I decided I wanted to run a challenge that was more unique than the usual. No longer simply being interested in weight loss, but rather fat loss, and then, fat loss on a permanent basis. For it is the maintainers who we should aspire too. Anyone can white knuckle a diet and exercise program for a short period of time.
Thus my 2023 challenge began with a 16 week recomposition component followed by an 8-month maintenance challenge. I dedicated the major prize to the ‘best maintainer’, as I feel this is sending a far superior and healthier fitness message as opposed to short term shreds.
I am thrilled to bits to announce Amanda Wright from Adelaide as the winner. For her superb efforts Amanda wins a $12,000 fitness experience STAYCATION. This means Amanda spends 5 days with me, here in Geelong, learning, upskilling, being mentored, eating, sleeping, training in a one on one setting with myself. I believe my staycations are the most profoundly life-changing physique and mindset, skills and blueprints fitness experience to acquire and maintain your best body ever. If you are curious as to what exactly this entails, and how the experience would benefit you, click on this link to read more. https://www.ingridbarclay.com/reinvent-yourself. Amanda also receives a handy cheque for $3000.
Having said that, don’t bother reading my Staycation information if you are looking for short cuts, fads, quick fixes and hardcore diets. All of that only ends in one way. I am seeking those who are finally ready to take a smart approach. Staycations are only for those health and fitness trainees who can look at their results historically, see and feel where they are now, and conclude that it is time to now do things steadily, slowly but ultimately optimally. Therefore, no responsibility shirkers, no victim mindsets and no divas.
Amanda’s Metrics:
Starting Weight: 113.8kg
End Weight: 95.4
Variance: – 18.4
Resting Heart Rate: Was 61 Now 53
VO2 Max: Was: below average: 26.6 Now: Above average: 29.5
Clothing Size: Was Size 22 Now Size 14 (variance – down 5 sizes)
3. What did you like most about the challenge?
I liked that this challenge was a full year. I felt that the first 16 weeks were fine – on track, but it got challenging after that, as
life got in the way. I decided to treat the year as four quarters instead of one year – the first quarter was the first 16 week portion of the challenge and I was quite focused (despite all my travel), the second quarter started with me on ‘cruise control’, and just chugging along but a little slippage along the way when the pressures of life started to increase, and I found myself not exactly where I wanted to be at the start of October. I then decided to make some changes and enlist the expertise of my coaches to realign myself and finish the year strongly.
Giving me the whole year to work allowed me to redirect my energy and focus as life required; I cruised along at my own pace slowly improving as time passed. This mindset allowed me to avoid losing the plot as the year went on, and allowed me to adapt and adjust to what life was throwing at me, without throwing in the metaphorical towel.
As a result, the skills I have developed and the mindset I’m in now are substantially different, long term focused and far more productive than they had been when I was focused on short term results in the past.
4. What was the hardest thing about your challenge?
The first 16 weeks (Q1) weren’t that difficult. In Q2 and Q3 I drifted through, allowing some minor erosion in focus on the challenge, even though I was slowly losing cm’s, I wasn’t razor focused and tracking everything. This was the most difficult period to manage; I needed to maintain some productive habits and routine, while withstanding the pressures of work (workload, travel, multiple rounds of workforce redundancies), family (2 of my family members passed away within a month of each other and our family expanded to include an unofficial foster child) and life. These issues slowed me down and I nearly
threw the challenge away completely; but I kept going at my own pace, forgiving my lapses and trying to move forward positively.
After I competed at the start of October; I reflected on my performance on the day and identified where, when up against the fittest girls in my division in the state, I had room for improvement – it wasn’t a comfortable experience. Working with my coaches we decided to make some changes to my nutrition with the goal of improving my endurance whilst preserving my strength. Trusting the revised plan was very difficult for me (I am stubborn) and although the first 3 weeks were horrible, I pushed through and once I started to see performance changes which started to be accompanied by physique changes, it just
started to snowball – I am very proud of what I achieved this year.
5. What impact has the challenge had on your life?
This challenge period has seen me free from an ‘all or nothing’ mindset; I’m not anxious about how I’m going to get the job done if I find myself away from home – I am much more resilient, far less anxious and my moods are stable. My athletic performance and skill confidence has increased exponentially and I am generally a much calmer & happier human.
My injuries and medical conditions are under control, and life is just easier. I fit nicely in airline seats (I fly a lot) without seatbelt extenders, I can run, jump, climb and do all of the things that fear held me back from before. I have moved from a size 22 to a size 14 and from a large to a small in Constantly Varied Gear leggings (which I basically live in).
Starting Weight: 113.8kg
Finishing Weight: 95.4kg
Variance: -18.4kg
Area Start: (10 January 2023)
End: (4 January 2024) Change
Neck 41 33.0 -8.0
Arm – le� 36 32 -4.0
Arm – right 38.5 32 -6.5
Bust 106 91.5 -14.5
Waist 112 89 -23.0
Hips 146 96 -50.0
Thigh – left 72 54.5 -17.5
Thigh – right 70 54.5 -15.5
Calf – left 38 32.5 -5.5
Calf – right 37 32.5 -4.5
Totals: 696.5 550 -151
Gym Performance:
As a CrossFit Athlete I don’t attempt one rep max’s very often, but I’ve seen some improvements over the year:
Lift Improvements:
Deadlift +25kg Power Clean +20kg
Back Squat +55kg (was injured in Jan 23, so stated low) Hang Power Clean +25kg
Front Squat +18.75kg Clean & Jerk +15kg
New Skills: (I love this)
– 16” box jumps
– Double Unders
– Push Up (on toes)
– Butterfly pullups (significant reduction in band assistance)
I started the year’s training as a scaled athlete (level 1-2) with working weights of 20-25kg in most barbell WOD’s to a RX/RX+
athlete (level 2-3) with working weight of 35kg+. My endurance is significantly improved, my 6km run time (despite my arthritis)
reduced over 2 and a half mins and my performance in training is much more consistent and of a higher standard.
In summary, I finished the challenge stronger, faster, healthier, happier and more resilient than when I started it.
6. What would you say to people who are thinking of doing the IB challenge next year?
You are in safe hands with Ingrid, let her help you. I was afraid at the start of my first transformation challenge; but the knowledge I have gained in my 2 IB challenges has set me up to succeed in my life. Along the way I’ve met some awesome people and learned so much.
7. Anything else you would like to tell us about your challenge?
Honestly, all in all, I enjoyed the challenge. I like a healthy competition!
Conclusion:
I am inspired by Amanda in every sense of the word. Amanda had a tumultuous year. Nothing went “perfect”. nor “smooth”, nor “easy.” As humans living our best lives, we have to learn not to let emotions get in the way of how we “feel” about working out, or prepping meals, or getting sleep. It is about the C word. Consistency. What I admire about Amanda is her acceptance that she and life doesn’t roll without hurdles, however she navigates them with much greater resilience and a small dollop of self-compassion. Not letting herself off the hook, but not being far too critical of her efforts.
I love the fact that Amanda used a real array of markers to gauge her improvements. From normal body stats, to new skills, to new life abilities, to dress size, to “grade as a Crossfitter”. This is very clever and more trainee’s should do this to shift the emphasis firmly away from weight, and fat to other success indicators.
Congratulations again Amanda. There will be many people who won’t tell you or message, or write a comment, that will be100% inspired by your efforts. I am grateful that you showed your vulnerabilities, your strengths and your personal strategies that aided you to take the win. I am so looking forward to having you as my fitness guest this year.