Postpartum Transformation: How new mom, Alison Duran lost weight while she gained confidence as she proved to herself she could look better after childbirth.
NAME, AGE & HOMETOWN
Hi! I am Alison Duran. I am 30 years old and live in Ore, Utah.
TELL US MORE ABOUT YOU
I grew up in Utah, and after graduating from BYU, I taught elementary school for 5 years (5th grade, 3rd grade, then 4th grade). During that time I met my husband and got married in January of 2018. I had my first baby girl in November of 2018, and now I stay at home with her, and it’s the best job ever!
HOW DID YOUR POSTPARTUM TRANSFORMATION BEGIN?
Before I got pregnant, I always said that while I was pregnant I would be sure to eat healthy, continue to workout and that way I would be able to bounce back easier. Well life didn’t work out that way for me! Turns out pregnancy really does a number on your body! (Who knew?!)
During my last trimester of pregnancy I got pretty sick with pneumonia and was pretty wiped out. I then had to have a c-section, which made recovery a little more difficult. I had gained 45 pounds and lost a lot of strength. I started going back to the gym a couple months after giving birth, and slowly was working my strength back, but by about 6/7 months postpartum I didn’t feel like I was making the progress I would like. I decided that I loved working out, so why not get a little more serious about it! So I looked into online coaching and found Julie!
WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST FITNESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS?
I have run a half-marathon, and completed a team race called Ragnar. However, the thing I am most proud of with my fitness is all that I’ve learn and how I have grown stronger through weightlifting. While dating my husband, I started to get into weightlifting, and he helped me learn a lot. Over the last few years I’ve learned a lot about how to train my muscles, eat properly, and exercise in an effective way.
Postpartum Transformation Advice
“Training and learning about how to love and take care of my body has helped me to feel great in my own skin and be confident no matter where I am.”
In the first 8 weeks of training, Alison’s postpartum transformation was already off to an incredible start!
WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED?
Growing up I always struggled with my fitness and with my self-confidence. My biggest demons came from inside my own mind. Training and learning about how to love and take care of my body has helped me to feel great in my own skin and be confident no matter where I am.
A big fear I had of being pregnant was losing that part of me I had worked so hard for. It may sound a little selfish, but it’s true! I was scared of losing my body and never being able to be myself again. Being on the other side, I am most proud that I was able to see myself gain the baby weight and lose a lot of strength, and then be able to make this postpartum transformation and prove myself wrong that I would never be myself again afterwards. I feel like I am even better than I was before I had my baby, and proud of the work and dedication I have had to get here, and to keep going!
HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT JULIE LOHRE’S ONLINE PERSONAL TRAINING PROGRAM?
Just through Google! I read through a lot of your website and I loved seeing all the women you have worked with, and reading about you.
WHAT WERE YOUR ORIGINAL CONCERNS ABOUT ONLINE PERSONAL TRAINING AND ONLINE FITNESS COACHING?
My biggest concern was whether or not I would be able to stick to the diet! I love to workout, and the idea of challenging myself there is fun and exciting. But I am a girl who loves her food – especially big gooey chocolate chip cookies! I talked with my husband and a few close friends, did some reading and contemplating, and decided that if I was going to do this, I was going to be 110% in. I love reading and seeing other women’s success stories because it helps me see that I can do it too. I decided to start because I wanted to prove to myself and show my daughter how to set goals and accomplish them, and I knew my husband would be the most supportive person I could ever have to help me out all along the way.
TELL US THE SPECIFICS OF YOUR POSTPARTUM TRANSFORMATION
So far over the last 17 weeks, I have lost:
- 15 pounds on the scale
- 4 inches on my waist
- 3.5 inches on my hips
- I have almost doubled the number of strict pushups I can do
- A decreased my mile time from 11 min to 8:34!
I have a special folder in my phone where I store my progress photos, and it is fun to see how my body has changed so much in a relatively short amount of time.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HARDEST PART OF THIS JOURNEY?
Food! I love to eat and bake. It’s become a habit for me to look at my foods, track my macros, and be stricter about weighing or accurately measuring foods. But it gets tricky when my family or friends want to go out, or when there are other special events (or those late night cravings!). I have had to become better at planning ahead, and changing my mindset about food. I ask myself not just does it taste good, but does it make me feel good?
HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW? HOW HAS YOUR OUTLOOK ABOUT YOUR BODY AND YOUR LIFE CHANGED?
I feel great! I feel like I am confident at the gym, more comfortable in my clothes, and more energized to be active in my life.
FAVORITE CLEAN EATING RECIPE?
One of my favorite meals has been a breakfast of oatmeal (I like the Better Oats brand) with a tablespoon of almond butter and a tablespoon of chocolate chips!
WHAT IS THE BEST AND WORST PART ABOUT WORKING WITH JULIE LOHRE?
The best part has been having that extra accountability and encouragement!
Strong, confident and oh so fit new mom, Alison Duran
Any other comments?
Just that anyone can do this! Taking care of your health and learning about your body is the best way to learn to love yourself. We aren’t all bodybuilders, but for me taking care of my body is how I show myself love and how I show my body appreciation.
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right”
Henry Ford
Ready to get started toward your post baby transformation?
