How I’m Going to Get into Shape

As mentioned in my previous post, I’m determined to get into shape this year. I am by no means overweight, but haven’t felt comfortable with how I've generally been feeling as well as my figure. I am almost 5’9” and 10st 9lb (dress size 10 – 12), giving me a BMI of 22. Although 22 is comfortably in the ‘normal’ section of the index, I know that I could have that same BMI number and have a lot less body fat and a lot more muscle. So I finally want to really make a change.

One of my main problems is that I have an incredibly sweet tooth and have little to no willpower when it comes to cake/sweets/chocolate/pastry/ice cream… My insides must resemble the witch’s house in Hansel and Gretel.

As well as this, I am not very fit, have no muscle definition anywhere and although I used to be confident with my figure, the comfort-eating and Christmas indulgence of the past few months have led to my clothes feeling tighter than they ever have done before! And I definitely can’t afford a new wardrobe...

I need to change. And this is how I plan on doing it.

Be inspired

This sounds simple, but I find doing something without something to keep me motivated much harder than with. There are countless inspirational fit/healthy accounts on Twitter and I’ve followed a whole tonne of them. By constantly reading health and nutritional tips as well as seeing photos of goal figures and seeing the results of consistent hard work, I already want to get to work!

As well as this, my flatmates are all good runners: one in particular, Laura, is working towards a half-marathon. She is incredibly fit. And I look at photos of when I first met her in August 2013 and the difference in her figure is amazing. Such an inspiration.

Not trying to achieve too much, too quickly

I know from past experience that if I try to cut out all junk food and go ‘cold turkey’, I fail within a few days. I have come up with my own diet-plan (allowing myself whatever I want at the weekends) which works and I know I can keep up. The longer I can do it, the easier it will be for me to be stricter with myself. Everything in moderation.

As well as this, I am starting by walking a lot or running a little every day, as well as trying to keep up my stretches as often as I can. Little by little I want to include more and more cardio and strength-training, then maybe by summer I might even feel confident enough to wear a bikini without trying to cover myself up!

Help from friends to NOT QUIT

My flatmates and I like to keep each other motivated (which is really useful when we’ve all chosen such an unstable career as acting!) so I’ve made it clear that they’re not allowed to let me give up. I know they won’t let me down.

Both images taken from Google Images.

And it's as simple as that! Obviously I am no fitness trainer or health expert, but you’re welcome to use these steps if you also want to become fitter and healthier this year. I reckon keeping it simple is the main thing: walk before you can run (quite literally!).

Wendy x