Margie Cerato

Vibes Fitness Founder

Childhood

I was born on the 21st March 1964. As you can see by the photo I liked to climb trees. I was a bit of a tomboy.

My parents are European: my mother is Spanish and my father is Italian. Growing up there was always plenty of food available. My family members are all of a larger body type so I always believed that I would never be skinny. I was genetically predisposed to having a larger body type.

Looking back, it seems like a lifetime ago. I now have 27 years experience in the health and fitness industry, have witnessed many changes in this industry and have a plethora of stories to share with you.

Adolescence

The next photo shows me at 16 years old, weighing 55KG with 30% body fat. I wasn't comfortable with being so voluptuous and having large breast as people would look at me all the time. I remember thinking as a teenager all I wanted was abs. As you can see by the photo I was quite voluptuous.

Initially, exercising for me was hard work because I didn't like doing it. I spent most of my teen years yo yo dieting, jumping onto every new fad diet going around at the time. Sometimes I remember starving myself.

I can also remember a day when I ate 2 litres of ice cream, a huge bag of twisties and a block of Cadburys chocolate. On the same night, I ate a large pizza, drank a bottle of coke, and then consumed a bag of lollies and half a cream cake. I was a binge eater and carbohydrate addict, often eating until I couldn't move. (These days it’s called emotional/stress eating).

My childhood was lonely; I remember feeling very different to everybody else. Often I would cry for no reason. I was either laughing or crying and had so many mixed emotions that I never expressed to anyone. Eating seemed to comfort me and appeared to be my only solution to feel good, but it always left me feeling guilty and empty.

Often out of control emotionally and being an emotional eater and European created a recipe for disaster. Our whole lives were based around food and eating. My parents beliefs were constantly thrown at us, laced with liberal servings of guilt, with statements like: "Finish off the food on your plate as there were kids starving in India!" and "During the war we only had bread and lard to eat".

The First Step Forward

The turning point for me was when I started working in the health and fitness industry. I began studying; educating my mind and body in the functioning of our bodies. I realised that I had to deal with the emotions that I was bottling up inside. I had low self-esteem and a low opinion of myself. I wasn't at peace at all.

The healing commenced, starting with my mind, with the study in Neuro linguistic programming (NLP). I began to deal with all those bottled up emotions and the reasons for the binge eating and food addictions.

I eventually studied the blood type diet. Being an O+ blood type, I should be eating a cave man diet with lots of protein, vegies and fruit. I experimented with this and find that it really works for me. I learned that when the body isn’t getting enough nutrients you often binge or crave carbohydrates. Eating for your blood type will feed your body the nutrients it needs and will satisfy cravings. It certainly has stopped my carb cravings.

If at times the cravings re-appear I know that there is something I need to deal with emotionally. I then have to ask the question, “What am I stuffing down?”

I eat a balanced in take of food including carbohydrates throughout the day often eating them in the morning and/or lunch times and at night eat smaller portions sizes consisting of protein and veggies. I also do not eat any preservatives or processed foods. Once a week I have a free day and eat goodies that I like.

This works for me. I am constantly studying and educating myself, often going somewhere for a weekend, week or month to update my knowledge and qualifications. I'm like a sponge soaking up all new information I can get my hands on, learning as much as I can.

Pain, Persistence...

Ten years ago in 1996, I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue, glandular fever and various other ailments: a result of over training.

I also cracked my sacrum rollerblading with a friend. I fell and, landing on my buttocks, bounced on the concrete. It was excruciating. I couldn't walk properly for a long time. At that point, I was run down, burnt out and had no balance in my life. It was another point in my life where I needed to stop and listen to my body and mind, take a break, re-evaluate and heal.

Around the same time I had a series of car accidents, which severely damaged my jaw and neck. I was advised to have a jaw operation to stop my jaw dislocating repeatedly. My neck was also a mess.

Photograph no. 3 shows me holding my stomach. I was completely inactive for an extended period while I healed, and consequently I put on 20 kg. I weighed 72kg, with my body fat at 42%. The photo next to it shows a rear view.

I was completely frustrated by doctors saying I would never work in the industry again and that I should give up my job. My back, they said, is so twisted, creating havoc in my jaw and neck..

With x-rays in hand, I visited every health professional I thought might help. It felt as though I had received advice from half of Melbourne. The diagnosis that I live with today is scoliosis in the spine. My hips pop in and out occasionally so often I'm lop-sided when I walk. Perhaps it is hereditary as my sister was born with hip problems.

My jaw dislocates regularly and I now grind my teeth, resulting in a need to wear a plate at night. I was frustrated and in constantly experiencing unbearable pain. So I went back to eating in search of comfort. One day, after a friend took this photo of me holding my stomach, I woke up. "ENOUGH!” I thought, “I am going to rehabilitate, heal myself fix my back and get on with living".

I began studying core stabilization, exercise and sports science. I studied Pilate's mat and reformer beds and Clinical Pilate's. I went on to do my level IV in fitness and got my personal training certificate, did additional NLP training and various other diplomas (see qualifications page) This led me to where I am today.

Slowly, I started exercising again mainly doing core stability and Pilate reformer bed training, supplemented with lots of mind work. (Healthy mind healthy body). NLP dealt with emotional blockages that arose during the process. I faced my fears, and once again, cleansed myself.

...and Success

Its now 2006 and ten great years have passed. The photo in the black bikinis is me now. I weigh 52 kilos with 15% body fat. I balance my lifestyle daily eating more than any man I know. I eat approximately 6 small meals a day, sometimes more. Occasionally it’s not too balanced, but that is ok because when I go out of balance for a day or two, the important thing is that I bring myself back into balance quickly and without guilt. Nobody is perfect.

On a weekly or sometimes fortnightly basis I receive acupuncture treatment to balance my body, back, neck and jaw. This works for me.

I know that we can all have the body we want if we just decide what that body is to look and feel like. It means creating a goal/vision, and focusing on those goals with discipline, determination, and dedication.

The four D’s of achievement are: Decision, Discipline, Dedication & Determination.

I wanted to share this story with you so that you will know where I have come from. I understand the heartaches of not being in shape. I empathise with your frustration when you do not achieve your weight loss or goals. I know what it's like to have back pain and not be able to walk or sleep. I have turned my life around and I can assist you in doing the same.

Make a Change

The most significant lesson I have learned over these years is that it doesn't matter what shape or size you are it's who you are and whether you are happy with yourself the way you are now that counts most. If you can truly can say “I am okay!” and that you are happy with yourself regardless of your shape and size then you have a healthy self esteem.

So for me these days it’s about a mind/body balance, accepting what shape you are in right now. If you're not happy, ask yourself why not. What can I do to help myself? If you don't like it, do something about it TODAY. Make the decision to make the changes.

Today I really enjoy exercise. I love the shape, strength, endurance that training gives me. It’s invigorating and I feel alive. Today I know myself inside and out. I now understand and embrace my weaknesses and strengths. We all have them.

Being honest with yourself does not make you vulnerable. It actually makes you powerful. When you are honest, you can then make the Decision.

I have found peace deep within myself and I love my own company. I have learned that nothing can bring you peace. It comes from within. Understanding that we all have layers, just like onions, is the first step to getting the lifestyle and shape we want - today.

If honestly you want to lose weight, get in shape or to know yourself better, then you must decide. Why not do it today?

So my question for you is do you want to:

If you answered Yes to any of the above, then call me now for a free, no obligation chat and a refreshing juice.

We can start you on your new journey in becoming the best you can be. Right Now ……Today.

I can guide you through this journey but you must be prepared to do the work and become committed to your outcome.