Following on from my last post, I Joined A Gym I have received several messages asking questions about what I am doing, what I am eating and how I’m feeling and whether or not I have seen any changes so I thought I would post a little update.

In case you haven’t read my last post, I’ll catch you up. Basically, I woke one day and decided I needed to do something regarding my lifestyle and exercising. I joined a gym and started with a fabulous Personal Trainer, Ryan Spence and have been going there for a month exactly now.

While I am wholly aware that a month is not a very long time at all, I have learned a lot about myself and my body in that short space of time. I learned that exercising is difficult but also extremely rewarding. I have never felt as good in my life and while some days it can be hard to fight a chips craving, that good feeling that I get makes it all so worthwhile.

So, what have I been doing? I have been doing 2 PT sessions each week and attending the gym as often as I can outside of that. In my PT sessions, Ryan has mapped out exactly what I should be doing and he takes notes on weights each week on what I have been lifting, etc. I love having someone there that knows exactly what they are talking about and I am so thankful for him as he puts so much energy and time into creating this workout plan for me as well as taking a great interest in my diet and giving me lots of helpful hints and tips along the way. I have found a love for certain machines that I find fundamentally bizarre. When I think back to a few weeks ago, the very thought of a rowing machine would actually make me GAG. Now, I can’t wait to get there and have a little cardio workout on it. There are a few things that I outright just don’t enjoy doing, stair master for example. Ryan had me on it and I really, really, really struggled on it and told him – without being too much a whine, that I didn’t like it. I was scared of his response at the time, like it was really bad of me that I didn’t want to do it, but he was like ‘okay, no sweat.’ There is not point in doing something if I am not enjoying it because I’ll not get that good feeling at the end of my session. I am still learning and have no idea what half the machines are called, so when anyone asks me what I’m doing I am like ‘the thing you climb up onto and kneel on and pull up with…’

What have I been eating?
The biggest and best change that I have made to my diet is actually eating breakfast. Like, what the hell why have I never done that before? Being someone that loves food so much – why on earth would I skip that meal? Working somewhere where my shift pattern changes every day it can be hard to eat at the right times of the day. For example, when I used to work 10.30-7 I wouldn’t eat before work and the first time I would eat that day would be about 12 or 12.30. Even then, it would be something straight from the vending machine and something quick like a sandwich or something from Cafe Nero, because I was lazy and it was close. Now before I start I have had breakfast, something relatively healthy and filling and my lunches are healthier choices too. Anything is better than a chocolate bar and a packet of crisps.
I am still struggling to hit my calories each day and eat as much as I should be but at the same time, the things that I am eating aren’t leaving me hungry. For breakfast, I have become obsessed with oats. Like, I must have had them every day now for the last few weeks! I love chopping a banana into it and a wee teaspoon of Nutella or peanut butter in there too to bulk up a little. Even a drop of honey, just to sweeten it up! For something bigger or more filling I will have some avocado on toast with some bacon medallions and a poached egg. My lunches are more about chicken with veg and brown rice and don’t vary too much. Or I have the rest of last night’s dinner. Dinner’s haven’t seen much change as Joel and I tend. to eat relatively healthy dinners anyway. It’s more my habits for my daytime eating and be prepared to bring things to work, having it ready to go the night before that has helped me the most.

Results
I had my measurements taken at the start, before I started any exercising and had my second measurements taken again last week. I can’t see any difference in myself, but looking at yourself every day, it can be hard to see the small changes. I have been taking photos of myself – before and after styles but they are not ready to be shown to the world just quite yet! In the meantime, I am happy to report that I have lost weight and my measurements are going down!

Weight
Starting weight 89kg – 14 stone
Updated weight 82.6kg – 13 stone

Measurements
Neck – 37cm – Now 36cm
Chest – 113cm – Now 104 *I did have an extra sports bra on so I think I was just squished!
Waist – 97cm – Now 94cm
Hips 116cm – Now 114.5cm
Thighs – 70cm – Now 67cm

Isn’t it amazing what not eating shite and exercising does for you, isn’t it?
I am still learning, there are probably things that I am still not doing right but the main thing is that I am progressing.

As always, I would love to hear from you – you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube