25/06/2026
Today’s thoughts 🤎
it’s a long one, but my thing has always been words, and writing, so here we go…
Some might look at these pictures and see purely before and after, in terms of weight loss, and yes that is visibly clear to see… but there is so so much more, and even though the two pictures are both of myself - the difference between each girl nearly a decade apart in those pictures, goes far deeper than aesthetics, and so much more about a mental change too 🥲
The holiday photo I still love, and I’m so proud of that girl playing on the beach with her babies… I’ve always been everyone else’s cheerleader, uplifting whoever I could, but I’d neglected to do that for myself for a long time - but I’d promised myself on that holiday I would be kinder to myself, and no matter what shape or size, to be accepting and to rock it, which I did, and it’s still one of the most special holidays of my life so far 🤎
That being said, I was still struggling with lingering post natal depression, high anxiety, and the pressure of being a mum to 3 little boys, a wife, and I’d lost myself for a while. I haven’t always been overweight, only in certain parts of my life… but during this chapter I was unfit, not eating to nourish my body, and prone to binge eating in secret then restricting 😓
I was masking badly, and I knew that I wanted, and needed to change, for myself ultimately, but also to be the mum and wife I wanted to be too - but I also knew that it had to come from me 🤎
From there on I decided I didn’t want to feel the way I did anymore… so I had therapy, I was kinder to myself in who I was and how my brain works and how I see the world differently to others (later diagnosed with adhd and another part of my healing journey) I started to introduce exercise very slowly, and made small changes gradually with my diet without restriction, and I finally educated myself on food and nutrition - and about balance in all areas. Exercise became a lifestyle and for enjoyment not punishment 🙏🏻
Was it easy?? No.
Did I have struggles and ups and downs?? Yes.
But I never gave up on myself - I’d made a promise this was for life 🤎 this was for my future self to be fitter and healthier, and to find some peace and growth along the way too.
What happened next even I never would have believed at the start… but I turned all of this into a passion for helping others, and it became the most rewarding job I could have ever wished for - and with my adhd brain, it’s been the only job I’ve ever truly loved, and not wanted to leave.
So my point ultimately is… when you hear me talk so much about the mental changes being just as important as the physical ones, this is why 🙏🏻
My Studio is a place for fabulous workouts and physical changes as a result, but it’s also a place where I promote positive body image, guidance around food without it leading to guilt, understanding the stumbling blocks of life mean the journey won’t be linear… kinder self talk, and acceptance of the journey you are on, and not waiting for an end result to feel happy within yourself - because that needs to happen right now 🥹
I might not be the Personal Trainer who leaves you crawling out the door each session, battered from a gruelling workout, that’s not me and I’m ok with that…
But I understand how hard it can be, and I promise to be the Personal Trainer who helps you to achieve your physical goals in whatever way is tailored to you and your needs - but to also be the listening ear you may need too… and if I can, to support you in gaining a more positive outlook on yourself, and for your future self too 🙏🏻
Kirsty x
