As a child I was pure skin and bones, probably even up to the age of 14/15...pretty much until I started getting symptoms of Endometriosis but even then my weight was never really an issue...I carried on through to University and gained standard 'uni weight' but lost most of is soon after. It was only when I got my Endometriosis diagnosed and started getting treatment that my weight just shot up...With different hormones being taken every other month and surgery after surgery I was soon at a weight I was not comfortable with at all. I was never massive but I felt out of control, I couldn't control what was going on inside and now it seemed I couldn't control outside either...I tried diet after diet but nothing worked, it just seemed that this increase in hormone levels was just messing with my bodies natural rhythm. As well as this the painkillers I had taken for the condition had caused stomach ulcers and eating acidic foods like fruit and vegetables just caused so much more pain. Endometriosis was causing problems to every aspect of my life and I just needed to get control over it.
This is where a friend mentioned to me about Herbalife, you drink 2 shakes a day and eat a healthy balanced evening meal with protein, carbohydrates and vegetables as well as 2 healthy snacks. She herself had lost over 30lb and was a pure inspiration for me. The shakes are fantastic and didn’t hurt my stomach to have them and I had a lot more energy to do exercise, something Id been struggling with for years due to pain and low energy levels….honestly, pain really does suck the life out of you…
After losing 20lb on Herbalife and learning more about healthy eating and nutrition I decided it was time to get back into exercise…I wanted my body to be strong and healthy rather than just skinny…and to do this I joined the local gym…this didn’t work for me…on days when Id had enough of work and just wanted to go home, I did just that…I went home…
It was then I saw a poster at a Christening for Bikini Fitness…a ladies only boot camp in my area of Roath, Cardiff…and after a few missed sessions due to pure nerves…it had been a long time since I allowed myself to believe I could do something like this and I really didn’t think I was strong enough…I finally went to my first class and loved it…
Mel…who runs the class…takes your weight, measurements and before pictures if you like…showed me that its OK to not be a thoroughbred athlete on my first go and just let me go at my own pace which was just what I needed…and the other ladies in the group took me in as one of their own…with a mix of cardio, strength, boxercise, Pilates and core exercises the class varies each week and within weeks I could feel my core strengthening and mainly, my confidence was boosted better than it had been in years. As well as all the classes…Monday/Thursday and a Male and Female class on a Saturday in Roath park…we regularly talk about ‘eating clean’ and give tips and advice on healthy meals and snacks to keep us going through the week…its been a lifesaver…
Don’t get me wrong I have off days…I still love to try new foods…well what my stomach will allow…and love to try out new restaurants/cafes/bars…its just now I know how to stay healthy and strong I need to get back on the shakes on a Monday for fuel and to class on to burn it all off…
*For more information about either Herbalife or Bikini Fitness/G-M Fitness get in contact with me J @sianbowen85 on twitter *