My Journey So Far…

I find it really powerful when others or myself share their personal experiences about their  journey, especially in the fitness industry. It’s kind of more believable and inspiring to hear instead of hearing the ‘facts’ or how you ‘should’ go about living your life in a healthier way. Because, truth be told – nothing works out the way we expect. We are different and what might work for me may not work for you. It’s important to find out what works well for you and most importantly do something you enjoy. 

The beginning

My journey began about 3/2 years ago. I had just come out of a relationship and I wanted to invest in something to take my mind of it. Very cliche but true. I wasn’t overweight but I never worked out (at all) and my diet wasn’t too good either. I would binge drink on the weekends, recover with a hangover and have too many ‘comforting’ dinners and snacks during the week. So, one Saturday after my shift I brought a Jillian Michaels DVD, 30 day SHRED and I went home, sweated the most I had ever sweated and nearly died 10x times. But I done it, I pushed myself through a workout – my first ever workout. I kept this up for 30 days (the timescale of the DVD) and didn’t miss a day. During these 30 days I began searching fitness hashtags on Instagram to find motivation and food ideas. I suddenly found myself enjoying this new way of living. I was no longer tired, I had tons of energy and my mood increased drastically.

How much is too healthy?

After I completed Jillian Michaels 30 day shred I then moved onto other workouts such as Blogilates (intense pilates) which I found on YouTube, FitnessBlender and YaBoyMillhoy videos which again, were on YouTube. Never in my life have I worked out in a gym. All my workouts are completed at home – it really is quite easy. During these months my diet was looking a lot healthier. In fact, I started to obsess about what I could and couldn’t eat. I found myself restricting all foods that were seen as ‘unhealthy’ and instead fuelling myself with all the ‘healthy’ stuff. I would go weeks without having a ‘cheat’ meal and would feel incredibly proud of myself. That part of my lifestyle slowly over ruled my life. I would miss out on social events because I was too obsessed about eating clean, I would miss out on the simple idea of enjoying an ice-cream along the shore, I would miss out on Saturday night takeaway night, and eventually, I was missing out on the enjoyment of life.

Fast forward a few months and I found Kayla Itsines on Instagram and her Bikini Body Guide – AKA, ‘BBG’. This is where everything changed for me. I decided to become a part of the BBG online community through Instagram. So, I set up a fitness account, got myself involved with the community, made new friends and slowly found a new love and passion in life. My lifestyle completely changed and all for the better. Of course I became stronger, healthier and fitter but my mindset completely changed too. I became more motivated in life with goals to achieve. I had a brand new mindset in life.

During the months of the BBG I also re-kindled my relationship with food. I learnt not to obsess over the idea of eating clean 24/7 and instead had a more balanced approach to it. Now, I eat clean during the week but relax a little on the weekend. I’ll quite easily have a whole large pizza to myself on a Saturday night and not blink an eyelid. Then the next day I’ll get back on it. It’s important to eat healthy, work hard but also enjoy the little things in life. Want an ice-cream? Go ahead and have one. Want a milkshake? You deserve it. Food is food. Don’t give it a label. Instead, enjoy it in moderation and learn the balance that works for you. Because at the end of the day, life is too short to say no to cake. Or pizza. Or ice-cream. Oh heck, everything!

Strength training

After I completed both of Kayla Itsines BBG (1.0 & 2.0) I then decided to give strength training a go. As challenging as BBG was, I began to find myself dreading the 7 minute timer. So, I knew it was time to change things up a little (do what you enjoy). By this time my body has changed. I had toned up a lot and now I was ready to grow my body in ways I never thought possible. If you had told me 3 years ago that I would be lifting weights 5/6 days a week I would have considered the fact that you had lost the plot. But now, here I am loving a fitness plan that works well for me and provides amazing results. Sure, it’s hard but it’s the determination and growth (physically and mentally) that keeps me going!

Today

Considering how I was 3 years ago – Unfit, lazy (as hell), no determination and a binger… I would say things have turned out pretty well. After overcoming my obstacles (my unhealthy relationship with food and excessive training) I now live a healthy and balanced lifestyle which I absolutely love sharing with others. Rewind back to those years and I would have never thought that I would have my own health & fitness lifestyle blog, start strength training, make amazing new friends or yet start baking and cooking my own food properly!

Things have changed massively for me over my two year journey and it’s only for the better. I’m a real believer that you should only do the things you want to do. Don’t force yourself to do something you dislike. Instead, make it work for you, fall in love with and and you’ll soon find it becomes a part of your lifestyle.

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