The Profile of the Month for the month of December is our beautiful Zainab Daoud. Zainab was training with us for 12 months prior to having her second child. She trained throughout her pregnancy, taking a break once her son was born.

12 Weeks ago she returned to training with a brand new lease on life. She had changed in a major way. When I had first met Zainab she wanted to get fit and healthy and went through the motions but didn’t really have a huge drive or zest. However when she returned to training in August there was a fire in her belly I had never seen before. She was extremely determined, asked lots of questions, was reading about nutrition and taking a new found interest in learning about how to improve herself in every way. She read my book “Unleash the best version of you” that our clients receive for free, for the first time. Previously she had never shown much interest in it. She read through it in record time and started implementing all the strategies I teach in it.

A big one for her was opting to go gluten free. In my book I talk about the impact gluten has on the body for those that are intolerant to it. Zainab informed me she felt I was talking to her directly throughout that chapter. She could really relate to it, so decided to adopt a gluten free diet. She felt this was a key player in her change, and she hasn’t looked back.

As a result of her nutrition changes, and training, Zainab lost 10.3kg over these last 12 weeks, dropping 3 levels in visceral fat (the dangerous fat that sits in the abdomen around the organs). She has improved her hydration by 3.3% and has dropped 115.5cm from around her body, with 17cm being from her waist and 21cm from her hips.

I couldn’t be more proud of Zainab if I tried! She is an incredible woman, super strong, a beautiful soul and the most infectious laugh! I love her to bits! I always have! The beauty is, now that she is feeling better about herself she is smiling even brighter! Awesome work babe!!!

Let’s hear Zainab’s story from her point of view:

“I had just had my second child and life was a bit hectic. I had put all my time and energy into caring for my son as we were told by specialist that he had an incurable condition. I often found myself so tired, depressed and isolated. I would rarely leave home in the fear that something would happen to him, therefore I hardly did any exercise, eating for comfort and I was at the biggest I’ve ever been in my life.

In August my husband was volunteering for the Daffodil foundation and persuaded me to pay him a visit. One of the organisers took a photo of us and I was absolutely shocked; I couldn’t believe that’s what I looked like (as I never take photos of myself, I hate photos) I looked at that photo for days, I felt sorry for my children, ‘I have to do better for them’, I thought. 

I had been with Terrific Fitness previously 2017/2018 and knew how amazing Terri and her team are so naturally it was the first place I looked to start again.

When I signed up in August 2019 I started off with one class per week and the occasional walks around the block. I tried running as well, but couldn’t last anything more than 3 minutes. Currently I participate in 2 classes a week and can run 20mins (2.5kms)!!!

For the first time since joining Terrific fitness I actually read Terri’s book and decided I would adopt a gluten free lifestyle as she suggested. I felt I could make even more effort and decided to cut out carbs completely. I cut out all sugar too, reduced my coffee intake to a maximum of twice a day and increased the amount of water I’m having from 1 or 2 cups to about 3 litres which helps me feel fuller.

This year I’ve just completed 12weeks with Terrific Fitness and can’t wait to see what the next 12 weeks brings on.

This has turned my life around, we love spending family time outside doing things like bush-walking and fishing. I try and go for a run every day and have recently started swimming weekly. 

I honestly feel great and healthier, more energetic.

[What really gets you out of your comfy lounge to attend training?] My children, my husband they are my everything I keep reminding myself I want to be around for them and I never want them to feel I’ve burdened them with my ill health.

[What would you say to someone thinking of getting started with Terrific Fitness?] Stop thinking DO IT! Call today don’t wait, my only regret is that I wished I signed up again sooner! I’m afraid of gyms, they make me feel so paranoid and judged but this is not like that at all; it feels so much more personal, the staff are so friendly and supportive and I’m so comfortable around them.” – Zainab Daoud, Watsonia North