Girl Hero Yvette
Yvette has a passion for fitness and her physical and mental transformation reflects that passion. Her before and after weight loss story is one of perservance. After reaching 263 pounds Yvette embarked on a five year long journey to lose over 100 pounds.
Today she is an American living in Australia, a personal trainer, and has been married to her best friend for 6 years. They both enjoy online gaming. You can read more about Yvette on her blog, Metamorphosis.
Girl Hero Yvette
Did you struggle with your weight your entire life?
Pretty much I remember being 11 and reading diet books and exercising, I wasn’t actually overweight at all. I was super thin in my teens and struggled with anorexia and bulimia. In my twenties, I started to gain weight, and steadily gained till age 35 where I ended up 263 lbs.
Can you give us a brief history of your food and fitness habits? In other words how does your before and after weight stories compare?
I had cycles. I went through a health food kick where I was baking my own bread from grain I ground myself because you know, that is healthy *rolleyes*, slathered with butter and honey. Eating huge plates of pasta because that is “fat free”. Lol. I went through a juicing phase where I bought the Juiceman and started drinking juice everyday, but in between all this I ate lots of fast food and drank super big gulps. Crazy, I know. By the time I was 35 I had all the symptoms of diabetes though I never went to the doctor. For several years, I also had rashes that disappeared when I took sugar out of my diet. In 2004, I started the Body For Life program and that got me started on effective training and eating.
How long did it take you to lose over a hundred pounds?
It took me about 5 years.
What sort of roadblocks did you have to overcome?
I went through a divorce, moved to another country and just basically had to get my head around it all. I had no gym for most of it. I did cardio outside. We did have some basic weights and a bench at home so that was what I used.
How do you feel about lifting heavy weights? What is your favorite lift?
I LOVE lifting heavy weights. Lifting heavy is what creates the body I want. My favorite lift? Hmmmmm, I really enjoy many, I guess shoulder presses because I like to watch my shoulders pop when I do it.
You’ve struggled with emotional eating. How have you learned to respond to your emotions?
I still struggle with this from time to time. The thing I have realized is that no amount of food is going to make it better. I think it is something I will always struggle with but I try to go get a workout in, play some great music, or do something to distract my mind. I am human though and sometimes cookies and ice cream win.
How have your friends and family responded to your accomplishments?
My family back home actually though I sent pics of someone else or they were photoshopped! Now that they have seen me on webcam they are convinced. Lol!
You are currently prepping for a figure competition. How is that going?
It is going good, I am quite nervous. I am training hard! It is a goal I have had since I started to lose weight back in 2004.
I’m curious. What’s it like being an American living in Australia? When can I come and visit? 😉
It is beautiful here! When I first got here I would watch tv and I could not understand what people were saying. It is a lot like California where I am from originally, but without as much garbage, graffiti, and so many people. The beaches are amazing. Australians are very laid back compared to Americans. I do however miss the huge variety of foods that I can find in America. You and your family can come and visit whenever you like, Jenn! 😀
Thank you Yvette for sharing your story. You are an inspiration!
Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn
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Journey with our family on the road at New School Nomads as we take a year long RV road trip through the United States!
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This is my (almost) sane quest for insane health. Let's 
Wow! What an amazing transformation! I love it that it took her 5 years to lose 100 pounds – I can relate to a slow and steady loss much more than a quick one.
DANG! What an inspiration!!!
Love this! Yvette has quite an impressive story and, moreover, a wonderful attitude!
Way to go Yvette !! You are truly an inspiration to many people. Thanks for sharing
Amazing!
I see some of myself there, especially pasta cos it’s fat-free. Oy! The things I did (may still make poor choices but I think that I understand they’re bad). It sounds like you’re doing extremely well in Oz and I wish you continued health and success!
Great interview!
Great job Yvette!
Incredible! It’s so great that you get share your motivation and knowledge with your clients. They must be inspired and not wimp out and say “I can’t.”
Thank you girls! I do feel it really helps in understanding what my clients are going through, so many times I can feel their pain as it brings back my own memories. Their have been a couple that have said they can’t and I whipped out my before photos to show them yes they can!