Goal setting is important at any time of the year and luckily for me, I’m strong willed and determined and therefore don’t need the start of a new year to motivate me to make changes – it’s a never ending cycle of setting goals, hitting them, re-assessing and setting new ones.
However, sometimes it pays to look long term and think about what you want to achieve, especially with fitness goals.
So, I thought about what I’d like to achieve ideally in 2012 and this is what I came up with:
DIET:
To continue eating a primal (preferably paleo) diet
To continue intermittent fasting (this is with me for life!)
To include more variety in my diet, especially fruit and vegetables
Around this time last year, I wrote in one of my blog posts “I have a really good feeling about the year ahead” and I was so right. I never believed it would be such an important year in my life and that I would make the changes that I have but I’m so glad I had the courage to do so.
I started off the year knowing I had to make some important decisions and January saw me finally admitting that my marriage was over.
It had been on the rocks for a long time and despite efforts to change things, it was irreparable. Making that decision is possibly the biggest and scariest decision I have ever had to make but now, almost one year later, I can say with my hand on my heart it was the best decision of my life and haven’t once regretted it.
The months following my decision were tough and I wrote some cryptic and depressing posts at the time but I was met with so much kindness and support – you all have no idea how much you helped me back through those dark months. However, out of the darkness comes light and I was soon bouncing back, to the old Jo from such a long time ago, I’d pretty much forgotten she existed – the fun loving, outgoing, bubbly, happy person I am now once again.
March saw me completing a 4 week Paleo challenge. With all the stress and negativity of ending a long term marriage, my exercise and diet had gone to shit and I needed something to help me focus. Who’d have known back then that it was the best thing I’d ever do for my health? From the start I knew the challenge was going to be something I’d keep up in the long term – everything just felt so right, so many ailments cleared up (IBS, insomnia, aching joints, bleeding gums) and I was buzzing with energy.
To this day I still follow a primal style of eating with occasional white rice, unhomogenised milk and a little bit of cheese but I find it brings out unwanted side effects if I have too much – eczema, itching, increased mucus production and hay fever type sniffles – so it’s kept to a minimum.
April was a life changing month in more ways than one. Not only did I meet my amazing boyfriend, the true love of my life
I also transitioned into Intermittent Fastingwhichalong with the change in diet has been the best thing I have done for my health, both mental and physical. Whilst the paleo diet initially helped me to drop a bunch of weight, I really have IF to thank for helping me to lean out as much as I have. I can proudly say I’ve not binged since March – that’s 9 months and possibly the longest I have ever gone. I can say with my hand on my heart that I have IF to thank for that – I no longer obsess over food and though I’m not going to be arrogant enough to say I’ve beaten my ED and that I’ll never binge again, I think I’m the most recovered I’m ever likely to be.
Of course, I’m pretty sure being so happy in my personal life and no longer having the stresses of a failing marriage bogging me down has helped dramatically too :-)
Other awesome occurrences in April included an awesome progress shot of my back, which showed just how much mass I’ve gained in the previous 12 months…
and a deadlift PB of 100kg in my first ever deadlift session!
I really wish I hadn’t spent so much time arsing around trying to find a decent gym/training at home as I’d be so much further forward in my progress/strength goals by now.
May was an amazing month, mostly spent loved up with my man. It was the month we became official and declared undying love for each other – awwwwwwwwwwwwww!
In July, I proved that weight is only a number by fitting into a bikini that I’d had since the age of 16. Most people that saw it said they couldn’t tell there was a 2 and a half stone difference in weight and everyone agreed that I look better in the bikini now at the age of 33 than I did when I was 16…
September was a great month in the gym – not only did I master Glute Ham Raises…
I also hit another new deadlift PB of 107.5kg!
October was a life changing month for me – I moved from my home in Walsall to go and live in Swansea with my boyfriend. Massive decision and not one that I took lightly but things are going fantastically well. I’m settling into my new job and passed my phlebotomy training with ease. The shifts are tough and it’s a pain in the ass having to work weekends sometimes but the potential for job advancement is making it worthwhile right now.
So where am I right now? Well, training and diet are still going amazingly well. I pulled a 110kg deadlift in the gym a couple of weeks ago and also got a video of me pulling 95kg for reps…
I’m still trying to get leaner, though I’m still in good shape. I took a quick picture of my back/v-taper the other day and am pleased to see it’s still looking pretty good :-)
Here is a quick run down of my progress pictures from the year so far…
I’ll be making lots more progress in 2012 – it will be the year that I will get a smoking hot body so watch this space!
Due to personal circumstances, I have to re-home my beloved kitty, Bitsi. I’m extremely upset about this as she’s been part of my family for the last 7 years and I genuinely love and adore her.
I’ve contacted various animal rescue centres in the Wales locality and they are all full. I don’t know anybody locally that can adopt her for me and therefore, I am putting it out here in the hope that someone can help me.
She is a gorgeous black female cat and is around 8-9 years old (she was approximately 1-2 when I adopted her). She is VERY affectionate and loves nothing more than to curl up on your lap and snuggle. She is neutered and litter trained though she prefers to go outdoors when possible. She is very playful though as she is getting older she spends more time sleeping.
I pray that someone can help and take her in for me. If you can help, or know someone that can help, please email me at jagsfitnessblog@gmail.com
I started this blog in 2009 to document my weight loss journey. I was wanting to get in shape for my holiday and to finally overcome my food demons once and for all.
As of June 25th 2009, I reached my goal weight after losing 50lb and 25″. However, fitness and nutrition has become such a huge part of my life that I want to keep challenging myself….
The below pictures show me before I started my weight loss journey and as I am at present. I have made such fabulous progress in a short space of time but am always looking to improve my physique further.
Though I am happy with my weight on the scale, I am seeking to change my body composition by building some more muscle and losing a little more squish. These pictures serve as a reminder of just how far I have come.
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