I've always struggled with my weight. At school I was bigger than my friends, so I took a back seat to avoid being the centre of attention. Aged 18, I spent six months travelling around Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. I wasn't dieting but I lost a lot of weight while I was there – at the time, I thought I was happier being a size eight but, looking back, I wasn't healthy at all.
Then, a few years ago, I started gaining weight again. My job made me miserable and I ate a McFlurry ice cream nearly every afternoon because it was something to look forward to. But I was uncomfortable in my own skin. I stopped wearing jeans, choosing leggings instead.
One day my fiancé said to me, "I don't think you're happy with yourself." He was right – but I needed to hear it. I joined a small gym near my house and went to exercise classes such as boot camp, boxing and circuit training – one day a week at first, then two and then three. A year later, I was working out with a personal trainer.
Gradually, I noticed positive changes – 50% physical and 50% mental. My fitness levels were up, I could do a boot-camp class without wanting to vomit halfway through and I felt more confident.
After a year, my mindset changed entirely. I didn't aspire to be skinny anymore; I wanted
to be lean and strong – the body I was creating.
Now I live in jeans (or Lycra) and do a lot of running, swimming, cycling, yoga and Pilates. In January I qualified as a personal trainer, which I do part-time.
Last year, I ran a 10k and I'll do a triathlon in August, which involves a 1.5k swim, a 40k cycle and a 10k run. It's not that I couldn't do activities like this before – I just wasn't enabling my body to.
I've realised – and accepted – that you can only ever make your body the best it can be. I'm proud of mine – my strong legs, my curves and my tiny six-pack that's starting to show above my abs – but best of all, I finally feel happy.
Sophie is a personal trainer. For more information visit, http://www.thefitologyway.com
