I’m starting off this post by admitting something to you all – I’m not the biggest fan of exercise. Yeah, I’ll walk places if I have to, but if there’s a cheap option to get from one place to another and I’ve got a load of shopping in my hands, I’ll gladly take the taxi or the bus or whatever it may be.
However, I can’t just sit back and ignore the 13+ years that I undertook Irish dancing lessons and thoroughly enjoyed them. I was lean, I was fit and most of all, I was happy.
Now? Well, I’m not comfortable with the size I currently am. That is not to say that the size I am is in any way bad or gross or ‘ew, people who are my size need to lose weight’. No. I’m simply not happy with how my body has changed over the years – mainly while at University. I’ve gone from barely fitting into size 6 back in 2009 because I was so small to being slightly larger than I want to be right now.
I know every body is different, and I was still growing into myself through those 4 years at university, but I didn’t help myself. The freedom to eat out and grab takeaway whenever I wanted was glorious, and I really didn’t care when I ate… or what I ate.
So, what’s changed?
Commitments. I’ve been asked to be a bridesmaid for my best friend’s wedding, and while I’m nowhere near huge in size, I’m not comfortable with the shape I am.
One of the reasons that I have never wanted to get married myself was that I’d be in the limelight. I am actually quite a shy person, and I am extremely self-conscious about my weight in particular. After growing up through years of being called anorexic (which I wasn’t) because of my petite size, it’s given me a sense of, I don’t know, that I’m bigger than what I am.
Trying on bridesmaid dresses that look incredible on for the first few seconds is all well and good until I notice my little beer belly poking out or my chubby arms looking like little sausages hanging out of the dress.
My friends at work have much more willpower than I do, and they’re absolutely smashing it on Slimming World, which is what has made me realise that it’s not as hard to tone up and slim down as I think – it just requires a little more willpower on my end.
What Am I Doing?
Firstly, I’m cutting down on the crap. Bye bye takeaways and easy Maccies lunches. Instead, I’ve been trying to opt for healthier options – even bringing food in, sometimes!
Secondly, I’ve joined a class! I attend what is known as Bounce Fit every Monday, and while I feel like I’m actually dying during the class when I’m frantically trying to keep up with the insanely talented teacher, I am really noticing a difference in my stamina as well as my waistline shrinking ever so slowly.
I’m also making an effort to work out as often as I can while at home. 30 Day Shred is my new frenemy and although I feel like my arms are falling off, I’m loving that I am feeling stronger.
While I’m not wanting to be back at size 6, I do want to slim down, and with so much pressure on either side of the fence saying “you’re not fat” to “you’re a little pudgy”, it’s actually difficult to talk about this without feeling like I’m offending someone. I want people to know that as long as you are happy with your body, it shouldn’t matter what other people think – and that’s what motivated me to actually make an effort!
I’m happy with how I’m progressing, but I just wish I was more dedicated, like my girls at work – you’re seriously my inspirations right now and I’m thankful you’re egging me on in your own little ways without being forceful or mean – or overly nice when you don’t need to be! <3
Excuse This Honesty 