I've spent decades looking after everyone but never prioritising my own health, as for exercise, it wasn't even in my vocabulary.  I promised myself I would get fit for my 40th birthday....well that clearly didn't happen!  In 2024, I will be turning 50, so ten months ago having been 'dabble-dieting' I made the decision to get proactive and made an inquiry that would ultimately kick-start my health and fitness journey.  

It's the age-old story, I'd spent years trying almost every diet around, with initial success followed by boredom and disappointment because they were too restrictive and ultimately not sustainable.  So I'd been making small changes, trying to make healthier food choices which had led to some weight loss, and then in May 2022 I inquired about a new fitness studio through a social media promotion, that led to what was to be one of the most important telephone conversations I've ever had, Andrew from my local HITZone fitness studio asked me lots of questions about my fitness journey, my goals, routines or lack thereof and invited me in for a trial session.  As hard as it was to walk through the door the first time it has since become my happy place with both physical and mental health benefits as well as providing support and a genuinely warm and friendly community.  

My coaches Andrew and Scott are fantastic, supporting me with nutritional advice as well as helping me track my progress in weight loss plus overall health and fitness.  They regularly set fitness challenges such as taking me from my first low plank lasting just 5 seconds (boy did I moan about that one), to my PB of 3 minutes or as many shoulder taps in a high plank as possible within 1 minute (so far I've managed 100 but it's ongoing)...lord only knows what they will be setting me next.  Since joining I've completed 145 fitness sessions, a mixture of HIIT, Core, or Weights and my aim is to finish 2023 with over 300 sessions completed.   In the last twelve months, I've lost over 3 stone in weight, dropped five BMI points, lost inches from my waist, hips, arms, and legs, I've increased muscle mass and I've gained a huge amount in terms of my fitness levels and reduction in stress (that's a win for everyone).  

I'm not going to share weight (I'm not that brave), but I will share updates on my journey including fitness challenges and achievements and weight/measurement losses all of which will be validated by my fitness coach Andrew so you don't have to take my word for it!

If I don't achieve my goals, obviously I will be the ultimate loser but given the path to a fitter 50th is unlikely to be linear I thought it would help keep me on track if I was answerable to somebody else and what better accountability than supporting our charitable partner; London Youth.

London Youth is an amazing charity that believes that where you start off in life should not dictate where you end up. They support young Londoners directly through a network of community youth organisations in every borough of the capital and give them the chance to thrive - not just survive - and become successful adults. From sports development, social action, employability and outdoor education, London Youth gives young people access to opportunities that they might not otherwise have.