YOU GOT THIS: Woman praised for ‘incredible’ transformation
Nicole Miles challenged her body in ways she never thought was possible after a knee injury forced her out of the Australian Army.
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.
Nicole Miles has been documenting her transformation on Instagram every day for the past 1162 days — and counting.
The 29-year-old uses the social media platform as a diary, not only to track her progress, but to remind herself at just how far she has come in her journey.
She said she had challenged her body in ways she never thought was possible and was often praised for sharing raw and honest posts about her weight loss, while also driving home body-positive messages.
But Nicole said there was a time when she struggled to really appreciate and embrace her body.
“I had accepted my body but I really didn’t know or truly love it as much as I should have,” she told news.com.au
“I was just fixated on quick fixes and being disappointed when it didn’t happen.”
Nicole, who worked in supplies in the Australian Army for five years, said she had reached a plateau when she suffered a knee injury.
It not only put an end to her time in the defence force, but it also impacted her training and mental health.
“I needed a personal trainer. I didn’t know how to train in the gym on my own with my injuries,” she explained.
“I needed guidance on how to approach weight loss and weight management and I wasn’t coping with my mental health.”
The 29-year-old from Wagga Wagga decided to hire Alicia Gowans of Allys Angels and Alphas, who is a sports nutritionist and three-time WBFF (World Beauty Fitness & Fashion) champion.
“The biggest thing about working with Alicia is that while I was dealing with life and my mental health — my health and fitness was managed by someone else,” she explained.
“Alicia became a touch point for me if I ever needed support. She provides me with a meal plan and training every week.”
Nicole said her approach to health and fitness had changed dramatically particularly when she made the decision to enter her first-ever onstage competition in the Transformation category of the WBFF.
“It was about challenging my body in a completely different way and the impact it has had on my understanding of health and fitness has been so valuable,” she said.
“I still have curves, a stubborn lower stomach and all the things I had when I started, but I train and view my body so differently now.
“I appreciate it more for what it has achieved and can achieve.”
Nicole started with Alicia in October 2018 and by July 2019 she was on stage.
“The category was all about celebrating those making their way in their journey to a healthier lifestyle and part of my goal was just to get up on that stage — and I did and it was such an incredible feeling.”
At the time, Nicole shared an Instagram post about her journey to the stage, explaining that her transformation has been so much more than weight loss.
“Even though that is a fun part, keeping myself healthy through a lot of life’s highs and lows has been the key takeaway of this process for me,” she wrote.
Her post attracted hundreds of comments from followers praising her handwork, commitment and dedication.
Nicole now proudly flaunts her figure in various bikini snaps with many branding her transformation “incredible” and “amazing”.
Nicole said she now had a healthier relationship with her body and “won’t ever stop trying”.
“I know I can do it if I want to and that I should appreciate my body for what it can do and has done, not what it can’t or hasn’t done (yet),” she said.
The 29-year-old now has her sights set on the Bikini category of the WBFF.
She had previously been training for it, but due to Covid it got postponed.
“It’s about having an appreciation for what those elite people can do and what they can do is incredible and I also want to challenge myself again. I enjoy the process and learn so much about myself too.”
Nicole is maintaining her weight before starting prep in January for the competition which takes place in October next year.
“I’m training weights four times a week, pole dancing once a week and doing 10,000 to 12,000 steps a day,” she said.
Nicole said that for anyone looking to make a lifestyle change, “if you need help with it, get the help, there’s no shame in asking for it”.
“There are so many good, quality coaches out there that would love to work with you. Take your time, find the right person for you and work with them.”
If you’ve got a transformation story you’d like to share, get in touch with shireen.khalil@news.com.au
‘Never again’: 31yo backflips on gym claim
A mother has revealed how she surprised herself by entering the fitness industry after swearing she would never be part of it again.
Fitness tips keeping Aussies in shape
Laura Henshaw and Steph Claire Smith turned their health issues into a highly-successful fitness and wellness app. And now they have Aussies in their sights.
Surprise fact keeping thousands from sport
An elite netballer has revealed the reason she kept putting off returning to sport, despite the fact she was “yearning” for the community. She says she’s not alone.