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“When I was 17, my waist was 23 inches (58 centimeters). Once I started working and had two children at ages 35 and 38, the weight kept gaining. I became a mother. I had never prioritized my health because I was juggling this and my work schedule,” says the hospitality company executive.

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“Every morning, I woke up with back pain from sleeping on my side. I felt constantly fatigued, and carrying weight made my ankles feel weak and heavy,” she says.

Lim joined the personal training company “Ultimate Performance” on the recommendation of a friend. Her trainer, Saidul Hasbi, planned daily walks, strength training for her three times a week for an hour, and major changes in her diet.

Hasbi, who has been a fitness trainer for 13 years, said his client was completely new to the gym.

“We focused on building strength and mobility through compound movements such as squats, deadlifts, and push and pull exercises, and added conditioning drills to address cardiovascular fitness at the end of the session.

“We also focused on nutrition. Jesse travels for work, so we focused on her diet and training while traveling, two key elements of the transformation program.” he says.

Ms Lim has also reduced the amount of sauces she uses in her dishes and cut down on her favorite sambal chili as it is high in calories.

Lim’s breakfast consists of one or two eggs, black coffee and a whey protein shake.

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She starts with vegetables for lunch and dinner, with grilled chicken breast or stir-fried beef with broccoli and mushrooms. As a snack, she has two small bowls with fruit in them.

Lim faced several challenges during her fitness journey. I was nervous coming to the gym for the first time.

“Seeing all the equipment was scary. But as the trainers gradually introduced me to different machines and routines, I gradually gained confidence,” says Lim.

“I’ve always been a night owl, so it was hard to keep up my morning walks. But…I fell in love with walks and the ‘me time’ helped clear my mind.” . I felt healthier and happier,” says Lim.

“Now, when I travel for work or vacation, I count my steps first thing in the morning. I call this my ‘morning city tour.’ It gives you a chance to see new places before the city wakes up. It’s a special feeling,” she says.

Eating healthily while on the road was initially difficult.

“I had to make sure I took my supplements (curcumin, omega-3 fish oil, magnesium) and protein shakes, adhered to my required training, and avoided alcoholic beverages while entertaining clients.”

Lim stayed accountable and motivated by weighing herself every morning.

“With every kilogram I lost, I pushed myself further. I knew the process was going well and my efforts were paying off. When I finally wore my old clothes, , it was the best feeling ever,” says Lim, who no longer has back pain.

Lim kept a diary of her weight loss journey on Facebook and shared it with a small group of friends. She posted her walking route, the equipment she’s learning how to use at the gym, her diet, her progress, and more.

Every time she lost 10kg, Lim celebrated.

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“Going to the gym gave me a lift. Being surrounded by so many energetic people who watched and supported your progress gave me a sense of belonging and strengthened my resolve. ” says Lim.

Her family is supportive. When she eats out, they choose a restaurant that has food options that are suitable for her.

“My family didn’t give me snacks because they knew I was watching my portions. Whenever I was about to stumble, my husband kept me on track. ” she says. He also went for walks with her several times.

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As she lost weight, she felt stronger and healthier.

“I feel lighter and more agile, and my confidence has increased significantly. This feeling is what keeps me healthy,” says Lim. She surprises herself with her determination, discipline, and perseverance.

“I’m mentally stronger than I thought.”

The compliments were a testament to Lim’s hard work.

“My friends say I look 20 years younger. My doctor said I not only look good, but I look strong too,” says Lim.

Her advice for those looking to lose weight is to hold yourself accountable by finding your “why,” sticking to your exercise plan, talking positively to yourself, and tracking your progress.

Lim’s husband and children are proud of how far she has come on this journey.

“My husband wrote me a note saying, ‘Weight loss doesn’t start with dumbbells at the gym, it starts with decisions in your head.'” I feel like I’m the best version of myself,” she says.