I was never really happy with these photos in the original post, and not just because of the poor quality iPhone photography. Around this time last year I was really spurred into sorting out my fitness, I’d put on a bunch a weight and wasn’t happy. So much so that I bought this skirt in a size smaller as I was so determined to get myself in shape. 

So I hired a personal trainer and have to say it’s one of the best things I’ve done. I only see Andy once a week but he’s totally changed my thinking in terms of food and exercise. With Andy there no sweating like a pig on treadmills and other fancy cardio machines, we lift heavy weights. I know the idea of lifting weights doesn’t fit with the standard idea of burning calories but it works. There’s truth in that statement, muscle burns more calories that fat. I’m actually weight more now than I have been in the past but far happy with how I look.

Then there’s the food. In our first meeting I got a little row about how little I was eating everyday. Again, it doesn’t quite fit that eating more calories will help you lose weight; but again it’s true, eating too few calories makes your body burn muscle rather than fat. Andy steadily raised my calorie intake each week till I was back up to the recommended 2000 calories a day. I was then allowed to lower them a little bit, but only a little. The effect of this is I eat more than I have ever before but I eat better. 5 fruit and veg a day, easy. I’ve even learned to cook. A no point in the last year would I say I’ve been on a diet but I’ve lost a stone and a half. I eat much healthier than I ever have and don’t feel guilty when I have a bit of chocolate of crisps. 

A year on we tried this photo shoot again. I’m much happier with the shots and I’m wearing that smaller sized skirt now too. No. 35 of 35 at 35 is well on the way.