Decide, commit, succeed
Liv Fit gym, Ayr
The fact that I’m even writing a blog about health and fitness says it all!
Until March this year I hated exercise (even though I met my husband at a gym😁 )
Throughout my teens and twenties my weight wasn’t really an issue - I was probably at the higher end of the ‘healthy’ range but it wasn’t something that got me down. Late twenties/early thirties there would be times where I’d want to loose a bit of weight so would join weight watchers or slimming world and for 2/3 months I’d live a pretty boring existence, avoiding nights out so I didn’t fall off the wagon. Yes I would loose the weight but fast forward a few weeks/months and I’d be back to where I started.
Que thirties which has mainly consisted of having my beautiful 2 boys Olly and Arlo. I loved being pregnant and getting bigger never bothered me, in fact I embraced it and loved not having to hold my tummy in!
The boys are now nearly 4 and 7 and towards the end of last year I was feeling pretty crap about myself. The boys had been my main focus for the past 7 years and I had lost part of me. I’ve always been quite an anxious and stressed person and this had got worse.
A friend had told me about her coach Hollie who she’d had been going to for a few months. Hollie sounded like just what I needed and after meeting her I decided it was now or never.
Me, Rachel and coach Hollie
The gym in question isn’t your typical leisure gym – it’s mainly weights and has lots of scary looking equipment that you can hang from 😱
It was a real achievement to walk into the gym that first time early March. I felt like I had no physical strength and was sure I wouldn’t be able to manage much at all. Of course, I did manage and since that day I have never looked back. I now go to the gym twice a week and run as well.
I’ve realised that the issue in the past was that I wasn’t willing to wait for results – I wanted them instantly. I am now 3 months into my training and just wanted to share the changes I’ve seen:-
1. I am physically and mentally stronger – this helps massively with 2 very active boys
2. I have more stamina and move better – things like tidying up after the boys and cleaning are much easier
3. I feel part of a community with like-minded people
4. I’ve started to see muscle definition for the first time in 38 years
And number 5 which is the best one yet – I am less stressed.
How do I know this? I had a massage this morning and I’ve been going to the therapist Laura for the past 4 years. She usually tells me that I have a lot of tension in my back and shoulders and would feel lots of knots.
Today she told me it was like a different body! Hardly any tension and she could feel my muscles. Yes I’ve been feeling less stressed but to have this confirmed by someone who can physically feel it was amazing.
I’m not going to lie, there are days when going to the gym feels like the last thing I want to do but I know now that if I am consistent and keep showing up then I will continue to become happier, healthier and stronger.
For anyone local who is thinking about joining a gym, hiring a coach or getting a massage (I can’t recommend Laura enough!) here are the links below.