It’s time to be the best version of you

We live in the day and age of the Biggest Loser, so while you may expect some dramatic 60 kilo weight loss in this story, I can assure you that’s not what this is about. That's not to say Body By Michael (BBM) hasn't helped countless others achieve such a goal, but my journey is different.

Hi, my name is Abi Moustafa and I'm a 27-year-old journalist. I've always struggled with my weight and over the last 5 years I've steadily lost more than 35 kilos, without any weird shakes, I pretty much eat clean 80% of the time and the other 20% accounts for the treats in my diet. I'm also very active. I used to train 6 times a week for two hours per session but nowadays, following a few injuries, I realistically workout about 4-5 times a week, for under one hour.

Regardless, I met Michael at a pivotal stage in my life. I'd returned from a trip to the US, gained a few kilos, lost motivation to train and continued to abuse my relationship with food by opting to binge eat. Common huh? Personally, I'm a huge believer in timing and sure enough, a week before I was scheduled for a gastric bypass surgery consultation, Michael entered my life.

What exactly did the BBM program do for me? It altered my life, in a way that was more practical than any other program I've ever undertaken. Michael's number one rule was to not deprive yourself of a delicious meal, but balance it out. His workouts were all accessible everywhere I went and rather than get bored with the programs each week I watched on in amazement as I noticed small changes in my body and also my mood. Michael's training consists of a fusion of training styles, including yoga, Pilates, plyometric, functional movement and more, all delivered in a fun and innovative manner. In less than 45 minutes per day, it not only helped reduce my bloating but completely relieved me of my tension headaches.

So where are the results? For once in my life I was told not to look at a scale. The scales have been my enemy in the past, so I invested in a measuring tape and was amazed to see that in less than 12 weeks, despite a career change, family commitments and personal conundrums, I had overcome my own goals and lost more than 20cms in total.

A small feat, but one that has paved my way to a brighter future. I've got a long way to go before I get to my desired body shape, but I know with Michael's support, fun and time-efficient workouts, and the delicious (and carbs-included) BBM diet plan, I will get there.

Do yourself a favour and try out the free trial. I promise you won't regret it. Nor will you regret eating a chocolate mousse, because you won't be restricted from that either!

Over the course of a toxic eight-year relationship I put on 50kgs. Food was my comfort and a distraction. As the weight came on I tried every fad diet and exercise program around and I’d lose a bit of weight but then I would always put in on again, and then some.

The relationship ended and I was at rock bottom, so unhappy in myself and embarrassed by my appearance that I had withdrawn from family and friends to some extent and refused to exercise in public. My confidence had taken such a hit that I also missed out on a promotion at work, one I’d had my eye on for some time.

Then I met Michael of Body By Michael. That was two years ago. It took me 12 months to lose the 50kgs I had gained and in the past year I have maintained the weight loss and focused on building strength, toning and fitness.

The daily BBM video workouts and weekly eating plans are a way of life for me now and always will be. No need to go to the gym and I haven't weighed myself for months.

I really enjoy the food side of the BBM program. I don’t want to spend all my spare time thinking about and cooking food, so for me the convenience of selecting a weekly meal plan and knowing the recipes will be quick and easy to shop for and prepare is really important. The meals are super cost-effective, fresh, all whole foods, but best of all I know for certain that if I just eat the three meals and two snacks I have chosen each day for that week there is no way I can put on weight.

Like anything that is sustainable, what you get out of the BBM program is directly related to what you put in. The difference for me in Michael’s approach is that it comes from his heart as much as his head. He genuinely cares about people’s health and wellbeing and he genuinely loves seeing people achieve their goals. He has a way of building confidence and giving people the tools they need to take pride in themselves again and make the right choices.

The job I missed out on two years ago recently came up again and this time I nailed it, thanks to a clear mind and believing in myself as a result of what I’ve achieved personally over the past couple of years.

The new role involves regular travel but with the BBM program I don’t have to miss a beat as far as exercise is concerned. I just open up my laptop and do my workouts in the hotel room first thing in the morning, I don’t even think about it now, it’s just what I do every day. Same goes for holidays.

And now whenever people ask me how I’ve managed this transformation I am so happy to be able to tell them about the BBM program and share all that I’ve learnt so far on this journey. My sister lost 60kgs simply by subscribing to the BBM program, following the eating plans 100% and lots of walking. But that’s another story.

 Chrissy's Mum, Andrea " Thank you Michael. My beautiful daughter was in a rut, however you showed her how to get herself back. She will forever be grateful for all the support. God bless you, you've worked a miracle."

I can't pinpoint what it was that Michael and his program sparked in me. I started in March 2015, when my baby was 6 months old, I weighed 140kgs and am now down around 80kgs. These numbers and what I see in the mirror make me feel really good, but the biggest transformation of all for me has been the growth in my self-awareness and how much I was selling myself short all those years - what I am capable of now amazes me every day.

This is something I'd wanted for so long, people had hounded me about my health and losing weight for years. I'd had a lifetime of yoyo dieting, I'd start a new diet and lose 15kgs only to gain 30kgs once it finished. I'd start a new gym membership but find it hard to allocate the time needed to go. But working with Michael has changed all that completely.

I love that the workouts are short and sharp, 8-12 minutes each so I just set aside half an hour a day, knock out 2 or 3 workout sequences at home and I'm done. I also love the high intensity approach in lots of the workouts ie. you work hard for 30 seconds then recover for 30 seconds, it helps me keep going to the end.

A really important part of Michael's approach to weight loss and wellbeing is drinking water and knowing exactly how much is right for each person. I used to drink Coke all day every day. I've now replaced it with water and the difference I feel is quite amazing. Sugary drinks make normal food taste bland because your taste buds are used to such a hit, I can't believe how good real food tastes now. My skin is completely transformed, so much clearer, brighter and more supple. And I no longer crave sugar or complex carbs, I really, genuinely enjoy eating whole foods. No longer craving sugar is a huge change for me, I used to be woken up by cravings and now I don't even register those foods or drinks when I see them.

I also used to think that whole foods were hard work to prepare and cook. The BBM meal plans and recipes are actually really easy, they are all foods that are readily available and quick to prepare but taste great so I feel satisfied and have the energy I need not only to exercise but to live my life.

I love that my daughter is growing up seeing me as an active person and seeing us being active together as fun. Instead of going to the movies we go trampolining and she sees me doing a workout at home as just a normal part of our lifestyle, and that's not going to change.