A Healthier Me: 10 Month Update

I cannot quite believe that my 10 month update has come around so quickly. In one way time has gone so fast and in others it has gone so slow. I started this journey back in April 2021, without any idea how long I would be going for. Looking back at pictures and videos of myself back then is almost like looking at a stranger. I have no idea who that person was. I definitely think this weight-loss and fitness journey has been the best decision I have ever made.

Not only have I enjoyed this process, it’s also become my life. I have created such a great routine with my eating and exercise that it just feels like second nature now.

One of my favourite things about this process is how much it has inspired others. I often get messages from people I know and readers of the blog telling me about how I have inspired them to continue or start their own weight-loss/health journey. It makes me so happy that I can inspire others to kick start their health and learn to look after themselves better. There is no more rewarding feeling.

I thought I would update you all on where I am at with my half marathon training and just generally how I have been feeling over the last month before and after Christmas!

I’M RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY

The most important part of this 10 month update is that I am now taking donations for my half marathon. I have decided to raise money for Diabetes UK, which is a UK based charity that helps people and families suffering with Diabetes. They have so many great resources on their website that help to know the signs and symptoms of diabetes which I think is so important.

This charity is very close to my heart as my best friend passed away due to complications with her diabetes. So this is something so important to me! If you would like to donate, please see the link below. If you aren’t in the position to donate, I’d love for you to share my donation link to help spread the word.

I will post training updates on that page and any new fundraising information I have!

HALF MARATHON TRAINING UPDATE

When I first signed up for this half marathon I actually had no idea what would be in store for me. I went into it very blind but I am so thankful I have a coach who is helping me each week to make sure I’m getting those miles in. Alot of my running is done on the treadmill indoors at the moment. With it being winter and so cold and dark alot I decided to stop running outdoors for a while.

Each week we increase my running time by 10 minutes to make sure that my endurance is increasing. And honestly I can feel it increasing each and every week. I don’t really get out of breath when I run anymore and I can feel my body getting fitter and fitter. Its actually such an amazing feeling.

I have been really enjoying all of the training I have been doing, but of course its taking a toll on my body. I’m putting in so many miles each week that I know I now need to focus on the after care of my body post runs too. Making sure I’m stretching and foam rolling as often as I can to prevent injury. Because the last thing I want or need is an injury to slow me down! If any of you are runners I’d love to hear your tips and tricks on how to make sure I look after my body properly before and after runs.

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DIET CHANGES

Over the last 10 months I have been working with my coach Ellie, we have changed my meal plan many times. If you didn’t know, I work with Ellie online. She’s been so amazing at coaching me and guiding me through my weight loss. If you’d like to enquire about an online coaching plan, please message her on Instagram!

I have learnt over the last few months that what you eat is just as important as exercising. Not getting the right nutrients can really have an affect on your body. And being vegetarian its meant that I have to think about what I eat and my protein levels too. So something new Ellie has told me to do is make sure I’m getting more protein each day. Which again is hard being vegetarian but its been fun trying to think of different meals to eat to hit my daily targets!

One thing I am so proud of myself for is how I ate over Christmas. No restrictions and no over eating. I feel like I have so much more control over my food now. I found it alot easier getting back into my routine too after the festivities had finished. And thats something I always struggled with.

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LOOKING BACK

As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, it’s crazy to see how much I have changed physically when I look back at photos of myself. I don’t recognise the person I was back then and I see changes physically but I have grown so much mentally too. They really were not lying when they said that exercise can really help your mental health. I feel so much stronger mentally and feel like I can handle so much more than I did before.

Sometimes the ‘before’ photos are hard to look at, but I am so glad I have them. It’s such a great reminder and motivator to never go back to that person again.

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PHYSIQUE UPDATE

Thought I would include a couple of new before and after pictures here!

So there it is, my 10 month update! I hope you enjoyed this post.

Thanks so much for reading my 10 months update. Please don’t feel obligated to give to my charity page. I just wanted to give an opportunity for you to support a good cause. But please share it if you can too. Anything is helpful!

Olivia x 
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