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Success Stories
See how these men and women changed their bodies and minds, plus discover their nutrition and exercise tips.
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Caroling Harris: A Life-Long Dream
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After a 27-year battle with inconsistent diets, little exercise, eating disorders and a sinking self-image, Caroline Harris wanted to resolve hitting her lows and take charge. She wanted to live her life-long dream of being in shape and healthy—and she did. At age 37 and raising five children with her husband, Caroline, from Lindon, Utah, became the second runner up for her age category in the 2001 Body-for-LIFE Challenge, a nutrition, supplementation and training program.
"I felt my life was spinning out of control," Caroline says. "I felt at a loss for direction until I was introduced to the Challenge." Caroline knew completing the Challenge was her ticket back to her pre-pregnancy self. She knew she would commit herself 110 percent. "I wanted to be happy with myself, to be in control and to live my dream."
Planning for success
In the beginning of planning workout and nutrition goals, Caroline realized she was her own obstacle. "I knew my success and failure depended only on me," Caroline says. And taking care of five children and trying to plan workouts wasn’t easy. Her biggest struggle was giving up sleep as a life-long night owl and turning into an early bird. Caroline also had to get into the mindset that this is her new way of life, forever. "I used to never want to do anything that required much physical activity; that was something I shunned along with anything my children considered fun." After two weeks of waking up at 4:30 a.m. to work out, Caroline noticed a change in her energy levels. "I recognized that early morning cardio workouts positively gave me the incredible jump-start that goes throughout the entire day," Caroline says. "I didn’t miss all the sleep, and I had more energy to play with my kids."
Believing in herself
When times got rough, Caroline found alternatives. "I knew there was no going back or giving up for me," she says. "I wasn’t going to let myself down because I had to depend on myself, for myself." When negative thoughts would creep in, Caroline looked to positive self-talk. She would tell herself that she must keep her eyes on the good side of what was going on with her body and health. "I believe, I believe," Caroline says. "I’d repeat those words over and over again until I felt uplifted and mentally back on track." She also kept her "before" photos in constant view for more motivation. Getting in shape was not wishful thinking any more for Caroline—it was reality.
A healthy reward
For years eating right was a struggle for Caroline; she feared food. After forming a nutrition plan, Caroline taught herself that she could eat without guilt. "I shifted my focus from wanting to be skinny to being healthy and strong," Caroline says. "My concern now is getting into my body what it needs and not trying to keep everything out." She had to say good-bye to her love for sweets, but finally knowing how to eat properly was better than consuming a milkshake. And when cooking for her family, she knew what was good for her was good for them, but she made adjustments when necessary. "I made meals for my family that didn’t tempt me."
Every now and then Caroline would have a "free" meal, but she felt an entire "free" day set her back three steps more when she just had taken five steps forward. "I began to bring my own food everywhere I went," Caroline says, "like to the mall, movies and family gatherings. I also omitted high-fat and high-carb foods when out to dinner; I planned ahead." By keeping a food journal, Caroline learned how certain foods made her feel and she soon substituted candy bars for protein bars and chocolate/peanut butter nutrition shakes. "I enjoy choosing food wisely, sensibly and having a plan." She now exercises six days a week and eats six meals a day.
A "wow" result
It’s an incredible feeling for Caroline to know that at 37 years old, with five kids, she is in the best shape of her life. "I physically feel more energetic and more vivacious than ever," Caroline says. "And with raising a family of five children, it’s absolutely necessary to have the strength to keep up with them and all the demands of the day without feeling sluggish and drained constantly like I did before." Caroline is full of energy and jean shopping once again is fun. She went from 19.5 percent body fat to 10.4; and a size 6/8 to a 0. "I am much more comfortable with myself, more confident and I feel more competent in every area of my life." After completing the 12-week Challenge, Caroline and her family all said "Wow!" to her accomplishments. "My 12-year-old son said `Mom, my friends say you don’t look like a mom;’ he sure knows how to give a compliment!" All of her children rooted for her. "They’re happy because mom’s happy," Caroline says.
Caroline’s workout
Day 1
Shoulders/back/chest (four sets of 12 repetitions)
Dumbbell bench presses
Wide-grip pulldowns
Incline dumbbell flyes
Seated cable rows
Rear delt rows
Front, side and rear shoulder lifts
Day 2
Biceps/triceps/abs (four sets of 12 repetitions)
Dumbbell curls
Lying dumbbell curls
Rotating dumbbell curls
Sitting triceps extensions
Ab crunches
Day 3
Lower body (four sets of 12 repetitions)
Leg presses
Good mornings
Barbell squats
Calf raises
Leg extensions
Reverse leg extensions
Kickbacks
Walking leg lunges
Cardio
20 to 30 minutes of cardio, four days a week
Caroline’s nutrition plan
Supplements:
Glutamine, Udo’s Choice Perfect Oil Blend, CLA and multivitamins
7:00 a.m. Breakfast
Oatmeal with dried fruit, almonds and a ¼ cup soy milk
3 egg whites
10:00 a.m. Snack
Nutrition shake with 2 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter
½ cup steamed green beans or broccoli
1:00 p.m. Lunch
Fish or chicken with salsa or BBQ sauce
Green salad
½ cup brown rice
3:30 p.m. Snack
Protein powder mixed with ¼ cup soy milk
Apple
Green veggies
6:00 p.m. Dinner
Chicken wrap with lettuce, mushrooms, chestnuts, green onion and a sauce
Brown rice
8:00 p.m. Snack
Protein powder with ¼ cup soy milk
Green veggies
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