Starting a Fitness Journey

Fitness Maniacs is my passion. Weight loss, exercise and a lifestyle change has taken my life to a happier, healthier level! Everyone deserves it, but most people don’t believe that they will ever achieve it. I have seen first-hand that change is possible and that the rewards are great. It is now my ambition to motivate and assist others to achieve their own goals. 

Being healthy and in-shape opens up so many doors for those who are prepared to give it their all. From personal experience, I can say that my attitude changed, I began to think more positively, my confidence was boosted and my life in general improved. The best part was that it became a fun way of life for me. Of course there are still tough days, but they have become few-and-far between. Whilst some are happy to make excuses as to why they can’t exercise, I look for more reasons and opportunities to exercise!

Like I always say…..  It is not necessarily easy.  One thing I just could not do was run.  It infuriated me, I would see other participants start their journey as non-runners and by the end of 12 weeks they were running with ease.  When I say run I mean running 1km without stopping.  This frustrated me.  So in June 2014 I made up my mind to change this once and for all.  

My goal was to run 1km without stopping, without coughing up a lung, without passing out and most importantly not falling over.   Now, let me assure you my style of running is more of a shuffle – some would call it a very fast walk – whatever, I don’t care, for me it is running.

So, every day I arrived at the “track” which was the Westville Civic Centre.  The track was 333 metres long.  My first attempt I made 100 metres without stopping.  I realised then and there that this was not going to be easy.  After 100 metres I could not breathe. I was gasping, I was heaving and my entire body was in agony. So I walked for the remaining 900 metres and when no one was looking I crawled.

 I kept this up every day.  This was my goal, I owned the goal.  People stared at me – I did not care.  I am pretty sure that some people even laughed at me. I can’t blame them; I am not exactly Zola Budd. 

Then, one day, I set off on my run, before I knew it, I had run 1KM without stopping.  I was breathing normally, there were no spots or blinding lights in my vision. I had done it.  I had reached my goal. I did the most incredible victory dance; I mean award winning dance!!!!! Then I ran a little more and finished off walking.

Present day…. if you get to the Civic Centre early enough on a Saturday morning you will see me running “my track”.  5kms without stopping.  Let me assure you though, that 5kms feels like a marathon. Every time I round the last straight I can hear the song “Chariots of Fire” blasting.  I can hear crowds cheering, oh no wait, the cheering is my children.

My point?  The journey never ends…. we just set new goals. Start your journey today.  My next goal…… 10kms in 90 minutes. Oh my shit, did I just put that out there!!!!!!

Best of Luck to all of you that are starting a fitness journey.