mum because of it. The changes were so gradual, they have just become ingrained as second nature.”

Even though she feels confident to continue what she learned on the program on her own, Lisa admits she will still schedule quarterly catch ups with her Dietitian.

“For me, I feel committed, but I know I have to make my health a priority in my life. I can’t just forget about it,” says Lisa. “What I’ve learned will be with me always. I have a toolkit to use when I need it.  I know I need to maintain a healthy work life balance, maintain boundaries and keep in my routine. I can recognise now that taking a moment during your day to sit and eat your lunch isn’t going to disrupt anyone’s day.”

In the beginning, Lisa was worried her nine month program would feel like it was going forever. Looking back now she can’t fault the program and is grateful for the regular, weekly appointments.

“Everyone I came across was helpful, friendly and encouraging. Not once did I get the cold shoulder or a lack of interest,” explains Lisa. “Now, I am looking forward to maintaining a life of balance thanks to LifeShape Clinic.”

^Your results may vary. To find out what you can achieve on your LifeShape Program book a no obligation initial assessment with one of our Dietitians, call 1800 567 348. Alternatively you can register your interest online.




 

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Our Disclaimer: All client testimonials are genuine accounts of experiences on the LifeShape program. Due to the personalised nature of the LifeShape program, results may vary based on an individual’s compliance, motivation and personal history.

Acknowledgement to Country: LifeShape Clinic acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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