Hello, this is me, imperfections and all...

There are a lot of new people to my page, and some of you don't know me or my background, so it's time I did an update of my bio, so you know who you are working with.

Those that have just met me probably see me as some crazy lycra clad lady who is obsessed with making you do burpees, and I am in some ways, because I want you all to have the love of exercise and fitness that I have found.

It wasn't always this way, from the age of 10 I was obese, over the years sometimes morbidly. As a serial, yet clearly quite bad at it, dieter I went up, I went down (a little bit) but generally hovered at around 16 stone. The highest I've recorded was 17 1/2 stone but I'm pretty sure there were times I was higher. But it wasn't the weight, more the clothes, shops are better now but when I was younger I had to buy men's clothes to cater for my size. It's never a good look as a young teen. I used to delude myself that size 22 fitted so heaven knows what my size peaked at, and yes as you can see I had terrible hair styles too!

Three years ago I lost 6 1/2 stone when I ran my first marathon, through simply eating good real clean food and exercising. Edinburgh marathon 2013 was one of the best days of my life. I ran in roughly 4 hours 35 (I forget the actual time) and to cross the line as a marathoner was something many people, including myself never thought possible. 

So I run marathons, ultras, half marathons, fun runs, 10k's, mud runs (this could go on a while) tell me there's a race and I'll wave my money in your face, even if I'm broke. Why? because it's fun, it makes me feel alive, I get to spend time with like minded individuals who either don't see me as crazy or just accept it, probably because they are bonkers too. And the best bit? I now get to help change peoples lives.

After years of self confidence issues I chose to enter a fickle and looks based industry as a fitness professional. It was such a scary move for me, and I struggled with insecurities for a long time, I still do, but I love it. Two years later I'm self employed, work out not just for fun but for my job, I meet amazing people every week and try to help them find the confident, healthy and strong individuals they already are but sometimes can't get to the surface. 

It's body confidence that I want to talk to you about. I'ts taken me a long time to be even remotely comfortable with my body. In my head I assumed that after losing so much weight I would have a great figure; toned abs, no cellulite in sight, no bingo wings. The reality isn't that. I have excess skin, I have cellulite and sometimes I am still hung up on it. But I should't be. My body is awesome, it's strong, it's beautiful and it created a beautiful human being. 

I don't look like the air brushed cover on a magazine, I have lots of weird lumps and bumps. I probably have to tuck things in that shouldn't need tucking in and my stretch marks have stretch marks but my body is the reason I am where I am today. My fickle determination to look better  has made me the fit, strong and healthy individual I am now.

The main message? believe in yourself and be kind to yourself. Do the things you enjoy, eat the things you enjoy... (OK in moderation, got to get that in there) You've heard it all before but we only get one life, live it with the people who put a smile on your face and do the things that make that smile broader. 

Fitness and nutrition as an industry is challenging, there is so much information to digest, don't do this, don't do that, eat this, train this way. What works for me is to keep it clean. Eat more fruits and vegetables, choose lean meats and cook meals from scratch and don't use jars or packet sauces. Remember those macro nutrients, we need them all. Healthy fats, muscle building protein and energy giving carbohydrate.

Just keep it simple, listen to your body and move more, make your goals achievable so success happens without you realizing. Surround yourself with positive, like minded individuals who build you up, not tear you down and before you know it you will be running that race, and making healthy choices as second nature...

If you have been even just a little bit inspired, get in touch, I would love to hear your story. Even better, come along to one of my classes. We love to meet new people and I promise we don't bite

For more information on my classes or me click here

Becky

For a healthier, happier you

www.bw-fitness.co.uk

Healthier homemade houmous

Houmous is a fab food, crammed with chickpeas it gives us a great hit of protein and iron along with other essential nutrients. However most shop bought Houmous contains Tahini which is high in fat. So try out this recipe that is Tahini free and just as tasty.

200g dried chick peas re-hydrated
The juice of one lemon
1/2 x teaspoon sea salt
1/2 x tablespoon olive oil
1 x teaspoon of green or red pesto
1 x teaspoon of cumin
1-2 x garlic clove (depending on preference)
pinch of black pepper

Half teaspoon parprika for dusting.

