You’ve come a long way baby
Posted at 22:56 in Personal, Progress
Rewind three years ago, to the start of 2010.
I had, through the course of 2009, dropped 50lbs and for the first time in many years, was slim. I felt like a million dollars. I was loving my exercise, particularly running and body attack and I trained with weights in the gym, though as it was a leisure club, my workout consisted of mostly machines.
Excitedly (and stupidly) I entered into my first ever physique competition which would have taken place in May 2010. However, just a couple of weeks into my preparation, my binge eating reared its ugly head and I was forced to pull out. It’s only now I look back over the photos and I am so glad I did.
Here is a picture of me in 2010, at the start of my competition preparation, alongside a picture of me now, in 2013…
I had worked my butt off to get back down to 10 stone/140lbs. Why that magic number? I have no idea. I’m pretty sure the last time I weighed so little was when I was about 16 years old, doing 3 hours of cardio a night and eating like a rabbit.
And it leads me onto thinking why lots of us, men and women, get so hung up on the number on the scale. It really is only a number and the pictures above prove that just because I might weigh less, doesn’t necessarily mean I will *look better*.
I used to be embarrassed about my weight, forever comparing myself to other women. But now I really couldn’t care less. I’m 5ft 8″ and have a naturally curvy, hourglass shape. I’m never going to be a petite, dainty size 8. Only now I can accept that and actually not give a shit.
I’m tall, I’m strong, I’m curvy, I’m Amazonian. I have muscle mass, I have curves. I can pull 130kg deadlifts. I lift heavy shit for fun. What’s not to love about that?
You look great. More importantly you’re happy. I’ve never understood the obsession with numbers. What is interesting, ladies obsession with weight made guys being too embarrassed to admit they prefer curvy ladies. Staying healthy not slim should be priority.
Totally agree- surely having a body that functions properly is better than having a skinny body that might look better in clothes.
You know, I have a post scheduled about body/self-image this month and when I publish it I will put a link in to your post as it’s EXACTLY what I’m talking about.
When I was at my lowest weight I loved being skinny, but I was nowhere near as strong and fit as I am now. As much as I’m trying to get a little extra poundage off right now, I know I’m never going to be Skinny Me again, and frankly, I’m not sure I’d want to – I look so much better now!
You, missy, look bloody incredible. I can never compliment your legs enough – they’re what mine aspire to be like!
I can’t believe I’ve been reading your blog since 2009! It’s so good to read this and just see your happiness shining through the words. It’s much better to be fit than skinny, and as your pictures show, it often looks tonnes better too!
I used to be embarrassed about what I weigh as it always seems a lot more than other women; however like you I’ve come to terms with my frame and build and once I have the baby, I’m going to be looking to you for inspiration on how to get fit once more! Great read and thanks for sharing!
Agree about numbers on the scales. I’m 19 weeks pregnant and still running and squatting and lifting weights and swimming and feel very happy with my strong fit body and cute little bump…. and yet I still hate knowing how much I weigh (about a stone more than before, I think) even though I know it’s a) temporary and b) irrelevant!
JAG – I’ve followed your blog for years now, and you’ve always inspired me but I never made the change before. Recently my thinking has changed because I don’t like my figure, I don’t like feeling self-conscious and I really want to enjoy my life while I’m young and able! As I’m sure may have before, I’ll be using your story as my motivation, I’m 5′8, 140 was always my “dream” weight despite not having weighed that even when I was 16. I guess this is the start of a journey, I know I need to learn that I can control my binges, that weight training in a gym is not scary, and most importantly I understand I need to learn about nutrition. I started by tryinng to eat 1200 calories a day, then 3 weeks later realised that was ridiculous. I’m finding it hard to work out what I can eat to reach my calorie needs without turning to the lure of sugar.
Anywhooo – this is my journey and not yours so I’ll keep the rest of my story to my diary. But I would appreciate any advice you can offer.
You are an amazingly strong, inspirational woman. Congratulations on all you have achieved.
Hi Rach, many thanks for following along with my blog all those years, I really appreciate your support. It’s so nice to read I’ve inspired people, it makes my day :)
Weight training really isn’t scary and if you do a search on my blog (though you’ve probably read it before) you’ll find my “beginners guide to weight training” which should help.
Nutrition is a real minefield as there is so much contradictory information out there, mostly from what the government is telling us. Avoid saturated fats, eat 7-9 portions of starch per day. This same government gives a RDA of sugar as 90g daily for a woman. 90g of sugar!! And they wonder why we have a diabetes epidemic on our hands?
The best advice I can give you is to read, read and read more. And ask questions. And don’t look to what the government recommends as “healthy” as more often than not, it’s wrong.
Thank you for all the kind words, I really appreciate it. If you have any questions, feel free to drop me an email: jagsfitnessblog at gmail.com