Boot yourself right off the sofa, ladies
After getting Covid at Christmas, I completely lost my mojo. I got myself into a horrible cycle of eating badly, not moving enough and then feeling really depressed about piling on the pounds.
I realised I needed to take drastic action to get myself out of this deep, dark hole, and so I enrolled at bootcamp to “reset” myself.
And what a week I’ve had. I already feel totally transformed, thanks to the food, the exercise, the people I’ve met and the sensible advice I’ve gleaned from the amazing instructors.
It’s so easy to let yourself go – especially during the gloomy winter months when all you want to do is slouch on the couch with a burger and chips and a box of chocs.
Many women who get into this cycle of self-abuse share their despair with me on social media.
They say they are desperate to find a way out, but they’re just too embarrassed by their size to join an exercise class or a slimming club.
Not everyone can afford to go to bootcamp of course, but there are simple ways to make changes to your lifestyle which will set you on your way to a new you. It just needs a little courage and common sense to take that first step.
Come on, girls, the sun is out, so slip on some comfortable shoes and start by going for a walk. You don’t have to go far the first time, but I promise it gets easier. And when you get back for elevenses, reduce those two teaspoons of sugar to one, and leave the biscuits in the barrel – opt for a banana instead.
Drink more water, make sure you’re getting enough sleep. You will soon start feeling better about yourself and will want to do more.
Try hooking up with a mate – sharing your journey back to health can be a great inspiration when you don’t want to let the other person down. Talking of inspirational, I met a beautiful, fit, young woman at bootcamp this week.
Her name is Sophie Winter, and you would never believe that as a teenager she binged on junk food, and at age 18, she weighed 16 stone.
Sophie, now 26, told me how she would secretly order food behind her parents’ backs, and would then throw away the packaging at the back of the garden so they wouldn’t find out.
Her size led her to skipping school, and failing to get the grades for university.
She told how she became a depressed recluse, never leaving the house. Eventually she realised she couldn’t carry on like that, and signed up for bootcamp.
In that first week she lost 12 pounds. For the first time in her life she felt happy and energised, so she booked for another six weeks. In week four, she gained the confidence to apply to university, going on to gain a first-class honours degree.
After six weeks, she had lost 2.5 stone and started dating one of the instructors.
Now she has this message for all those who are struggling: “Please don’t be afraid of what other people think.
“Most of them will just be applauding you for trying to turn your health around.”
Hear , hear.
Don’t be afraid... you’ll soon start feeling better