Me, myself and 15 stones

For the best part of 10 years I have struggled with my weight. I have fluctuated between the 13st mark to my heaviest: 14st 12lb.  An unhealthy emotional connection to food, a lack of slef-restraint, a particular fondness for Chinese takeaway/pizza and most importantly my hatred for anything to do with exercise is what I blame. As a result of my weight I have had low self-esteem and even lower self-confidence.  I definitely feel that this had an impact on my life through school and university because I just felt like I didn't really fit in.

I can't remember when the first fad diet started but I do know a few things for sure:
1. I was under the impression that going to one Slimming World class and the weight would just come off a week later.
2. There was no way I knew what I was getting myself into - or the dedication that it would take for the diet to succeed.
3. No matter how I tried to twist it there was no way I was getting away with the sneaky takeout I was ordering each week.

The hardest part was certain acquaintences and family members who would constantly make comments about my weight. I kept resolving to start a new diet but it would never last long.  My inspiration to really take this seriously came from a few moments (good and bad) in 2016.  The first was getting engaged and setting my wedding date for July 2017.  The second was my dad taking seriously ill at Easter - it gave us all a boost to get healthier, stop smoking and get fit. Finally my little brother. A fitness fanatic who has worked every day for the past 5-6 years to gain muscle and get super fit.  We sat down one day and I (smoking a cigarette and eating leftover Chinese) was telling him all of the reasons why I couldn't or didn't want to exercise, go near a gym or get fit.  It wasn't until a few days later when I re-hashed the conversation in my head that I realised how ridiculous this must sound. It was all bull**** excuses.

In November 2016 I joined my local branch of PureGym with one of my bridesmaids.  We hired ourselves a personal trainer who works with us together each week, put together a diet plan for us and is there for constant support and guidance. It was the best thing I could ever have done.

In 8 weeks I have lost over a stone in weight and converted a lot more fat to muscle tissue.  I won't say it is easy but it definitely is making a huge difference to my relationship with food.

This is just a background to my journey. It's taken me this long to prove to myself that I will keep this diet and fitness routine up long enough to blog it!

Next blog: a rundown of my PT session, what I ate Friday and a progress picture comparison.