I don’t know about anyone else but I sometimes “write” these sorts of things in my head, I have so many ideas of the things I want to say so that when the time comes to sit and write it, sometimes I draw a blank!! But here goes ❤

August 2020, Roger & I started a journey. It was/is a journey to healthier and fitter us, a journey to invest in ourselves so that we can be around for our kids for many years to come.

I didn’t ever think I would celebrate an anniversary with another man but this one is an important one to recognise 😉

28 September 2020, Roger and I started Personal Training, we planned to do this for only 8 weeks.

I was petrified, anxious and scared as i’d never done it before! I didn’t know what to expect, my only experiences of a PT and what they look like was the biggest loser when I would sit on my couch eating ice-cream watching…. So the unexpected staring me down was, am I about to get Bob, Michelle or Commando putting me through my paces???

Who I got was Dan (https://www.instagram.com/danrichardfitness/) and I was pleasantly surprised!! Dan is calming and encouraging, he pushes me when I need it and supports me when I don’t, that 8 weeks turned quickly into today celebrating our 1 year PT-Aversary. Dan trains me, Roge, Lily & regularly takes Ira through Basketball Skill sessions also!

So as I reflect today on how far i’ve come, I wanted to just share some of my thoughts from along the way… I had really hoped that I would achieve a mini goal of being back in the double digits by today which i’m a little bummed about (3kg to go) but it’s also par for the course, I am not stopping and I know it’s just a matter of time… now to those thoughts:

Firstly, just start… I think that we are all so scared to do the things that are confronting and take us out of our comfort zone don’t get me wrong, fear is a valid but I had a quote in a book from high school that said “Feel the fear and do it anyway” this for me was a crucial step in the journey.

Next, find yourself a coach/trainer/accountability partner, If I hadn’t had the reassuring guidance from Dan along the way with Roge by my side doing it with me, I am not confident I would have made it this far.

Then learn/listen to your body… I have weighed myself daily, I have learned that YES the scales go down when I have less carbs but that’s cause I have less water retention, I have learned that some days you can’t stick within your calories and THAT IS OK…. Just don’t do it all the time. Someone said to me “one hot day doesn’t make a summer” and i’ve embraced that because it’s so so so true!!

Also be a chick who embraces getting STRONG, nothing feels better in the gym than lifting more than the last time, lifting more than my bodyweight or even recognising that when doing horrible Rear-Foot Elevated lunges (that I complain about the whole time doing them 😉 ) holding 12.5kg dumbells in each hand that i’m holding the weight i’ve lost and if its that hard, how must my body and joints have felt it over 12 months ago just living that way!

I also have times I wonder how on earth I let myself get to the size I did, it truly felt like it happened overnight. I know it stemmed from living in survival mode after 2016 (see last blog for more detail)
I know that we had days that I was struggling so much, it was maccas/kfc/hungry jacks just so we could all eat cause I was just so depressed, it’s taken me a long time to forgive myself for that and accept that it was ok… just surviving is ok…. however I am so grateful that period is now behind us!

Lastly, take photos, celebrate your wins, share the successes with those who are cheering you on in the corner… because if i’ve learned anything this past 12 months that YOU ARE WORTH IT and You deserve to have your cake and eat it too because my friends, with flexible dieting and a killer PT, you CAN! #ProgressNotPerfection

PSA – Dan has spots available if you think you’re ready, hit him up on Insta, you won’t regret it!