I remember sitting in front of my computer less than six months ago and staring at an empty page, thinking about the blog post that I wanted to write. Sharing my biggest insecurities and fears with the world, laying myself bare to criticism and the chance of public failure. Telling everyone how unhappy I was with my weight and health, and that I was going to take steps to change that... Or at least, that I was going to give it a try.
Was I going to succeed? Or was I going to look like a fool when a few weeks down the line I had given up and the improvements I had planned to make had come to nothing?
It has been 24 weeks since that day. In that time there have been 4 rounds of Project 6 Pack, a Race for Life 5k, and a trip of a lifetime to Australia celebrating a friend's wedding. It has been a whirlwind. I don't really know where the time has gone. But 24 weeks on, I could be sitting here thinking "I wish..." having given up, or I could be sat here looking at progress pics of 24 weeks worth of hard work & thinking "I've done".
Since January, I have now lost 23.9kg (52.6lb) and 35 inches all over.
That's another 6kg and 10" (27cm) in just the last six weeks. I look at these photos and can't really believe that it is me. Amirah & Hayley handed me 23kg worth of dumbbells at the studio on weigh in day & I struggled to hold them - I can't believe that I used to carry that extra weight around daily. I've gone from a UK size 16/18 down to an 8/10.
I am so grateful for the amazing support I have had throughout. Changing your lifestyle isn't easy, sticking to it isn't easy, but it is worth it. I feel amazing & am in the best shape of my life at 32 years old, after 5 babies. I am walking, talking proof that it is possible.
There are a lot of contributing factors to the success that I am enjoying. Sensible meal planning and preparation, a whole list of ways to improve your chances of sticking to your goals, the health and fitness apps & devices that I use to optimise my weight loss, building up a bank of meal & snack inspiration to refer back to when I need it as well as attending classes at Project 6 Pack. But mostly - it's taking some responsibility for what I put in my body, and getting off my ass and exercising even when I really don't want to. I have never gone to a class or gone for a run and thought "I wish I hadn't bothered" afterwards. I always, without fail, feel good after a workout.
I had a huge sort out of my wardrobe the other day and have treated myself to some pretty new undies that actually fit me (it comes to something when you 'treat' yourself to underwear...). I'm looking forward to replacing it all with some lovely new bits and pieces for the Summer, and for our Mark Warner holiday in October when I can play on the beach and swim with my children and feel confident doing so without wanting to cover up - and every bead of sweat and aching muscle will be worth it just for that.
Wow you really are looking amazing! I'm on a similar journey albeit a slower one. I fear my bone structure across my hips may never allow me to be in jeans smaller than a size 12 but I just want to be stronger, fitter and less wobbly...and to run further! This is perfect. ... "I have never gone to a class or gone for a run and thought "I wish I hadn't bothered" afterwards." :)
ReplyDeleteThats awesome you've donr amazing. And absolutely on the exercise, even if I cant be arsed I never think at the end of it "well that was pointless" lol
ReplyDeleteWow! What an amazing achievement!! You look amazing but probably more importantly you've obviously achieved loads of health benefits too. Fabulous inspiration for lots of mummies out there. #fitnesstuesday
ReplyDeleteWow! I've just stumbled across your blog & what an incredible journey you've been on. You look bloody incredible!!! Totally inspiring!! :-)
ReplyDeleteMy journey is slightly different in that it's been a much longer process: I changed my life 22 months ago shortly after the birth of my son, I was a size 20 & miserable! Since then I've lost 93lbs (6 St 9 lbs) and gone from a size 20 to a 12. I feel so much better!! The last 6 months I've pretty much plateaued and been at 10st 7lb or thereabouts. I've decided that in order to get to my final target of 10st I need to up my game on the exercise front! I currently do loads of power walking but I'm going to add some strength workouts with weights & do the 100 squat challenge really regularly to help tone & hopefully lose these last 7 lbs or so. I'd be really interested in what sort of exercise you're doing, and if you have any good tips!! Do go check out my blog if you get a chance http://www.mrsbishopsbakesandbanter.co.uk
You are amazing and you looks AMAZING! You are so, so inspiring and I am so proud of you Julie. Well done!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Plenty of people blog about their fitness and healthy eating journeys, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone transform as dramatically as you. You look amazing and I can imagine you must feel amazing too.
