After gaining 30kg over the course of her first pregnancy, Simone Gately set out to achieve her best body yet, committing to a lifestyle of optimum health and fitness.
Now, she shares her journey with more than 20,000 followers on her fast-growing Instagram account with a simple goal: to help others achieve the same.
“Balancing being a mum and leading a healthy lifestyle hasn’t been difficult but I know for some women it is and that’s why I’m here to help,” the 35-year-old says to news.com.au.
Since welcoming her first daughter, Summer, now 10, Simone has given birth to four more kids: Minnie, three, India, five, Blossom, seven and Chester, eight.
“I’ve since had another four children who are now all under the age of nine and although my stomach has stretched and deflated so many times, I still have strong ab muscles.”
While it may perhaps seem baffling how a mother-of-five could fit in time to work out, the trick, says Simone, is to include your brood and make getting active it a family affair.
“I try to walk everywhere and when I’m off with the kids we will go on a bike ride or hike, I like them to enjoy the outdoors rather than sitting indoors on a computer game.”
“I even use the kids as weights when I’m working out, something they find really fun. I will pop them on my back when doing press-ups and squats, now I’m really into my fitness and healthy eating, I’m full of energy and even with five kids, I still manage to have ‘Me’ time, it’s amazing.”
Since we simply can’t have one without the other, Simone also follows a healthy diet to ensure optimum health for her and her family. While her taught figure screams discipline, the blonde beauty confesses that she enjoys the occasional “chocolatey treat”.
“I now have fresh food and try to avoid anything processed such as pasta and bread, as not only does it make me look better but I feel better for it too.”
Simone’s day on a plate consists of a protein-packed breaky made up of fruit, yoghurt and granola with a side of two boiled eggs. For lunch, a wholegrain salad with chicken or salmon is her go-to.
If the arvo cravings hit, Simone will snack away on oat cakes or a handful of popcorn, before finishing her day off with a lean dinner of fish or turkey mince with roast veggies.
What do you think of Simone’s get-fit routine and her approach to a health lifestyle? Tell us by commenting on our Facebook page.
