Issues & How They Impacted My Life
I continued to slowly gain weight after having my son nearly 10 years ago. Obviously putting him first and everyone and everything else before myself. Once I hit 40 in lockdown I knew I had to change something. I was unhappy with my size and weight. Hated getting dressed in the mornings & going out anywhere got me anxious as I didn’t have anything to wear and didn’t want to buy anything coz I was too big. It was a vicious circle and it just got me down and left me with no confidence. I tried every diet going. Joined gyms and did the run on of the mill classes , legs bums and tums , went on the running machines, went on the bike. Wouldn’t dream of picking up a weight. I didn’t want to make myself bigger. Done that for a few weeks and just ended up paying the membership for a year as never stuck to it. I wanted to be ‘skinny’ and then I would be happy. But I always looked for a quick fix. I wanted to see results quick. I had a bad relationship with food. Diet was very poor. Wouldn’t eat in the mornings until lunch then it was a sandwich. Then a massive carb meal for dinner and then I would snack on crisps , chocolate, biscuits and wine! Then I promised myself I would start again tomorrow.
What I Tried Before Working With Vitality & Mind
I tried weight watchers so many times. Then I thought it would be a good idea to only eat 1200 calories a day . Of course that meant not eating and then using my calories eating crisps and chocolate & convenience foods. Slim fast was another one. Didn’t last long.
Why Did You Decide To Work With Ryan?
I knew Ryan from school but not seen him for 20 odd years. I moved away from the area but moved back a few years ago and started to follow him on Facebook when he got his gym in Horndon. I liked the idea of small groups of people. See a lot of his clients were like me, they were mums & they were getting results. And it wasn’t this massive gym where everyone would be looking at me. So I thought what have I got to lose if they can do it then so can I. I knew that if I didn’t take that step then I would never do it! Last chance! So I contacted Ryan and he invited me to have a chat and assessment. It went better than I thought it would. After the initial consultation I walked away knowing I had made the right choice with Ryan. He was open, honest and enthusiastic about the service and care he provided and I felt this was my chance to change.
What Impact Has Working With Vitality & Mind Had?
I’ve been working with Ryan for about 14 months now. My whole life has changed in that time. I’m the lightest I’ve been in over 20 years , I’ve lost 3 stone . I’m the fittest & strongest I have ever been. Ive learnt how to exercise properly. I’ve learnt how to use my body the right way to build muscle but not bulk up. Strengthen my weaker muscles & improve my fitness. I’ve really improved my eating habits & actually eat more than I have ever eaten. This part was probably the hardest part and I’m still not totally ???? great with it but am a lot better than at the start. I’m slowly changing my attitude towards food and Ryan’s weekly check ins and reassurance definitely helps me. I’m learning my body actually needs food to function and train. Where as before I would associate the food with gaining weight. I eat more food than I have ever eaten in my life and have not gained weight. That’s hard to get your head around. Exercising has given me great mental strength too. As with everyone, I’ve had a lot of stress and craziness going on in my life (marriage breakup) and by having my own time for training and focusing on myself daily it’s really helped me deal with a lot of emotions.
Ryan has supported, motivated and coached me from the start and has given me the tools to make it possible. This is a lifestyle change and not a quick fix. Everyone around me has seen a difference in me, I’m happier and more confident. This is just the start for me & there is no end point. This is how I live now. I owe it to myself and my son to be happy!
