Female fat loss transformations can come in all shapes and sizes.  Although I have coached some startling female fat loss reductions, the actual amount of weight lost, or even body fat % improved, is more often than not irrelevant to whether I judge my work a success.  What really matters is how the “new, slimline / lean and toned” person feels about their new image and how it can empower their life at every single level.

A prime case in point of this is the female fat loss transformation that I would like to focus on today.  A personal training client, Saher, over the course of her fat loss transformation journey lost an incredible 70lbs and took her body fat % from the high 20s to below 15%.  However to me that isn’t really a big deal because numbers in and of themselves mean nothing.  What is an extremely big deal however, is how such a radical change can alter a person’s perspective on life.  Suddenly everything seems just that little bit more “possible”.  Challenges that would previously have been seen as insurmountable are now mere hurdles to be leaped over.  The superficial boost of the fat loss transformation from a home body to a gym body can be great for the vanity and certain parts of one’s self esteem, but don’t underestimate the much deeper, and in many ways more important, changes in self worth and self confidence that come with regaining control over a once errant, and often malfunctioning, body.

This really is the same person!

In Saher’s own words, via a message that she sent me and very kindly allowed me to use in this blog in the hope that it can inspire other women to take real charge over their own bodies, here is how her own fat loss transformation helped to reshape her confidence and her self esteem:

“Nick I wanted to thank you for many things. You have truly changed my life. I have NEVER looked this good and as vain as this is going to sound..I cant stop looking at myself in the mirror. My classes (she was a full time cardio teacher before I weaned her on to weight training for her fat loss transformation – kind of belies the myth that weights will make a woman bulky doesn’t it!) are absolutely packed because I’m in such good shape. Funny thing is because I now look so much younger not only can people not believe that I have a child, but I’m getting guys in their early 20s hitting on me-ha ha!!!! I find it hilarious.  Not only is my confidence sky high it has made me realise so much about myself…I am reading more, I am studying more, I just want so much more from life!

I want to be the best I possibly can, which before I never believed I could be before…

Most of all Nick, I’m a much happier person and a better mother to my daughter as a result.

I weighed myself last week and I’m 7stone 12 lbs-for me that is truly incredible. I’ve never been in this shape, slim and with shape to my body and my small muscles and I feel amazing about myself.

Nick thanks again, I couldn’t have done it without your help, support and advice.”

As great as the photos look, it is the last sentence that makes it all worth it for me.  Contributing to helping a good person regain her self confidence  and become empowered by changes made through the force of her own will (I provided the 1% of advice, and the rest is 99% her own will, grit and determination) makes me feel very privileged.  It’s been a fantastic journey for Saher and I will watch her future progress with great interest and admiration.

Female fat loss transformations are harder than for men – the reason being that female hormones and lack of muscle mass mean in many cases that women have to work twice as hard as their male counterparts for 50% of the results.  Get the right advice, don’t continue to do what you have always done (useless leg turning on the stationary bike is a pet hate of mine performed by too many females seeking fat loss) as otherwise you will never change, and above all else believe that you can do it because I guarantee that if you want it badly enough you can.