Cheryl’s Healthy Lifestyle Challenge – 2017 Wrap Up!

2017 may be wrapping up, but Cheryl is definitely not wrapping up her healthy lifestyle challenge! Cheryl has been reflecting on her last 12 months of the challenge.

Late last year before Christmas I decided I was going to do something about my weight. It had crept on over a number of years and I had got to a point where I couldn’t stand the way I felt about myself any longer. I had never said that I was going to accept how I was, and always knew that I wanted to do something about it. I just had to make the decision to do it and find the strength to believe in myself and see it through. I knew it was going to be tough, hence the decision to do this publicly to ensure my success.

I had heard the words, “it needs to be a lifestyle thing”, so many times! Funny, but I realise now that this is so true. I must be one of so many people out there that have gone on a ‘diet’ to lose the weight, but have not looked at it from a long term point of view. Finally this year I got it! To be fit and healthy, and eat healthy food, does not mean that it is the end of the world. If anything it is quite the opposite.

So this year I have really looked at changing things for the long term. I have transformed my body. (This is still a work in progress). I have learnt more about healthy eating and how to look at my food intake as fuel for my body. I have also had a close look at my ways of thinking, and how this impacts my mood and the choices I make with my diet. A complete overhaul if you like.

This year I survived an endless amount of muscle pain from the new exercises my body has endured. Then there were the battles I went through in my mind when I wanted to eat badly, but didn’t give in, and the ones where I did and then had to overcome the guilt. There was also the learning curve at the gym: Feeling uncoordinated while I fumbled through some of the exercises. Is my bottom bouncing around when I do burpees? Did everyone notice I had my pants on back the front the other morning?

Part way through the year I began to notice some positive changes. Naturally, I began losing some weight, I found I was actually enjoying most of the exercise and I just started feeling fantastic! My skin was glowing, I had more energy and I could see a new kind of respect in my family’s eyes. I started looking upon the sweat and the muscle soreness as progress. I felt “in control”.

At this point I would like to mention how much I appreciate the support I received from so many people. My husband has been wonderfully supportive and I now realise how hard it must have been for him to sit back and watch me fail again and again. This year I am thrilled to see the look of pride in his eyes instead. My beautiful daughter encouraged me in her own special way and tried to pretend the snacks she enjoyed in front of me were all “disgusting”.

Thank you to the endless number of people who went out of their way to compliment me on my efforts and progress. I would also like to thank Yaralla Fitness for their support and my personal trainers Shaun Booth and Danielle Keeping who helped transform my body to something I am much prouder of today. Megan Leane Dietitian taught me about healthy food and consistency and Vicki Tobin-Platten from Simply Psychology got my head in the right place. Well done Vicki!

For me, 2017 is a year that I will never forget. It is the year I decided to take control of my life and make a change that will serve myself and my family well for the rest of our lives. It’s the year I said “you’ve got this”.

My journey will continue into next year as I still have some ‘improvements’ to make. I’m looking forward to taking the things I have learnt and putting them into practice with my newfound love of health and fitness.

I hope I have helped inspire anyone who is thinking of taking on a challenge in their life. You might be surprised at just how strong you can be if it is something your heart really desires.  Believe in yourself and give it your best shot. You won’t look back.

Read more about Cheryl’s Healthy Lifestyle Challenge HERE: 

Look back at 2017 when Cheryl’s Healthy Lifestyle Challenge all started HERE: