Starting out? Here's what I did right.

I've been training for a looong time, and lately I've been thinking about how I started and what made me keep going all these years. Because at the beginning, let me tell you, I didn't like the gym all that much. I couldn't be bothered and I would fill with a dread-like feeling when I thought about going. I remember once walking into the changing rooms, sitting down and thinking 'nah f*&k this' and walking back out 😂

But, I like food. And back then I just wanted to be skinny. Since I turned 17 I could put on weight so god damn fast and I knew I had to exercise. And I did loooove the feeling when I was done. So off I went. 

So what kept me going and helped me make progress quickly? I got myself a trainer. The first trainer I had offered her services for free when I worked as a receptionist in a gym. We became really good friends and I started to enjoy going. I had my programme at the ready, didn't have to think about anything, for me that was perfect.

Once I had my first daughter, I started to pay a trainer and started to take it more seriously. This lady helped me understand that focusing on my strength rather than losing weight (which I didn't need to do), was the best way and really made me learn to love what I was doing rather than just loving the results - when they came. Don't get me wrong she worked my arse off and sometimes the exercises were not fun! When she first introduced me to front squats I really could have cried 😂. But, the feeling was addictive and I started to get good at it. The workouts became more and more challenging and I welcomed it, I was so surprised how far my body could go. I would be thinking I cannot do anymore, but you guessed it, my trainer said '3 more' so you do 3 more!

At age 27, I had a 3 year old daughter and I felt fitter than I had ever felt in my life. I had so much energy, I felt happier, stronger and actually looked in the mirror and loved the way I looked. Before this point I could be quite self conscious of my stomach, not even wanting my partner to see it. But all that went away. I've always loved clothes but I started buying tighter fitting clothes and not worrying about which items would cover my belly nicely. There is nothing quite like seeing results to catapult you into a 4-5 time a week gym goer. And from there I've loved it more and more and more.

The next thing I would say was key was consistency. Even when I didn't want to, I dedicated myself to 4 sessions weekly and that's what I did. It took some manoeuvring with a job, child, partner, house, dog blah blah blah but I was doing it no matter what. Some sessions were good, some not so. I didn't really think or care too much about it, I just did what I could that day and stopped thinking about where I wanted to take it. It was treated as a part of me, I needed the gym like I needed food and sleep. To you, that might seem dramatic and maybe daft, but honestly that's how it is for me now. 

And of course I have to mention food. Now diet is never plain sailing is it 😂 and I'm not going to pretend it was perfect because it obviously was not. Looking back there were family events I wish I'd have enjoyed myself a bit more. At my daughter's birthday I would cut myself some cake and put it in a lunchbox for Sunday, at family parties I often turned down a drink. Life is always about balance and there are times when we can say no and times when you can and should just go for it. You can only decide the difference based on what is important to you, it's your life.

But what I did do right was eat lots of protein and vegetables and I ate a lot! 3 sometimes 4 meals everyday without fail. I've experimented with calories and different types of foods. I now know what works for me and my body and what doesn't. I'm not afraid to add calories in when I know my body needs them.

I also make sure my children see me eating chocolate and cake and burgers but they also see me eating lots of lovely healthy food too, never skipping meals and drinking lots of water. That's what's important to me.

I wanted to touch on what went right along the way as well as what I could have done better (a later blog). I think it's important in every part of life to acknowledge the bits you did right as well as where you might have gone wrong.

If you would like some help on your journey, don't hesitate to get in touch and start living the life you want to lead.