I am in my late 40s and a mother of two. Like most women, I put on extra weight after the birth of my first child that I just couldn’t shift. And it wasn't as if I was exactly in shape before that. A history of constant yo-yo dieting from age 14 really didn’t help matters.

But I had unwittingly piled on the pounds and become a size 18, weighing 13½ stone (85 kg); snacking constantly, then doing all the crash and fad diets and watching my weight simply bounce back up each time. I thought gyms and exercise classes were just for the health nuts and those skinny, lucky women who, annoyingly, never seemed to put on weight, no matter what they ate.

 

But then, in my thirties, sick and tired of permanent diets that never seemed to work and struggling with lowering energy levels, I stepped into a gym for the first time. Oh, okay, it wasn't a Eureka moment, but it was a start. I discovered that now that I wasn't getting pushed by bullying game's mistresses who always shouted and making me feel like an idiot, I was able to find my own pace, and even more than that, I found that exercise could be fun and it had the added benefits of making me feel really happy and removing the guilt from eating chocolate. More changes followed. I stopped all the fad diets and instead just ate healthier all year round, discovering that there are plenty of delicious recipes out there, even the odd glass of wine (or three!) is allowed. But then, as my energy levels began to grow even more, and the weight really looked like it was finally staying off, I discovered I needed major back surgery to literally replace a whole disc in my spine. Previous back surgery in 1992 needed revising and it was a big operation. I seriously wondered if I would lose all that I had worked for. It took several months and initial progress was slow, but through sheer determination, and lots of tears (I hate pain!), I got my fitness and strength back, and if anything, I am now in even better shape than I was before, doing 200 press-ups a day (yes, the full ones).

 

I found that this whole experience made me even more passionate about exercise and I just loved the feeling my new found fitness and flexibility gave me. Especially at an age where I just didn't think it would be possible, as I now genuinely look and feel better in my forties than I ever did in my twenties (and I don’t mind showing you the photos to prove it!).

 

So now, I want to help others feel good and get in shape, and to share my passion and enthusiasm and enable others to experience the amazing health benefits regular exercise offers. After all, if an overweight, unfit mum of two with back problems can do it . . . then anyone can!