I always write from the heart and am possibly a little too honest.
But, although people tell me this, I have no plans to change!!
So, as I am approaching another birthday it gives me time to reflect a little.
As most of you know, I have worked in the fitness industry for a long time and I am probably happier in it today than I have ever been.
It has hugely changed and most of the time I like these changes and embrace them with a positive attitude. I am aware I have changed too and I think for the better!!
So, here is my take on how this happened.
20 years ago I focused massively on how I looked.
I relied on people telling me how slim or even using the word ” skinny” and took it as a compliment. I restricted things I was eating and never felt confident in my own body.
I see people in gyms nowadays who are so skinny and actually look very unwell. And I hear people congratulating them on their figures even though its quite obvious some of them arent healthy or possibly even well. But I am conscious not to judge as I dont know what is going on in their life as much as they dont know about mine.
8 years ago, I was seriously ill and things changed for me quite dramatically.
Initially I was really ill, then I was unable to speak, followed by sudden weight loss to sudden weight gain due to the medication I was .. TO KEEP ME ALIVE!
On one of those days, I was in a gym and 3 people told me I had put weight on!
I had its true. I had put on 4 lbs and was still a size 6. So, lets be honest, I wasnt fat. I was trying to get well and these people didnt know what was going on in my life but still felt the need to TELL me something about my size.
Moving on to today. How have I changed?
So here are my top 8 things that have changed for me.
- I accept I cant control what others say or think about me.
- I am comfortable in my own skin.
- I like my shape and my figure. I accept I am not perfect, but perfect in whose eyes anyway?
- I have a fit and healthy body of which I am grateful for.
- My body allows me to lift weights, to run, cycle, to swim, to work and to live.
- I threw the scales away a few years ago. My clothes tell me if I am putting weight on or not. And my own eyes!!
- I am still alive. It wasn’t always on the cards I would be here to see another birthday let alone another 8!
- I am fit. I am good at what I do and I enjoy my life.
Not that its important, but just in case any one is reading this that thinks this is now coming from someone who is trying to justify “getting fat”. No, I am not. I am still only a size 8-10 so that hasnt changed much, BUT my mindset and attitude has. I train for a goal now, and have a far happier, healthier balanced attitude to work, life, family, friends and knowing I can only control what I can control.
Janette x
