I was the child that came last at cross country in school.

Actually, to be fair to myself, I was third from last. The child with asthma and the child that wasn't trying came behind me.
I missed the ball in rounders, my passes in hockey were pitiful, I wasn't strong enough to get on the trampoline, let alone brave enough to do a seat drop and I liked being Goal Defence in netball so I didn't have to do as much catching (or in my case, missing).
One year my sports day team captain put me down to run the 800 meters.
What did I do? I paid a girl in my class £4 to run it for me.

The first time I joined a gym was when I was 19.
I was about to go backpacking and the thought of my weedy arms carrying around a 13kilo backpack was hilarious (and a little petrifying)
All my workouts were gym based and it's probably fair to say that I didn't really know what I was doing. It did it's job though and I believe this was the first time my arms had anything that resembled muscles.
It was more of a means to and end though and I didn't really enjoy it.

Trying my first gym class

It was in my mid 20s that I became the stereotypical bride-to-be and started upping my game to get ready for the big day.

After a few months of just using the gym, my mum and I (yep, I go with my mum!) tried our first class - Fitsteps.

Trying a new class is scary. Which room is it in? Where can I hide? What if I go wrong?
I promise that people are not there to judge you and as soon as you do go you'll realise that no one is paying attention to anyone but themselves and the instructor.

Taking that leap and going to Fitsteps was the best thing I have ever done for my fitness.
Not only did I find the most amazing instructor, it also paved the way for me to join other classes like Zumba, Spinning, Body Combat & Strong.

The Gym is such a big part of my life now.

To some people I am very aware that sounds like their worst nightmare. If you'd asked me 10 years ago it would have sounded like my worst nightmare to. But I love it.

No matter what kind of day I have had (and as stereotypically corny as it sounds) I really do leave all my worries at the door.

There's a long way to go yet

Now, don't be getting all kinds of crazy thoughts into your head that I am some kind of super lean machine.
I can hardly do a half press up, let alone a full one and I am currently very proud that I have recently started doing something that resembles a burpee.
What ever energy I leave at the gym I currently eat twice of at home. Look up emotional eating in the dictionary and there I am.

But, exercise has made me stronger and more importantly happier and I know it will continue to do so for as long as I make the effort.

I really hope that I have inspired you to get out there and try a class. If not I at least hope my childhood incapabilities made you laugh.

If you're in Hemel and want to try a class with me at Sportspace then let me know and I'll be your gym buddy.
Just don't stand in the back right hand corner. That spot is mine...

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