Showing posts with label my progress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label my progress. Show all posts

Sunday, 2 March 2025

Just simply moving more again

8:14 pm 0


Since February, there’s been no shortage of celebrations—my birthday, my anniversary, my partner’s birthday, and, of course, Valentine’s Day. That’s a lot of good food and indulgence! Have I been counting calories? Nope. But I’ve been sticking to mindful eating and a workout routine that works (I hope!)—because I’m fluctuating down 6 to 9kg since my weigh-in back in October/November 2024!.. and i've been fitting into old clothes (so it's also been financially beneficial. 😀) 


But, has it been easy? Not at All.


Like I mentioned in my last post, what worked in my 20s doesn’t work the same in my 30s anymore—whether it’s stamina, certain workout styles, or recovery time. Some days are harder than others, but I’ve realised time and time again that the more I move, the better I feel overall.


And.. because accountability is key, here’s what’s been working for me lately!


My Current Workout Routine

I’ve gone back to basics with cardio, but not the usual “set a timer, do reps and sets and and go” routine. Instead, I’ve been mixing it up with:

  • Tabata & Dance Workouts (GrowWithJo) – I am probably the most uncoordinated person ever, and calling myself a "dancer" would be a stretch. I use to always scroll past this style of workouts But with the many raving reviews, i decided to give it a go. I’ve read that if you stick with Jo's workouts, they actually work as long as you stick with it and be consistent—and so far, it has! The workouts make time fly, and I definitely feel the burn. The best part? Most of Jo’s routines are beginner-friendly, high-intensity, but also low-impact, with many being standing-only workouts.

  • HIIT & Strength Circuits (Oliver Sjöström & SWEAT videos or App) – I mix things up with my cardio with more complex bodyweight exercises and weights. Note: The SWEAT app requires a subscription, but there's heaps of free sweat workouts online too.


What I love most about this new routine is that I can do it all from home. My weight is still fluctuating, and progress is progress—slow and steady wins the race!


When it comes to food, I’m not tracking every calorie, but I am conscious of my carb, sodium, and sugar intake. I’ve been making small but intentional changes—reducing cutting back where I can without feeling deprived.


I know my fitness journey will have ups and downs, but I’m not aiming for perfection—just consistency. Having CP means movement comes with its own challenges, but I’ve learned that staying active helps me feel stronger and more in control. Some days will be harder than others, and that’s okay. As long as I keep moving and doing what works for me, I know I’m on the right track.


My advice? 

Always do what works for you! fitness is not a one size fits all.




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Saturday, 16 May 2020

1 months progress: Push ups

2:41 pm 0


Holding myself accountable with this small progress from April-May 2020 and hopefully there are more of these to come!

I've still got a long road a head of me but small progress is better than no progress. I can see some improvement in my form and stability in my feet. I took a few steps back in my progress from 2017 to late 2019 but i am back at it. I threw out the scales years ago when i came to realise that exercise became a form of release, meditation and therapy. 8/10 it solved all my problems, including the physical fatigue and strain i felt because of my CP and emotional baggage before i learned to love this part of what has always been a major part of my life. Although CP doesn't define me, it is a part of me i choose to embrace. 

Cerebral Palsy is considered a neurological disorder/disability caused by a non-progressive brain injury or malformation that occurs while the child's brain is under development. Cerebral Palsy primarily affects body movement and muscle coordination. 
Photo of Ariane doing a pushup
 
I went from hating what my body couldn't do, to challenging it and proving myself wrong.In 2015 - 2017 I was in the damn best shape of my life. Today, I still continue to work through all the challenges, even if that means resetting again and again now that i know and understand the value of my health. 

