Body Confidence

Now this isn't like my normal blog posts but I feel like it needs to be said. Body confidence is a huge issue in todays society and I can't say that I haven't been affected by it because I have. Magazines portray such unrealistic bodies and most have been photoshopped anyway. University has done me the world of good and I want to share some of things that have made me love who I am.....

Since coming to university my body didn't annoy me because I have always been quite skinny, which I have been lucky with. However, in first year my body changed quite quick and it made me hate looking at other girls. I was short, weak and surrounded by unrealistic targets. In first year I had a free gym membership, I would go once a week and just run on the treadmill or bike it. This was doing me no favours. It was when I went to my first Zumba class that I started to gain confidence and enjoy something I loved doing.

I went by myself (which is something I would never have done before) and loved every minute of it.  The whole idea of being comfortable in your own body is spread in every Zumba class you go to. I seriously am in love with this class and always look forward to the next one.  Thanks to my lovely Zumba teacher Alex, I have also been thinking about becoming a Zumba instructor, her classes are so energetic and fun that its something I really want to do. 

Next I started going to go Yogalates to improve my dodgy hips and relieve my stress from the week. Once I had started to go on a regular basis I could see the improvements I was making which made me very happy. I also advise taking regular progress shots as you will be able to see the gradual changes that are happening. This is one thing I regret not doing as much. So it wasn't until my third year that I decided to change up my gym routine as I knew nothing was really changing. I paid for personal training sessions to help me start the journey on weight training. I go once/ twice a week and try to step up my weights gradually and I can really see the change in my arms. If I told my past self that I would be squatting 42.5kg and lifting 22.5 kg I wouldn't have believed it. Yes, compared to other people that is nothing but to me thats everything. 

I have surrounded myself with supportive friends and go to classes I am very passionate about. If you aren't confident with yourself then you should try to do something about it. I did and I have not looked back. I get surprised every time I get compliments but I have worked so hard and still have a long way to go. The journey is the fun thing. I don't want to reach my goal straight away, I want to enjoy every moment I have trying to get fit. Of course I have days where I don't feel the best but I go to Zumba and come out feeling so much better. Even if you don't do it to get physically fit, it makes you mentally fit. 

And I can't say that I eat healthy every single day because we all need junk food from time to time or a big Harvester cake! I just want to say thank you to everyone who has helped me get to where I am, from my instructors to my beautiful friends. We should all support each other and not judge!

Love Em

xx