Woman shows how eating more has transformed her figure

Fitness guru Lucy Baker, 25, is proof that an unsustainable, strict diet is not the key to a fit, healthy physique. 

The Sydney-based marketing executive, who spent years following fad diets followed by periods of strict exercise and diet regimes, recently shared a shared a snap of how her figure has changed since eating more and embracing balance. 

When scrolling through your feed on social media, do you ever feel like you’re not good enough? Do you compare yourself to others and think you look too big, too small, too muscly, too skinny?’ Ms Baker wrote on her Instagram account.

Fitness guru Lucy Baker, 25, is proof that an unsustainable, strict diet is not the key to a fit, healthy physique

The Sydney-based marketing executive, who spent years following fad diets followed by periods of strict exercise and diet regimes, recently shared a shared a snap of how her figure has changed since eating more and embracing balance

The Sydney-based marketing executive, who spent years following fad diets followed by periods of strict exercise and diet regimes, recently shared a shared a snap of how her figure has changed since eating more and embracing balance

‘It’s SO easy to point out our own flaws and be super hard on ourselves, but to someone else you look amazing.’

Ms Baker said that when the middle image of herself was taken, she was following a very strict regime. 

‘That was me exercising every day, eating little and doing everything possible to be “slim” and “toned”,’ Ms Baker said. 

‘Then I realised that actually, I wasn’t all that happy. My body is different to every other out there, and killing myself each day to look a certain way definitely wasn’t healthy.

'My body is different to every other out there, and killing myself each day to look a certain way definitely wasn't healthy,' she said (pictured posing for snaps 10 seconds apart) 

‘My body is different to every other out there, and killing myself each day to look a certain way definitely wasn’t healthy,’ she said (pictured posing for snaps 10 seconds apart) 

Ms Baker now enjoys wholesome meals and doesn't restrict her calories to unsustainable amounts

Ms Baker now enjoys wholesome meals and doesn't restrict her calories to unsustainable amounts

Ms Baker now enjoys wholesome meals and doesn’t restrict her calories to unsustainable amounts 

‘Thank goodness my mindset has changed over time. I still see exercise as something I love, but now live a sustainable lifestyle (ie food).

‘You can’t compare yourself to someone’s life on social media as most likely they don’t look like that 24/7. It’s so important to find a balance that works for you, to find what makes YOU happy and stick with it!’

Now eating an average of 2,000 calories per day and not exercising every day, Ms Baker has mastered a sustainable lifestyle – one that is far different to the one she was living before.  

‘I used to think being fit and healthy meant all sorts of crazy things like needing to cut carbs and sugar from my diet, not going out, eating plain food and exercise every day,’ she wrote previously. 

'Thank goodness my mindset has changed over time. I still see exercise as something I love, but now live a sustainable lifestyle (ie food),' she said 

‘Thank goodness my mindset has changed over time. I still see exercise as something I love, but now live a sustainable lifestyle (ie food),’ she said 

Lucy Baker, 25, (left in 2013 and right, now) spent years trying fad diets to lose weight and get fit but she only saw results after relaxing her strict diet and following a 12 week program 

Lucy Baker, 25, (left in 2013 and right, now) spent years trying fad diets to lose weight and get fit but she only saw results after relaxing her strict diet and following a 12 week program 

What is a good short HIIT workout to do? 

Ms Baker recommends this 15 minute workout for first thing in the morning: 

HIIT training: 40 seconds on, 20 seconds rest of: 

Burpees

Mountain climbers

Squat jumps

Jump lunges

Abs/toe touches/pressups 

 

‘This time last year I would worry about how much I was eating, or if I treated myself I would have to plan another workout to burn it off.., or feel bad if I then didn’t. If I gained the smallest amount of fat I would see it as failing. 

‘Having abs constantly means you’re usually tired, hungry and way more susceptible to getting ill – I definitely was! So is it worth being that lean? In my eyes, no.’ 

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia previously, Ms Baker said that she had tried everything to boost her fitness after graduating university. 

The London-born marketing executive, who moved to Sydney in January, would join gym memberships, purchase countless fad diets and restrict or count her calories. 

The London-born marketing executive, who moved to Sydney in January, would join gym memberships, purchase countless fad diets and restrict or count her calories

The London-born marketing executive, who moved to Sydney in January, would join gym memberships, purchase countless fad diets and restrict or count her calories

The London-born marketing executive, who moved to Sydney in January, would join gym memberships, purchase countless fad diets and restrict or count her calories

Ms Baker saw her body transform and her energy levels skyrocket

Ms Baker saw her body transform and her energy levels skyrocket

But after finally signing up to a 12 week program and teaching herself about the importance of moderation and balance, Ms Baker saw her body transform and her energy levels skyrocket

But after finally signing up to a 12 week program and teaching herself about the importance of moderation and balance, Ms Baker saw her body transform and her energy levels skyrocket

'Before I started the program I was bad - I would binge on some days and do things like buy a family size box of chocolates and eat them all at once,' Ms Baker told Daily Mail Australia

‘Before I started the program I was bad – I would binge on some days and do things like buy a family size box of chocolates and eat them all at once,’ Ms Baker told Daily Mail Australia

But after finally signing up to a 12 week program and teaching herself about the importance of moderation and balance, Ms Baker saw her body transform and her energy levels skyrocket. 

