It’s now April and I’m over 2 stone lighter in the 2019 journey.
I’m pleased to report that I have bought a pair of jeans two sizes smaller than those I bought towards the end of 2018.
So – what’s been working for me so far.
Me
The decision that this was now NON-NEGOTIABLE has been the biggest game changer. Being completely blinkered and committed and not having any excuses has seen me complete stacks of sessions this year but also increase my day to day movement, getting my steps in and moving more.
Gym & Personal Training
I am a member of Bannatynes gym in Darlington and work out regularly with my personal trainer, Fi Davidson. I was shit scared of the gym floor. I felt totally outside of my comfort zone and little bit like a fish flapping away outside of her tank.
People grunt in the gym you know.
Shit, I now sometimes accidentally make noises in the gym too 😱
I love PT sessions, occasional group sessions/sweating in company and the kids and I swim regularly. I’m hoping that the swimming will ultimately stand me in some sort of stead (was going to say “good stead” but reckon that’s BS) for a triathlon further down the line.
Fi is incredible. She is really tuned into my boredom threshold, my training needs and pushing me more and more all the time.
The first session I had with her I actually thought I was going to die. Lying down on my front on the floor and getting back up to standing was EXHAUSTING.
The gym isn’t really a scary place, you’ve just got get comfortable in there.
Running & The parkrun
Running is incredibly effective cardio. It’s a great calorie burner. When I started running again it felt sooo hard. I felt so heavy but every time gets a little bit easier.
The parkrun is a FREE to enter 5k run which takes place on a Saturday morning at 9am. There’s a huge sense of satisfaction and smugness attached to getting your exercise ticked off before 10am on a Saturday morning.
When I started it was taking me over 40 minutes to complete the distance.
Over the last 3 months I’ve taken 7 minutes off that.
Apps – Strava & MyFitnessPal
These 2 apps are on my phone and have kept me on track. Strava recording my miles run, my swimming and bike rides, MyFitnessPal tracking my calories and helping me to learn so much more about nutrition. Nothing is off limits insofar as nutrition is concerned. My main goal is #caloriedeficit
Virtual Racing
Virtual Racing have also assisted along the way on this one. Active challenges in exchange for medals – what is not to love about that. Their bling has been super motivating.
I started the year with their “Streaky Blinders” challenge – to spend January doing some sort of activity EVERY DAY. Whilst at times that was a a little difficult it is one I got into the swing of and REALLY enjoyed.
Back To Netball
I also joined a “back to netball” group. It’s important to me that my workouts are varied and that boredom doesn’t set in.
Every week I now go to netball training too.
So, there’s some of the things that have worked so far for me.
Big Love, Emma xx
