In March, 2016, Alysha Frigo, 35, had tipped the scales at 90 kilograms and was feeling unhealthy and increasingly unhappy with how she looked.
The mother-of-one, from Melbourne, had struggled to lose weight after giving birth to her now three-year-old son and was regularly eating high carb meals, processed food and sugar.
But instead of letting her weight gain get her down, the determined sales professional appeared on Nine’s This Time Next Year and pledged to transform her figure and compete as a bodybuilder within 12 months.
And the glowing mum was successful in her ambitious mission, with Alysha appearing on Monday night’s episode and blowing the audience away with her incredible new physique.
In March, 2016, Alysha Frigo, 35, had tipped the scales at 90 kilograms, was feeling unhealthy and felt increasingly unhappy with how she looked – within a year, she was a bodybuilder
‘I decided to go on the show because I knew it would be good motivation – cameras don’t lie,’ Alysha told FEMAIL.
‘Shortly before that I woke up one day and I had just had enough and knew something had to change. I had travelled and just felt so uncomfortable in my plane seat and after seeing photos of myself I just felt awful.
‘I was just so heavy and it impacted my life in every way.
Alysha started on a strict regime where she was doing four hour-long weights sessions and two cardio sessions with her trainers at Tabban Gym in Richmond every week
Alysha is pictured on the show in 2016 (left) before reappearing in early 2017 (right) to debut her amazing results
‘It was this combination of events and my own motivation that really pushed me to do something and, above all, I wanted to be the best version of myself for my little boy.’
Alysha started on a strict regime where she was doing four hour-long weights sessions and two cardio sessions with her trainers at Tabban Gym in Richmond every week.
‘I was lifting medium weights because it was about burning calories and my cardio sessions were varied – a lot of HIIT training and a couple of runs,’ Alysha said.
‘The first cardio session I did I was nearly sick and I was questioning what I had gotten myself into but after a while I got into it and started feeling incredible.’
‘Before I started it all I was eating a lot of carbs and processed foods – I love breads and pastas and while it’s fine in moderation I was eating way too much,’ Alysha said
‘It was really easy to do once I prepared for it because I was so motivated, I had this inner fire,’ she said (pictured revealing her new body on TV)
Alysha, who was close to developing celiac disease because of her diet, also had a strict nutrition program drawn up.
‘Before I started it all I was eating a lot of carbs and processed foods – I love breads and pastas and while it’s fine in moderation I was eating way too much,’ Alysha said.
‘My trainer put me on a diet plan which consisted of six to seven meals per day, non-processed carbs, lean proteins, veggies and fruit.
‘It was really easy to do once I prepared for it because I was so motivated, I had this inner fire.’
Despite falling ill at stages and plateauing once, Alysha pushed through to achieve her goal of competing and shed an amazing 30 kilos in the process
‘It was amazing and while I had competed years and years ago before pregnancy it was very different coming back when you’ve had ab separation and enormous weight gain,’ she said
Despite falling ill at stages and plateauing once, Alysha pushed through to achieve her goal of competing and shed an amazing 30 kilos in the process.
She stepped on stage in February, 2017.
‘It was amazing and while I had competed years and years ago before pregnancy it was very different coming back when you’ve had ab separation and enormous weight gain,’ she said.
‘I cried after I got a trophy, I couldn’t believe I had actually done it. It’s still surreal.’
Alysha, who has now added more balance to her diet and workout regime says she will consider hitting the stage again in the future but hopes to grow her family first
Alysha said watching the whole experience back was simply surreal
Alysha, who has now added more balance to her diet and workout regime says she will consider hitting the stage again in the future but hopes to grow her family first.
‘I have a really healthy lifestyle still but I am not in comp mode anymore and am all about balance. I will happily enjoy a glass of wine but I also really enjoy exercise and healthy meals,’ she said.
Alysha said watching the whole experience back was simply surreal.
‘Seeing that me from 2016 on stage last night was just crazy and when I first saw that image of me backstage I cried just thinking about how I had let myself get to that point,’ Alysha said.
Alysha has inspired women around the country with her results and hopes to show that anyone can achieve what they set their mind to
‘It was almost a disappointment in a way but now it’s just tears of joy because I am so happy I was able to do it – there truly were periods where I didn’t think I’d get here.’
Alysha has inspired women around the country with her results and hopes to show that anyone can achieve what they set their mind to.
‘I work full-time myself but it’s about booking in time for exercise and sticking to it and making sure you have a support system around you that can help,’ she said.
‘I am so thrilled to be a healthy role model for my son and I am overwhelmed with how many women have messaged me and reached out to me saying they relate to my story or that my story inspired them.
‘It’s just wonderful.’