Makes three servings.
Carb: 12.0g   Fat: 5.4g   Sat fat: 0.7g   Protein: 4.9g   Cal: 121

Add all ingredients, minus the paprika to a food processor and blend, slowly add teaspoons of water until the desired consistency is reached.

Add paprika and serve with your favourite vegetables or indulge with pitta (my fave way to eat houmous!) A lighter tasty alternative that's much kinder on the waist!

Homemade wholemeal pizza...

OK so it's pizza, so never the healthiest choice, but if your cravings for take away, try this instead...

A healthier wholemeal version of tea time faves, one that the kiddie winks can't complain about too...

500g strong wholemeal bread flour
1 x 7g yeast sachet
650ml luke warm water
Teaspoon of caster sugar and salt.

Mix into a dough, roll into 2/3 balls (depending on how big you like your pizza) rest for 45 min with a damp tea towel covering it.

Roll out into pizza bases, if you don't want to use it all now the bases can be frozen

Add your toppings, I use passata with a tablespoon per pizza of tomato puree, sprinkle with oregano and a bit of mixed herbs, then decorate with toppings of your choice.

My version here is using cooked herb chicken, red onion, pepper and cherry tomatoes.

Enjoy

A sum up of 2015 and the year ahead...

"I don't want to blow it again..."

How many times have we though this when it comes to a new year?

So if you are anything like me, the thoughts you had at the end of 2015 were the same as at the end of 2014, and probably 2013, etc...  I'm really good at setting goals for myself and just not following through. But that's OK, we're all human after all.

This years seems to be the first Christmas where I have let myself take time off with the family and properly chilled out. Even if it has meant that the sofa now has an imprint of my bum in it and I now feel a little bit like I might develop agoraphobia. I've had a nice time, it's been relaxing.

But now it's time to wipe away the mince pie crumbs, find my running trainers and get back on it. Those miles aren't going to run themselves. Looking at my calendar I have at least 12 events planned and I am sure that will have doubled by the end of the year. This is what I do now. It's what defines me and at the start of this New Year I have to take a moment to reflect back.

2015 was a fantastic year for me, there were many mud races, half marathon's, marathons, many 10k's and one Ultra. But it wasn't without it's challenges. I learnt a lot last year...

My first proper break down mid-race.

Yorkshire Marathon this year for me was the toughest run I have ever faced. Full of a six week steaming cold, wiped out and under trained I was advised against it but stubbornness prevailed. Mile 5 saw me wanting to quit, and this was the theme for the rest of the race. If it wasn't for my super human most fabulous group of running friends formed from the York Rose Runners I would have bailed. But what did I learn; that I'm stronger than I think, and if others believe in you it's much easier to believe in yourself.

My first Ultra marathon

Well that was fun, no actually it was. 31.5 Walkers crisp munching, ice cream licking miles of the beautiful North Yorkshire coast line and all to support Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue - heros that they are! Yes it was hard. But it's another thing ticked off that ever growing bucket list and one more thing that I thought I would never achieve!

Two races in one day...

Vale of York Half marathon, a flat and fast paced half followed by what can only be descirbed as runnning insanity. After finishing the Half Marathon we hot footed it over to Huddersfield with an hour to spare where we changed at the side of the road into Wonder woman (appropriate!) to complete Wineathlon - a 9 mile wine fueled trail run, preferably in fancy dress. The four of us donned our mini skirts and tiara's and went for it. Never before have I been passed at mile 4 by a very inebriated Elvis in Nike running trainers. Lesson learnt - Running and Alcohol. Never one to mix, but hilarious fun and signed up again this year!

So from a few firsts to setting no firsts for 2016... I am setting myself no goals for 2016 apart from to enjoy my year of fitness. Every year since I lost the weight I've tried to achieve something new, and  in some respects, prove a point. This year is just about enjoying myself and the friends I have made through this fab sport. I'm sure at some point through the year I'll get bored and decide I need a challenge to sink my teeth into but for now I am just enjoying what the year has in store...

So see you in 2016, good luck with whatever your challenge may be...