Ariane's signature, sign off


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Sunday, 3 May 2020

I finished Centr 6

11:31 pm 0




image of Centr logo

I finished Centr 6 today! That is 6 weeks done. 36 workouts total completed. It was tough. It was all purely  body weight today and (TMI)  it's also that time of the month for me right now, but i knew i only had one workout left and  I chose yesterday to be my rest day so i couldn't let this last one slide. I didn't take any progress pics during the challenge though, because i honestly didn't think i would make it this far and finish. but i took a photo post-this-challenge (but i think i'll keep it to myself and do a comparison shot between the end of centr 6 and centr unleashed!!) 

it was the best news when you see the indication that you have reached the finish line shown on your screen. I did it! i finished my  first centr workout program/challenge ever! it won't be my last either. center - unleashed comes out in two weeks! so in the mean time i'm gonna venture out on the app and do some of the other workouts. 


screenshot from phone which reads: work out complete, duration 34 minutes. in the background shows centr 6 trainer da rulkscreen shot from phone. image shows the timeline from weeks 1 to 6. and indicates that the last workout of the challenge was completed.

The results:

Overall, i feel stronger pretty much everywhere in my whole body (arms, legs, booty and abs) however physically i only see the difference everywhere but my abs! :( but i don't want to give up! I FEEL  the difference so it shouldn't take long until i see them baby abs coming through! I never weighed myself nor measured myself either but i know for a fact i've lost some and gained some baby leg and arm muscles. If this iso/quarantine has done anything major for me it's discovering this app and putting my back on this fitness game. My focus levels and sleep have improved too. During this challenge i also incorporated some additional workouts outside of the app which helped mix things up, but i didn't think i'd love this app as much as i did. I just gave it ago to start with and now i would recommend it to anyone.

Pros and Cons: 

As i mentioned before, i only had to do a few modifications for my CP limitations, or i just went back down to the beginner pace when i had to. I was already used to the pace having done circuit type training before.. though don't get me wrong.. there were times when i did struggle!! I was a fan of all the trainers and really liked how this program incorporated weights with the program. I loved the encouragement that we heard as if the trainers could see you working out through the screen! The only negative for me was the music but i didn't want to mute the volume because the timer and when they would say what the next exercise was really helped me. 

I would say my favourite exercise was thrusters, single arm snatch, crunch, squat + curl  and my least favourites were sit through's, burpee's, mountain climbers and my sometimes favourite were pushups depending on my strength that day!

I conclude the centr 6 challenge feeling positive that i've completed another program. The last program i completed in full successfully was Kayla Itsines' bbg  12 week 1.0 challenge a few years ago when i started my journey, and although the results  of this program wasn't as drastic, i'm starting to learn that every fitness restar/reboot/new chapter is always different and its unlikely the journeys will be the same.. but i know they will always be right. Centr 6 has put me back on track and the post photos i took ( that i will one day reveal) is just the start of 2020 for me. i'm posting everything, writing about it to hold myself accountable. 

Ariane Smiling at the camera
I'm not sure how long Australia will still be in quarantine for, and it looks like restrictions are starting to ease up, but i'm loving that i'm able to have more energy and time to exercise right now. I really i want to keep this  up so let's hope i do! I feel like centr- unleashed will be a bigger challenge for me because it's all bodyweight , no weights! 

Happy May everyone!  

Ariane's signature sign off


 
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Tuesday, 28 April 2020

The N.E.D mindset

2:43 pm 0


Have you met N.E.D? 
I met NED when i was five years old, and i've been telling myself this mantra ever since. When you feel like you're about to fall, say this to yourself.

Read on to learn about the benefits of NED and how it can help you progress you through your journey, like it's helped me.

Let me break it down further, 

 Never give up (focus and persistence) 
Encourage others (Kindness and shared learning) 
Do your best (Diligence and Excellence) 

