How long have you been working with 23W?

3.5 months

What got you started on this journey?

Wanting to get moving, fit and lighter while on parental leave

What was your biggest challenge at the start?

Training consistently despite relentless winter illnesses in the family and lots of night feeds with the baby

What was your initial goal?

Get fit and lose some of the 15kg I put on during and after pregnancy, so I could move better and feel better

What result did you achieve?

Lost 5.6 kg of body fat and put on 0.7kg of muscle mass

How have you changed?

Established healthy eating habits that aren’t hard to maintain – mainly centered around eating more protein at each meal /snack and whole grain carbohydrates.

What was your biggest challenge going through the process?

Establishing the nutritional habits – being prepared for each meal time / snack; over training – recognising and accepting that my body is not currently capable of training two days in a row; determining how much food I needed to eat on a training day – I realised that I needed to eat more than I originally thought, to train and breastfeed day and night, otherwise my body suffered, eventually I landed on a protein shake after the gym and before bed on high intensity training days.

How would you describe your journey?

Starting and continuing training at 23W has been deeply satisfying! Being able to train three times a week, while on parental leave feels like a total luxury. I found it so hard to train with my first son, because by the time my partner came home from work I was exhausted. This time round with my second child I was able to train from 12 weeks post partum, because bub could come to the gym with me. Feeling my body get stronger has made me so happy, has given me more energy (despite a not sleeping baby) and I feel way more body positive. I never imagined in a million years I would be at a weight lifting party with my 5 month old, and both of us having the best time!

What was it like working with the 23W and the other girls in the community?

Its my first time at a woman only gym and it feels so much better than gyms I have been part of in the past.Training with so many inspiring, supportive, friendly women makes it such a delight to come to the gym.

What’s next for you?

A more moderate (food and wine!) Christmas than I otherwise would have had, training to get stronger now I know my 1 rep max, and the next challenge – I can’t wait!

Anything else?

I wish all women had access to a 23W, its the best! Podcasts, nutritional support, lifting parties, in-body scans, on-site nanny – WOW! Well done team.