An inspiring photo of an overweight mum working out in a bid to lose 30kg so she can ‘keep up with her kids’ has sparked an outpouring of support online.
The snap of Australian mum Krichelle was shared by personal trainer Nerida Bint – who herself shed 21kg after suffering a bad experience at a gym.
Having transformed her body, she then went on to set up her own gym Lissome.
Krichelle gave permission for her picture to be posted in the hope it will inspire other women to achieve their health goals.
‘I would like to take this moment today to give the biggest appreciation/acknowledgment/applause and praise for this woman right here,’ Nerida captioned the image, which showed the mum skipping with determination.
‘Krichelle joined Lissome just a few short weeks ago though our 30 Day Challenge and her goal is to get fit, strong, keep up with her kids and lose 30kgs.
‘In that time, we have all been in awe of her attitude every day she comes to training.
She has completed some of the most challenging workouts, right next to some very young, fit and incredibly athletic women.
‘She has not once complained about this style of training being too advanced for her.
‘She has not once given up trying and even when she was dying in the 20 min AMRAP on Monday, she never once “stepped” over the bar,’ Nerida continued.
‘She jumped each and every rep. Even though she weighs over 100kgs. I don’t disclose that information to offend her, or anyone else. And I have indeed asked her permission to use that example as a motivation to those around her.
‘She accepts where she is and that she has a long, challenging road in front of her. BUT I have faith.
‘Seeing her attitude and willingness to do anything that is thrown her way without even a single breath of complaint.
Nerida went on to say that she hoped other women would look at Krichelle and ‘aspire to be more like her’.
‘I hope all women out there that are facing the huge daunting challenge of wanting to lose weight look to her and know if she can do it, so too can they,’ she wrote.
‘I hope this shows every single woman on this planet that women of all ages, shapes, sizes, ability and the like can train next to one another without judgement, but instead full of support, love and encouragement of one another, regardless of what we look like. Everybody has a right to fitness and friendship.
‘I KNOW in the bottom of my heart that this woman CAN and WILL achieve her goals. I know this because of her honest, real and fearless approach she is adopting each day.
‘No doubt she feels fear every time she steps through the front door not knowing what is in store for her that day. But she steps through the door anyway,’ Nerida concluded her post.
‘No doubt she felt fear when I asked her if I could post publicly about her and her weight. But she said to go ahead anyway. I’m with you every step of this journey.’
Nerida’s post led to an outpouring of support from others who hailed Krichelle as a ‘legend’.
‘Amazing Krichelle! You are a true inspiration and honestly it is so amazing watching you kick some goals each and every day in that gym,’ wrote Courtney Bennis.
‘Awesome! Go get that goal girl!’ wrote another commenter, Cheri-Lee Henderson.
Hate the gym? Read Nerida’s top tips for getting started on exercise here
This article originally appeared on New Idea.