Ok. This blog has been on my mind for a while. So much so that it's been sat in 'draft' format for a number of weeks... Some of the images here, posted along with my ramblings, I have held onto. I don't know why really. I like them. But I have been nervous to share.
I enjoy a good ol' selfie, but these somehow feel different. I felt more exposed and vulnerable. That's crazy really because they portray a part of me that has become a norm in my life. A part that I'm actually very proud of. That's my personal health and fitness journey.
I go the gym fairly often now. I'm there at least 3 or 4 times a week - I'm a class bunny. I hop around various classes - and like many aspects of my life and me, I don't fit into one exercise box. I love Zumba and Clubbercise, really enjoy Yoga, I have recently discovered that I quite like a Spin class, Free Weights and Kettlebells are fun and (as you can see from the pics) I throw myself into a bit of Boxercise too.
This journey began almost 5 years ago. My youngest was coming up to his first birthday and I wasn't quite the heaviest I'd ever been, but I wasn't too far off. I'm not going to include 'the number', that's irrelevant, all that matters is that I wasn't happy with how I felt. My family matter and I wanted to be the best version of me that I could be for them. I wanted to be a healthy parent. In body and mind.
I'd suffered earlier in my life with a lot of anxiety and depression. I continued to suffer after the birth of my eldest and medicated my way through my second pregnancy too. By the time I had my youngest I was pill free, but finding it difficult to maintain a good hormone balance to keep me on the straight and narrow. I had, between baby 2 and baby 3 focussed a huge amount on eating healthily and making time for me - that had been working, slowly, but was working.
So in spring 2012 I signed my brood up for a family membership at the gym, got the MyFitnessPal app on my phone and basically haven't looked back! As time went by I found myself again. The gym was (and still very much is) my 'me' time. I love it. It's funny because my younger self would NEVER have imagined that I would fall for the gym as much as I have. It's now my lifesaver. My husband and I were even having a conversation last night about how I can tell when my mood is dropping or I'm going through an anxious 'moment' - it usually coincides with a drop in my exercise, for whatever reason. I do still get anxious over stuff - I feel that's normal, just a part of me and I cope now. But when I first signed on the gym dotted line, little did I know just how much this would mean for me mentally.
The images that follow mean a lot to me I guess - they're now just 'a woman in gym gear'. They're a representation of my growth. My journey to health and the continual path I try to follow to keep myself the best version of myself I can be - for myself and everyone who means anything to me.
EDIT: I really should say a huge thank you to the instructors and friends from both the gyms I have been a member of and my running pals too. So (and I hope I don't miss anyone out!) Village leisure and running: June, Sarah, Mark, Antny, Steph, Kirsty, Helen and Faith. Invigor8 gyms: Kirsty, Andi, Helen, Barb, Dave, Kirsten, Sophie, Su, Jules, Lisa, Toni... I think that's everyone! You guys push me when I don't want to be pushed and have grown to become friends of mine. I couldn't thank you enough. And also my husband - your support is the most incredible gift I could wish for. I love you!
I'll stop babbling now though and post the pics. Thanks for reading this far peeps.
Best wishes,
x Fleur x
So in spring 2012 I signed my brood up for a family membership at the gym, got the MyFitnessPal app on my phone and basically haven't looked back! As time went by I found myself again. The gym was (and still very much is) my 'me' time. I love it. It's funny because my younger self would NEVER have imagined that I would fall for the gym as much as I have. It's now my lifesaver. My husband and I were even having a conversation last night about how I can tell when my mood is dropping or I'm going through an anxious 'moment' - it usually coincides with a drop in my exercise, for whatever reason. I do still get anxious over stuff - I feel that's normal, just a part of me and I cope now. But when I first signed on the gym dotted line, little did I know just how much this would mean for me mentally.
The images that follow mean a lot to me I guess - they're now just 'a woman in gym gear'. They're a representation of my growth. My journey to health and the continual path I try to follow to keep myself the best version of myself I can be - for myself and everyone who means anything to me.
EDIT: I really should say a huge thank you to the instructors and friends from both the gyms I have been a member of and my running pals too. So (and I hope I don't miss anyone out!) Village leisure and running: June, Sarah, Mark, Antny, Steph, Kirsty, Helen and Faith. Invigor8 gyms: Kirsty, Andi, Helen, Barb, Dave, Kirsten, Sophie, Su, Jules, Lisa, Toni... I think that's everyone! You guys push me when I don't want to be pushed and have grown to become friends of mine. I couldn't thank you enough. And also my husband - your support is the most incredible gift I could wish for. I love you!
I'll stop babbling now though and post the pics. Thanks for reading this far peeps.
Best wishes,
x Fleur x
(PS - the trick to seeing better quality versions of the images is to click on them... Cheers loves!)
