No Over-the-Top Diet Needed!

I said to myself, "I just want to see how good I can get my body." No pressure, which made it easier in my mind. It's not a diet, it's just a change of lifestyle.

At first, I just joined an exercise class, not knowing what I'd be doing—turns out it was hard! I sweat like never before, and was red in the face. I'd never worked my body like that in my life, and it was not attractive! It was the best thing I ever did though, because that made me realise all the different exercises I could do by myself at home. I couldn't do a lot at first, but week by week, I got better. I ended up going twice a week to one hour classes, and then doing 15 minutes at home each day. I lost my job, so I needed something positive to focus on whilst I looked for work.

Anyway, I didn't diet, I just changed my lifestyle choices. What I used to eat was bad, and I always felt bad, so it makes sense really. I started just using common sense and eating better food, I toned the portions down a bit and exercised. I still eat bad food, but all it takes is a lot less of it. I realised that it's all in your mindset. I didn't set out to go on a diet or make myself exercise to look a certain way, because then I would have automatically felt pressure from dieting and imaging how I'd look in the future, which subconsciously makes it so much harder!

I used to eat full breakfasts, chips, chocolates, crisps, fizzy drinks takeaways—all usual bad stuff, and all the time. I went from that to eating boiled eggs, smoothies, cereals, fruit or nuts when I'm peckish, rice, potatoes and pasta instead of chips, and I limit myself to one bar of chocolate a day and a diet coke, which is genuinely enough just to enjoy. I eat a lot of chicken because I like it. I go gym three to four times a week for about an hour and 30 minutes a time, but one hour is plenty. I fully believe that running is the best way to get that fat GONE! And FAST. The weight just dropped off of me. I hated running at the start, I could only run to the end of the road without stopping, but now I can run for an hour if I wanted to. Point is, at first it's uncomfortable, hard, and sweaty, but is so worth it. You get better and better weekly! At first, I was a bit strict with treats, then eased off after three months in. Now, I'm just smart—if I go out, get drunk and have a kebab, instead of feel bad for two days I just smash it the day after and start eating well again. I still have my chocolate, and if during week after I want a takeaway, I will just do same thing. I think balance is the key.

Depending on how far you want to go, getting ripped isn't as hard as you think. Once that body fat is down, you start to see results pretty quickly. I focused mostly on my abs, which I never thought I'd get! Basically, I just started doing ab exercises, which you can get good at quickly! Once you have reached a level where you're happy, just tone it down a bit. Go to the gym less, but still go, and still carry on with your food lifestyle change. You will be surprised at your body and how eating bad foods effects you—not feeling guilty, but rather just feeling physically bad because of what you're putting in your body. Then the opposite starts happening, and you'll feel great after a bit of fruit or a healthy dinner.

Don't be afraid to take pictures, too. You look at yourself daily, so you won't notice any change right away, or usually not until someone else says something anyway.

Finally, if you feel you have messed up, don't give up! It happens! There's no pressure, you're just seeing how good you can get your body! IT'S NOT A DIET, REMEMBER?

To sum it all up, I'm saying is its that simple: eat healthier and exercise hard, the more sweat the better! Still have your treats and don't put pressure on yourself.

If people like this and read it, I will gladly put a more detailed description of what I eat and do at the gym if anyone is interested.

Thanks for reading, and have fun. ✌️