‘Before I started the program I was bad – I would binge on some days and do things like buy a family size box of chocolates and eat them all at once,’ Ms Baker told Daily Mail Australia.

‘I would eat quick and easy foods and while I did enjoy nice and healthy food, I would often just pick something up for dinner on the way home which is bad.

‘I also tried stupid fad diets and even tried eating salad every day for a week which was ridiculous because I hate salads.’

At first Ms Baker was overdoing it with her restrictive diet (left) so she ate more, gained seven kilos (right) and has never looked or felt better 

At first Ms Baker was overdoing it with her restrictive diet (left) so she ate more, gained seven kilos (right) and has never looked or felt better 

'The whole thing was about not getting on the scales or being restrictive and just looking at yourself in the mirror and seeing results or feeling them,' she said 

‘The whole thing was about not getting on the scales or being restrictive and just looking at yourself in the mirror and seeing results or feeling them,’ she said 

After seeing impressive transformation photos and reviews online, Ms Baker decided to sign up for Kayla Itsines’ fitness program [not the diet program] for 12 weeks which saw her try a variety of quick workouts involving HIIT training and weights.

‘It was brilliant – all I needed was adjustable dumbbells, a mat and a resistance band at home,’ Ms Baker said. 

‘The whole thing was about not getting on the scales or being restrictive and just looking at yourself in the mirror and seeing results or feeling them. Within four weeks I was seeing results.

‘After four weeks I felt so much better. Before, I would get home and sit on the couch and go to bed at 9pm whereas afterwards, I would get home and feel so energetic and happy and I would look in the mirror and see my legs and stomach toning up.’

In terms of diet, Ms Baker admits she probably overdid it at first as she became so excited by her transforming body

In terms of diet, Ms Baker admits she probably overdid it at first as she became so excited by her transforming body

What are Lucy Baker’s top fitness tips? 

* Get advice from friends into fitness or see a personal trainer 

* Go to a class to build up confidence

* You only need 30 minutes per day – not an hour or two hours 

* Small changes are the most important thing – and stick to them 

* Progress takes time – take it slow, drink lots of water and enjoy the process without being restrictive 

In terms of diet, Ms Baker admits she probably overdid it at first as she became so excited by her transforming body. 

But after learning that undereating would do nothing for her physique or energy levels, she researched healthy eating and instead of eating around 1,000 calories per day, she was eating closer to 2,000. 

‘Eating more was so important. I saw my body get stronger and I felt so much better. At first I couldn’t do any press ups and then I was able to do 20 in a row without a problem,’ she said. 

‘I try and keep all my meals nutritionally balanced – protein, good fats and vegetables – but I am so flexible as well and believe that treats or cheat meals are necessary.

'Eating more was so important. I saw my body get stronger and I felt so much better. At first I couldn't do any press ups and then I was able to do 20 in a row without a problem,' she said

‘Eating more was so important. I saw my body get stronger and I felt so much better. At first I couldn’t do any press ups and then I was able to do 20 in a row without a problem,’ she said

'My personal experience is don't be afraid of food. Food is your friend. I was 100 per cent scared of carbs early on and I thought strict dieting was the only way,' she said 

‘My personal experience is don’t be afraid of food. Food is your friend. I was 100 per cent scared of carbs early on and I thought strict dieting was the only way,’ she said 

Since beginning her journey she has shared her fitness and health tips on her Instagram page, FitLifeLucy , where she has close to 80,000 followers 

Since beginning her journey she has shared her fitness and health tips on her Instagram page, FitLifeLucy , where she has close to 80,000 followers 

‘My personal experience is don’t be afraid of food. Food is your friend. I was 100 per cent scared of carbs early on and I thought strict dieting was the only way. I am so relaxed now and if I want a treat every day I will have one.’ 

Ms Baker still incorporates Kayla Itsines’ program into her everyday routine but she also recently joined the gym to have access to group classes and more weights. 

Since beginning her journey she has shared her fitness and health tips on her Instagram page, FitLifeLucy, where she has close to 80,000 followers.  

‘Yep, that’s it! No crazy diets, no cutting carbs or low calorie plans. Just plain and simple: exercise & good food. So if you want to have a donut or piece of cake today.. DO IT,’ she said. 

‘You don’t need to deprive your body of the things you love.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk