First things first, I don’t know if anyone will actually ever read this blog, but that’s OK by me! I am doing this for myself, to keep me motivated and to track my journey and progress to reaching healthier, active lifestyle. Even if I reach just one person who is inspired, or learns something new here, then amazing! I also really enjoy writing and blogging, so I guess this is one of my hobbies too.
A bit about me…
So, really quickly, I am in my twenties, working full time in digital marketing for a major law firm. My journey started with finding satisfaction in regularly attending group exercise classes at my local gym. I go to Pure Gym in Reading (Caversham Road). I got really in to it, going at least 5 times a week, every week.
I haven’t always loved the gym, or any form of exercise. I grew up hating P.E. in school, and would try to avoid it at all costs. Although, growing up in my teens, my size and weight, and what I ate was often at the forefront of my mind, and when I was about 15/16 years old I was on the brink of developing an eating disorder consuming 400 - 600 calories a day. I weighed a ridiculous 8 stone - I was 5ft 10!
University days saw me put on a few pounds (OK almost 2 stone) as a result of too many nights out and junk food. I didn't care, I pretty much "let go" of myself. After graduating, going through a break up and entering adulthood I decided to occasionally go to the gym every now and then, using the treadmill or cross trainer for half an hour at a time. Boring! I didn’t have a clue what I was doing to be honest. I wasn’t brave enough to attend group classes or get a PT at that point, I felt too embarrassed at how unfit I was after a lifetime of never exercising.
Getting frustrated and still with the mindset of hating exercise my mind quickly focused back on diets again. All the crazy, quick term solution, fad diets you could think of. I spent far too much money and none of them had any lasting effects, or they were just plain ridiculous. I enjoy eating, I love food, so a diet that insists you drink your meals just didn't seem stupid. I may have lost weight quickly this way, but there's no way I could keep it up and as soon as I resumed regular eating, I'd pile the pounds straight back on and then some.
I've now learnt, and am still learning, what my body's nutritional needs really are for it to be at it's optimal health. I'm still experimenting with theories that I have read about, it's all very interesting stuff, every body is different, so it's all about determining what works for you, and what you want to achieve.
Anyway, I wanted to share this journey of mine in this blog, I'll also be throwing in any recipes I come up with, tips and motivation, and mostly my progress and what I learn along the way.
