The day I could no longer fit into my favorite jeans was when I knew I had to make a lifestyle change. That was my breaking point. I had been living in Singapore for about 8 months then. I was at my heaviest weight, I ordered take out 2-3 times a day and consistently chose happy hours over going to the gym. It wasn’t just about how I looked or who I saw in the mirror. It was about my low energy level, bad habits I’ve built and wanting to change my lifestyle to a better one.
One thing that surprised me most about the entire process is the mindset shift that comes along with the external transformation. And really seeing what you can achieve when you put your mind to it. I didn’t have any specific expectations going starting out at ATP besides to lose weight. What I got of it was way more than I bargained for. Making a conscious effort to choose food that will give me sustained energy, choosing to prioritize my workouts because I know I will feel incredible afterwards, and choosing to challenge myself and seeing what I can do! At the end of the day, it’s ultimately your choice. We have one life, one body – might as well take the best care of it 🙂
ATP has and continues to change my life. I started my personal training and health/fitness journey in January 2020 with Jacqueline Toh and I haven’t looked back since.
I was not expecting a full lifestyle change by joining ATP. It’s more than just going in for workouts and a meal plan, it’s about breaking bad habits and setting better ones for yourself that will last a lifetime.
It’s easy to make your workouts and training a backburner in the midst of our busy schedules, but utilizing your time management skills will pay off in the long run. If you have happy hours/dinners planned after work, then get your workout in the morning. Not a morning person? Try to squeeze in a quick workout mid-day. There’s 24 hours in a day, you can squeeze in that workout!
If you’re doing everything according to your trainer’s recommendations and sticking to the plan, the results will show up one day and you won’t even notice the changes that your body is going through. Focusing on the results too much could potentially sway your progress. If you’re putting in the work, it’s impossible there’s no output.
It’s all about your mindset and the attitude you put forth. Cravings and temptations will never go away, but you have to figure out if that momentary bliss is worth derailing you off your bigger goals. You have to figure out what you’re willing to sacrifice and what you’re not. Communicate that with your coach and you can make it work into your lifestyle change.
I don’t think we give ourselves enough credit for the little wins we achieve. Being able to lift 1kg more than the day before, or shave off a few seconds from our 5k runs is absolutely important to celebrate!
Aside from your coach, it’s important to have your life cheerleaders to help you stay on track. Share your progress photos with, help keep you accountable and on track!
My mindset about nutrition has changed as well. I’m far more educated, make much better choices, and don’t feel the need to overeat when I feel stressed or worried. All these things added up to have such a profound impact on my life.
I’m also very proud that I didn’t give up and stuck to my plan to get my new body.
My coach has given me a comprehensive workout program to keep me busy during the Circuit Breaker – each day, I know what training I need to get done. Since, I’ve been working from home, it was even more critical for me to create a routine and structure that worked for me and my new working situation. I’m in constant communication with my coach, and she has helped me stay motivated especially on the tough days.
It’s been quite an adjustment from the gym to home workouts. I have kept in mind that this situation is not permanent, and that ATP will be able to open their doors again when it’s time. I’m doing what I can to continue to be active, prioritize my mental health and take each day as it comes. Each week, I’ve been challenging myself to increase reps/weights and which continues to fuel my energy to keep going and push myself even more!
I’ve gotten to know my coach very well over the past few months, which has built a great foundation for our continued training during the lock down. She’s listened to my concerns in adjusting my program to accommodate the changes brought on by the lock down. She knows how to keep me motivated and is able to continue to give me advice on how to continue my progress through check-ins and being accessible through different modes of communication.
*Results will vary from individual to individual
**Results are based on each client’s circumstances.
