In just under 12 months, Jess has completely transformed her life, body and mind.

“I was so unhappy, frustrated, lacking a lot of confidence, carrying extra weight, in a job that was physically and emotionally draining everything out of me, lacking any type of fitness, suffering shin splints (most likely from the extra weight I was carrying on my body) and I wasn’t in a good frame of mind. I knew I wanted to change that, as all these things are not who I am or wanted to be.”

12 months ago I hit a low; my ‘snap point’. This is what I needed to push me to get where I am today.

That, alongside the help of an amazing chick who has taught me so much about fitness, nutrition and life, who I am so grateful for, my very talented and inspiring trainer, Mel.

What I achieved was so much more than I ever could have expected.

Let me give you a run down of where I was at a year ago today…

I was so unhappy, frustrated, lacking a lot of confidence, carrying extra weight, in a job that was physically and emotionally draining everything out of me, lacking any type of fitness, suffering shin splints (most likely from the extra weight I was carrying on my body) and I wasn’t in a good frame of mind. I knew I wanted to change that, as all these things are not who I am or wanted to be.

I had spent 3 years trying different things to make me happy. This diet, that diet, I went back to play soccer thinking that would help. Anything I could think of to get this weight off, but nothing seemed to work and I would always end up back where I was, if not a little bit heavier than when i’d started. (you know the drill, I’m sure most people who have tried to lose weight before are familiar with what I’m saying)

It was at a certain point (which is the ‘snap point’ I mentioned earlier) that I decided I needed to do something about all of this.

It was a Saturday afternoon in August (I remember the day quite vividly, not one that I will probably ever forget). I was on my way home from a soccer match I had just played, I was stopping in to a bridal shop to try on bridesmaids dresses for a friends wedding I was in the following February. It was when the shop assistant handed me a dress, 3 sizes up from what I usually wear to try on, and I couldn’t get it done up, that the emotion started building up. Needless to say, when I walked out of the change room, I felt pretty average about myself, and then to make it even worse, I had to stand next to the other girls who were a lot smaller than I was. I put on a brave face (I was good at that!) during the fitting, but I spent the car ride home from there and the rest of the weekend a blubbering mess. It was what i needed though to get my ass into gear! The following monday (in some downtime at work) I started doing some research. I looked into 2 options. The first was to do with how I was feeling emotionally. I sent off an enquiry email to a counsellor. I had been through some personal issues (will write about those some other time) over the 3 years prior and had been told on several occasions that I may benefit from speaking to someone, but I always stubbornly disagreed. The other option was to find somebody that could help me shift this weight which i couldn’t seem to manage on my own. I had read up a little bit on what Mel’s business offered (via a friend who was training with her) and decided to send her an email also. So, both emails had been sent by the Monday afternoon. The first step in seeking out some help for myself finally.

I received an email reply back within an hour from Mel, but the counsellor didn’t respond until some 2 weeks later, at which point, I had met Mel & well and truly started my transformation journey with her.

I slowly started realising that I was learning not only about nutrition and exercise, but about how your emotions and mindset play a big part in why your life is the way it is. I never contacted the counsellor back, didn’t feel a need to anymore. (plus a 2 week reply? really? well, maybe everything happens for a reason )

Fast forward a year (a lot of hard work and following Mel’s direction) and I now have months of achievements under my belt, and a strong desire to continue setting big goals for myself (some of which I am still yet to work out but excited to keep searching for them on this adventure that we call life).

If there is one thing I’m certain of going forward, it is that I don’t ever want to give up or go back to the way I was.

I’m sharing it in hope that it may inspire you. If I can achieve all of this, so can you!

“Success isn’t given. It’s earned; on the track, on the field, in the gym. With blood, sweat, and the occasional tear”

Make the decision, find yourself somebody who can help you, commit to a plan and then succeed!