You Got This: Why woman only parked at front of shopping centres

When Leesa Fischl struggled to find a park right at the front of her local shopping centre, there was always one thing she would do.

Welcome to You Got This, news.com.au’s weekly slice of fitness inspiration featuring tips and advice from real women who’ve experienced it all.

It was in October 2016 when Leesa Fischl decided she needed to overhaul her lifestyle choices – and fast.

The then 27-year-old from Melbourne weighed 110kg, telling news.com.au she felt extremely “unhealthy” and that she was “the laziest person” she knew.

“For example I would often drive off from shops if there wasn’t a car space right out the front,” Leesa said.

“I would even leave and cancel appointments – that’s how lazy I was. I wouldn’t want to walk a few steps.”

However, life looks very different for the now 32-year-old who went on to become a personal trainer.

Leesa Fischl in October 2016. Picture: Supplied

Leesa has lost 35kg, gaining muscle mass in the process after joining her local gym and committing to a weightlifting regimen.

“I had a 24-hour gym membership which I never used, so I decided to make use of it,” she said.

“I started going after midnight when it was quiet, parked myself on a treadmill in the corner and kept my head forward.

“I started with daily 30-minute walks, then gradually built up to 45 minutes, and finally the full hour.”

She focused on cardio at the start before hiring a personal trainer who showed her how to lift weights.

The 32-year-old has gone on to become a personal trainer, after turning her life around. Picture: Instagram/leesa.f

“I took that information and started training alone. I was more confident at this stage so my sessions changed from midnight to midday.”

Leesa said the beginning is always the hardest, but she started by making small changes and setting small, achievable goals.

“The biggest challenges for me was to show up to the gym and actually stick to my meal plan,” she said.

“I didn’t feel good, I wasn’t healthy. I decided that enough was enough, so I started making small changes by cutting out soft drink, fried foods, stopped parking my car at the front entry of shops and started moving.”

Leesa said she would often drive off from shops/appointments if there wasn’t a car space right out the front, describing herself as ‘lazy’. Picture: Supplied

She went on to make small changes such as cutting out fatty foods, (introducing them later in moderation), and walking up to an hour a day. Picture: Instagram/leesa.f

Leesa said she had tried various fad diets, shakes, teas and diet pills, but there was no consistency.

“Sure these may seem to help drop water weight but as soon as I resumed eating I would gain it back so I just simply started moving and cutting out the crappy foods and eating well such as lean meats, fruits and veggies, yoghurt and complex carbs such as rice,” she said.

She then hired a personal trainer who taught her how to lift weights, before training alone. Picture: Instagram/leesa.f

Leesa said after her first three months of “making these small changes I dropped 15kg and felt so good”.

“People around me started noticing the change which motivated them and inspired me to keep going.”

Within the first year of her journey, Leesa dropped 35kg in weight, started weight training and gained muscle.

Leesa has also gone on to become a personal training after overhauling her lifestyle choices, and wanting to help others do the same. Picture: Instagram/leesa.f

“People I didn’t even know were now asking me for advice,” she said.

“I fell in love with my journey and wanted to help others achieve what I once thought was impossible.”

And so in 2018 she became a qualified personal trainer, helping others to transform their lives.

“I am a strong believer of: ‘What the mind believes, the body will achieve.’”

Leesa said she now enjoys eating everything in moderation.

“Initially I cut out all fried foods, sugar and soft drink at the start but that was never a forever plan,” she said.

“It’s just not a sustainable lifestyle. We need to enjoy ourselves so a soft drink, something fried or favourite chocolate in moderation isn’t going to ruin all the hard work.

“No one gains weight overnight so a little treat here and there is absolutely fine.”

Leesa also no longer feels constantly lethargic and run down, and you definitely won’t catch her driving off from an appointment or a shopping centre, if the car spot is not close enough.

“When I look in the mirror I see a strong confident woman who I feel so proud of for coming this far and sticking to it. I am stronger and more confident than ever.”

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