“For 20 years I was wrongly treated for depression.”

Lisa’s story is a powerful one. Not only has she lost over 40lbs, she’s also taken back control of her life.

What made you start personal training at PP?

For 20 years I was wrongly treated for depression. During this time my weight constantly fluctuated. I did various diets including Weight Watchers and Slimming World and developed an eating disorder where I would binge daily and then drink lots of water to wash my stomach out. I would even do this after a cup of coffee.

Consequently, this made me very ill and made the people around me very angry. I battled physically and mentally with my body image, I was absolutely disgusted by myself.

In 2014 following some very stressful events in my life I had a mental breakdown and was admitted to Langley Green hospital for a period of time. During my stay, I was diagnosed with a personality disorder “BPD”.

This is an emotional intensity disorder that is very close to Bipolar however rather than having long periods of time where you are elated or very low and depressed, with BPD your moods can go from one extreme to the other constantly throughout the day. When I was discharged I was on 14 tablets per day trying to control the condition.

Related: Molly Went: From body hang-ups to new found self-confidence

My weight increased to the highest it had ever been at 198lb and my disgust towards myself and my appearance was worse than ever. On and off for the next six months, I was on my knees mentally, I wanted to die.

I had such horrific self-hatred for the way I was, the way I had been, my poor skills at parenthood and being a wife. I had a lot of appointments with a psychologist who helped me understand the nature of the condition and how to manage it but when I looked in the mirror I just hated myself.

So, I joined the local leisure centre and had six sessions with a personal trainer. The minute I stopped seeing him I lost interest. I felt intimidated in the gym and just made every excuse not to go. I told myself I was happy being fat but every time I needed to go anywhere other than work I would have melt downs because I could never find something to wear that looked OK.

Anyway, I started seeing and hearing things about PP…… I really wanted to join but wasn’t sure I could even walk through the door as my confidence was so low. I then spent a very long four hours in the car with a friend, Nina, on the way back from Birmingham and she managed to convince me to sign up.

Related: Seb Broster Beating Cancer & Getting Healthy Again

Can you describe how you were feeling physically and mentally before coming to PP?

I will never forget walking in the gym on the first day. I felt so self-conscious but I got through the door and I got through the session and I went home and sobbed my heart out. Not because I hated it, but because I loved it. I loved the people, the way I was supported and the way I was made to feel at home. There were people of different sizes and ages so I didn’t feel so concerned about how I looked. I left the gym believing that this could actually make a difference to my life and my body image.

It is safe to say I was mentally and physically on my knees when I joined but after that very first session, I could see hope, a tiny light at the end of a very dark tunnel.

Related: Nick Shoesmith – My Experience with Personal Training

What did you want to achieve with PP?

I came to PP wanting to lose weight. I got so much more! I lost weight, I changed body shape, I got seriously stronger than I have ever been in my life, I made amazing friends and my relationships with the people I love are better than ever before.

Mentally, the most important thing is that I could finally see myself when I looked in the mirror. I didn’t see a lunatic, a poor excuse for a mother, a secret night-time binger. I just saw me, a slimmer – but not skinny – stronger, happier, nicer me.

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What results have you seen whilst personal training with PP?

To date, I have lost 40lb and dropped three dress sizes. I have been fortunate that almost weekly I have seen some kind of progress. Not always in weight loss, but in strength, or increase in reps.

Even mentally I continue to improve. I take two tablets a day now! 12 tablets less than I was taking at my worst time. I can get dressed without thinking about it, I am not disgusted by myself. Yes, I get cross with myself if I slack off, but I know when I am doing it and I make sure someone at PP knows so I don’t let it get out of control. I don’t allow one bad day of eating run into a week. I never allow it to make me give up.

I know a lot when it comes to nutrition, I have been truly educated.

Related: Richard Webster: Achieving My Dream Physique at 40 

What has been your motivation throughout your journey?

I have been massively motivated by my results but also by the friends I have made and the constant support from the coaches. I have a real interest in power lifting and whilst I don’t necessarily think it fits in with my day to day life, I continue to aim for the next kg up!

How would you describe your training sessions and the intensity?

When I started training, the sessions were gentle to a point but still challenging. I never felt like I was out of my depth but I felt like I had worked hard. To be fair, you get out what you put in. It is possible to achieve pretty much anything if you are willing to put the work in, trust the process, trust the coaches and take a few risks.

Is there anything you’d change if you could do it all over again?

I just would have started sooner.

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Would you recommend TPP and why?

Are you serious… I don’t think I need to answer this question.

If Lisa’s story has motivated you to start your own fitness journey, contact us here. 

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