ReplyDeleteThis post gave me goosebumps, your transformation is incredible...so inspiring! I need take time to read back through your posts, you look like you could be a really great blogger to follow. CongrTulations!
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Wow! Amazing! Well done on sticking with your plans and focusing on the fitness! I love the comment about "treating" yourself to new underwear - LOL! You know you're a mum when ... right?
ReplyDeleteWell done! All I can say is WHAT A BABE! hahaha you look fab - really well done! Im still sat here thinking what if haha - I have lost like a stone but still have another half to shift, problem is I cant give up sugar when I need to haha but im not here to whine about my woes - way to go!
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Absolutely amazing achievement lovely, so well done to you. You have managed so much in 24 weeks and are a great example to show people it can be done. I bet you cannot wait to put your bikini on on your holiday! Well done! #FitnessTuesday
ReplyDeleteWowie! You look absolutely incredible and have done amazing. You are the pin up girl for what hard work and determination can achieve. Have an awesome holiday and you can walk around in that bikini feeling so proud! Thanks so much for linking up to #bestandworst and we hope to see you again xx
ReplyDeleteYou look incredible, well done it is so good when you can see the hard work has paid off. It isn't easy but really looking at these pictures you must feel amaxing! I lost three stone over the last year and I'm just now starting to get into fitness and exercise properly, like you said it is about taking responsibility for you own weight and health and I'm so glad I didn't give up! xx #wellbeingwednesday
ReplyDeleteWow wow wow!! You have done so amazingly well! I bet you are so so proud of yourself! It just shows you that, yes, it may be hard work, but it's totally worth it. You look so good, and 5 children!! :) xx
ReplyDeleteYou have done amazingly well, seriously you look fantastic and I hope you feel fantastic too with what you have achieved! Good for you hon good for you! Xx #bestandworst
ReplyDeleteWow,wow, wow you look fabulous! Well worth the effort clearly, I should probably take a leaf out of your book.....thanks for linking up to the #bestandworst and hope to see you again next week! :-) x
ReplyDeleteyou look absolutely stunning and should be super proud of what you've achieved, I'd love to have your body!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, you look stunning! After having a child 5 months ago, I am now starting on my fitness journey and this is great motivation to see the difference it makes
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You have, and continue to do, amazingly well. I've followed your progress from what you tweet and honestly, it's so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteIncredible Julie, you look amazing! I love the way you've gone about this journey - real honesty and consistent blogging but in stages so it's not too much all at once. I do think that there's something about making an announcement to the world on your blog, it makes you stick to it. You go looking gorgeous in that bikini! Thanks for linking up to Loud 'n' Proud :)
ReplyDeleteYou look absolutely incredible. WOW!!! You are amazing. I need some of your motivation. I seem to have lost mine. Thank you so much for linking up to WellbeingWednesday xxx
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely incredible honey, such an inspiring achievement to do what you needed to be happy in your own skin, brilliant! Thanks for linking with #BloggingToJogging xx
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ReplyDeleteWOW! You look absolutely amazing! I have lost half that much since Xmas and thought I was doing well but you have put me to shame! Well done. You've given me a nudge now to get my act togtether again. #MMWBH
That's fantastic!! I've just had baby number 3 and am an uncomfortable size 16 weighing in at 13.5 stone. I tell myself this is ok because I've got 3 kids and should just try and be happy as I am. But reading your blog post maybe not all is lost and I can at least drop a dress size and feel happier. Thanks for the inspiration #MMWBH
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