From meh to fit… My fitness journey

My love for fitness started about 13 years ago when I first joined the gym. I remember it like yesterday! It was June 2005. I had just arrived back from the states and had packed on the pounds after 2 weeks of eating big everything!

Having never stepped a foot into a gym or participated in sport at school this was all very new and quite daunting to me and I didn’t have a clue where to start or what and when to eat? Living on pies, chocolates and those yummy grilled cheese rolls from spar with a piece of streaky bacon on the top! That was my brekkie almost EVERY morning! OMG!

Don’t get me wrong, I always aspired to the fit life and I did eat the occasional, well, what I thought to be healthy meal and did the odd run around the block but never really committed.

So I started with classes, Step and Pilates and gradually started to work on my diet, by adopting one good habit at a time. It was hard at first and I often doubted myself, but I stuck it out and in no time I was hooked! I loved it!  I’d wake up at 5 am most mornings and hit a class. And I gradually over time started to see changes in my body and in my overall health and energy levels. It was great! The fitness bug had bit!

At the end of 2005, I found out that I was pregnant with twins, YES! Twins! And due to being a high-risk pregnancy was advised not to exercise for the duration of my pregnancy. Bummer! But I listened, nothing was more important to me than carrying my babies to term.

14 weeks and the bump is clearly visible! Note, no muscles in my arms, those came later 🙂

Myself and my eldest son Josh (4 years here) on Mr Price shoot at 26 weeks pregnant

34 weeks pregnant with the twins

I had a good, healthy pregnancy and gave birth to two healthy baby boys at 37 weeks (full term for twins). Although I wasn’t able to train during my pregnancy I continued to eat a healthy diet and only ate when I was hungry. And as soon as I was all healed up and given the all clear by my Gynae I was back in the gym. And I must say all the hard work that I had put into my body before my pregnancy (esp the Pilates classes) most definitely paid off. My body sprung back into shape in no time!

As time went by I began to explore a little outside the studio, doing spinning classes, yoga and running etc. But alas my fave was always the step classes. I loved the constant go and challenge, and it never got boring.

I then started to get curious about weight training, but this was a little scary for me. There was NO way I was heading over to that section with all those big dudes pumping iron. Nope, I was convinced that I’d stick out like a sore thumb. Classes were safe.

But in 2011 I decided I had to give it a go! It was time to brave the weight section! I chatted to a personal trainer friend of mine, Warren Ahrens who offered to show me around, help me with a program and show me correct basic form. I loved it! Yes! I felt mighty awkward in the beginning and yes I made so so many dumb ass mistakes and looked like a complete dork, luckily I didn’t know at the time and can have a chuckle about them all now.

I absolutely killed that program and from there, as I gradually gained my confidence started exploring loads of various other training programs and techniques.

Fast forward 13 years later, I find myself here! Mixing it up as an absolute health and fitness nut, studying to be a personal trainer. Still exploring and learning. When I think back to that first day I that I walked into the gym and to where I am today it’s like chalk and cheese! Two totally different scenarios!

My point is, I didn’t just get here, one small step and decision at a time led me here. That’s why I love the saying:

In 6 months from now, you’ll wish you started today!”

Don’t be overwhelmed and stunted by where you want to be. Give yourself grace to learn and grow.

I’ve written this post to encourage you! Start today! Start with something small, make one good decision at a time, all those decisions will accumulate and result in one massive change and when you look back you’ll be there on top of what initially looked like a mountain. And the view will be amazing!! Do it!

Hope my story encourages you. You didn’t have to be the sporty girl at school to be a strong fit woman today! x