Taking the Leap: A Busy Mum’s Path to Fitness

For years, I found myself giving every ounce of energy to my family and work, leaving no time for myself.  The result was a gradual increase in weight and a decrease in my overall well-being.  One day, as I struggled to keep up with my energetic kids, I realised that something had to change.  I need to be healthy, I want to set a good example for my boys and I need to take care of myself too.

The thought of joining a gym was daunting but I knew that the first step to change was stepping out of my comfort zone.  I decided to join a group of gym's and leisure facilities in my local are called Livewire.  Mark and Charlie were already members but didn't use it regular and my brother and his partner were also joining so I figured I'd be spoilt for choice for a gym buddy, i took advantage of an offer that they had to join with the first month being £10 and signed up.

Shortly after joining i decided that i would make an effort to squeeze in 2 gym sessions each week.  The best days for us were Tuesdays and Thursdays after the boys rugby training,  I also decided to take Louie swimming each Friday.

The first day that I decided to go to the gym I made sure I wasn't alone, I was feeling extremely anxious and worried that I would feel self-conscious and out of place.  I didn't know how to use the equipment or what I should be working on but decided to go late when it was quieter and once i was in there none of that mattered, of course nobody was watching me everyone was busy doing their own thing,  I focused on the machines that i knew how to use, the bike, cross trainer and rowing machine. and then tried out a couple of weight machines.   It wasn’t about lifting the heaviest weights or running the fastest; it was just about starting somewhere.