Reflecting back on a year of being lean!

On Monday 18th April 2016 I started my lean journey by doing The Body Coach SSS 90 day Plan.  I completed it with nearly a stone lost and about 18".  A year on and I am still eating sensibly and exercising 3-4 times per week.  I have improved slightly on my results and I am maintaining.

I am so  happy I did this.  I am so pleased that I got started properly.  I feel so much better about myself and I am much more confident.  I am looking forward to wearing my bikini in July and I love that I can now wear size 8-10 clothes again comfortably and not have to search around for lose styles that 'skim' my tummy.

What have  I learnt?
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• That I needed a proper plan to get started.  One that gave me results in a relatively short period of time.  For too long I had exercised 'a bit' and 'eat sort of clean'ish' but in fact had really only played at it.  I wasn't putting enough effort into my workouts, I wasn't exercising enough and food-wise I just eat what I liked and always thought I'll do better tomorrow.  I was menopausal and drank too much wine.
• That exercising 4 x per week isn't so terrible.  I really can fit it in.  Some weeks are busier than others and sometimes I have to cut myself some slack but on the whole I do it and it is possible.  I don't need to exercise for an hour or more every time.  A 45 minute full body weights session is plenty.
• That it is possible to eat what you want but still lose weight and make better choices. I no longer crave desserts, wine or chocolate.  But I have them if I want them.  I didn't whilst I was doing the SSS Plan.  I was strict with myself but now I am maintaining I am more relaxed.  I will not gain back that stone if over the Easter weekend I choose to have some chocolate and a hot cross bun.
• That consistency is key.  Just keep doing the same things day in and day out.  Get a routine and stick to it.  Find a way of eating that works for you and stick to it.  
• That a strong determination to succeed is important.  During SSS I avoided going out for meals as it was too difficult.  I wanted to commit to the 90 days.  But now I am happy to eat out, but I am strong, I know what I like and I know what works for me, I am not tempted by plates of chips or big desserts.  I have wine but only 1 or 2 small glasses.  It doesn't bother me at all.  I am not missing out.
• That comparison really is the thief of joy!  There are some great support groups on Facebook etc but everyone is different.  And I cannot be as strong or determined as some of the fantastic women out there.  But I can do what is right for me and my family.  And I am succeeding.  Maybe more slowly than some but I am 50, I still don't really love exercise and I have a busy life and family to look after.  I do my best and I am very happy with my achievements.
• And finally that this is a commitment for life.  I am not going back.  I have found a balanced way of eating for me.  I have found a way to fit exercise into my life.  But most importantly I understand what works for me and I want to do it.

Sometimes I honestly can't believe I did this.  That I started a lean journey, completed it and achieved great results then decided to make it a lifestyle!  Really!?  Pinch me!  For so long I wanted to do this but now I have actually done it and I still doubt myself sometimes, it's hard to see what others see, which is a petite 50 year old woman who looks pretty good for her age!

My advice to others - if you really want it then anyone can do it.  I admit I didn't have much to lose but it still took some determination to stick to it.  I have learnt so much about health and nutrition along the way.  And I am learning more with my 8020 Lifestyle plan from Life Changing Fitness that I am currently doing.  It is teaching me all about a balanced approach that can be sustainable forever.

Love
Michelle xx