Monthly Archives: April 2017

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

The Good 

Ok it’s good that I’m back training and back at Crossfit, but I’ve put on so much weight, so quickly, that I feel I’m starting all over again.  I suppose it’s also good that I know I’ve done this before, so I know I can do it again.  It also helps to know that absolutely nobody is judging me, except myself!

 

 

The Bad

 

The bad? OMG it’s so bad to be starting at the beginning again. To start a dead-lift only to discover the bar is pinching your overhanging stomach so the weight is the least of your problems.  So bad being out of breath after 4 mins on the rower. So bad to be unable to do a single proper burpee ‘cos your belly gets in the way.  Grrrr when I regain the ability to do a full burpee, I will do 20 a day for the rest of my life and never moan about burpees again.

 

 

The Ugly

 

The ugly is the overhanging belly that gets in the way of every flippin’ thing and sits like a tired old man on my thighs.  The ugly is the tops that won’t fit and the gravity defying baggy leggings. The ugly is the hot sweaty face and the sweat stained runners. The ugly is the double chin that threatens to choke me when I lie down on my yoga mat.

 

 

The Result

 

The result can only be Good.  It’s good to know that this is a passing phase.  All I need to do is train consistently and my faithful old body will stop creaking and start to sing again.   It’s good to know that everyone has my back and is encouraging me on.  It’s good to know that in the eyes of my #CrossFit community, a sweaty face is a thing of beauty, a groan is a badge of honour, and huffing and puffing a testament to a challenge well met.

Here’s to life, to passion, to effort and reward.  I wish The Good,  The Bad and The Ugly for us all this Easter weekend.

Ireland’s Got Curves – Best in Health

I had a wonderful experience at the weekend. I was happy to speak at Ireland’s first – ‘Ireland’s Got Curves’ – ‘Curvy Convention’.

It was great to see so many beautiful ‘plus-size’ girls, women, designers, and business people all together under one roof. I think it might be the beginning of something special.

Ireland's Got Curves - Best in Health

Ireland’s Got Curves – Best in Health

My message was to talk about my own plus-size journey to fitness.

I lost 10 stone in a year in 2010 and while that can be a source of inspiration to some – I think there’s also a valuable message in how I put a dramatic amount of weight back on in the last couple of years – but still persisted in keeping active.

Last year I celebrated being 50 by completing TEN triathlons.

I think the most important thing for me is to find my ‘sweet spot’ – that’s the size and shape that allows me to live and do all the things that I want to do, to enjoy life and sport and the people around me – without beating myself up about how I look.

I’m not there yet – but I haven’t given up either. I guess I’m a bit of a weight-loss warrior.

In the meantime, I had a lovely surprise at the Curvy Convention – because I was awarded the inaugural trophy for Ireland’s Got Curves – Best in Health.

I was also given a star! A real star has been named after me! How incredibly special is that? I’m absolutely chuffed that there is a star out there called Teena. Looking at the night sky will never be the same again.

Thank you Ireland’s Got Curves and thank you to all the lovely girls who bravely took to the catwalk this weekend and truly strutted their stuff in style.

Girls, I think we may have started a curvy revolution xxx

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