 N
I'm all for positive affirmations and cheesy quotes, and actually believe that some of them can get you through. Especially when its during times like these when we're stuck in iso and we feel defeated. We have to remember to take it easy on ourselves. When we feel like giving up, think back to when you hung in there and pushed through, but also remember it's okay to take breaks when you need, or that there's nothing wrong about taking three steps forward, two steps back. Through personal experience, My Fitness journey has gone through a lot of that - giving up, trying again, feeling defeated, slowly trying again.., and i always acknowledge it, even if i never write or post about it, the simple common affirmation of "never give up" has  transformed the way i see myself. When i fell off (my fitness journey) 3 or 4 times in the last 2 years.. i knew i would one day have the courage to get back. I just had to re-adjust my life and find what was holding me back. There were times when i actually found it, but did nothing and ignored it..  but i still kept telling myself "Don't give up, tomorrow try again." - it was all a mental game!!  It's like when you remember how good something tastes or feels, you're determined to buy/taste that meal again. Until February this year again, "Never give up" finally struck the chord i was looking to get back on track!. I can't remember when that exact moment was, but i kept telling myself "never give up" over and over.. until it got me somewhere again. I know i'll  have moments again, but for now, i'm glad i've found motivation for my health again. 

 E
It is important to encourage others while you're on your own fitness journey. It can honestly make you feel good knowing that you've found a common ground with someone going through a similar journey as you. If they've achieved a goal you're looking to get to, then the fact that others have achieved it and got there, shows that it's attainable and possible for you too. :) I think that when you encourage others, you're also encouraging yourself to stay kind and positive. We are our own inner critic, (I'm guilty) so if you struggle with this, maybe encouraging others may help. The great thing about social media is that there are so many communities you can be a part of and friends you can make online which can help encourage you to stay motivated as others share their journeys. 

 D
Something that i apply to pretty much all aspects in my life. When you do your best, that's one step closer to your goals. Remember your best doesn't always have to be 100% either, On some days you may find your best for that day is 50%. Don't be too hard on yourself if you didn't get through everything on your to-do list or complete a full half hour workout like you planned. Acknowledge, that you've done your best and that tomorrow is a new day! 

 In that being said, when you're in the zone and know you're capable and have it in you to achieve 100% but if something is trying to bring you down then take a break if you can't push through. To achieve my best, i usually focus on what i can do, rather than what i can't do and then i try to go back to the "cant's" later. For example, i used to be able to do 10+ push ups in a row.. i stopped exercising for months, so when i tried to do 10 pushups in a row as a minimum attempt, i could only reach 5. every day i went back to do push ups and for awhile my max was still 5. I was getting frustrated and remembered that before, i was doing exercises to help reach that goal of at least 10 push ups. I remembered practicing planks and further strengthening  my arms and core helped. a few more weeks later i was back to being able to do 10 pushups again like i used to. i just had to keep at it and have plenty of patience with myself. 

 Everyone's personal best is not the same. Be patient with yourself and keep with progress until you see the results you want in all aspects in this journey: physically and mentally. 



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Thursday, 24 October 2019

Where have i been ? What's happened from 2017-2019? - The honest truth

3:03 pm 0
I HAVE been exercising but, a lot has changed! Here's an update?

  • I've been busy (yes, that excuse) 
  • There's been a shift in my life/lifestyle and my hormones
  • I've been focusing on advocating and promoting disability on other platforms instead (Sorry) 
  • and the honest answer everyone's been waiting for... i haven't been sticking to my workout schedule as much as i used to, that's not to say over the past few years i've given up on it completely though! 
  • and also ... yes... i've gained some weight back.
Take note that while i haven't been recording my journey, I haven't stopped advocating for CP and fitness since i've last given an update, in fact: 

  • I've been participating with CP research with Western Sydney University, on the effects of physical activity for young adults with CP. - Maybe one day i'll go into detail
  • My workout schedule has been all over the place, it's not as often as it used to be.. but i don't go more than 3 weeks without exercising. I've been marking X's on my Calendar to help motivate me! There are some months where i am more slack than others
  • I Participated in 'Steptember' in September 2016 and September 2019 with my co-workers to raise $ to help people with CP gain access to quality services.
  • Every now and then (on and off) i attend yoga classes
  • I try to  take more walks during lunch (when i can tear myself away from my desk) 
Sometimes "life has got in the way" these last years, and it has been harder to motivate myself in terms of my physical fitness. A lot has slowed back down again. but don't worry, I haven't completely lost my way. it's just the inconsistencies, have stopped me from documenting my own journey. 

but writing this, I hope to continue. 

I still: 
  • Do circuit training 
  • Do bbg workouts
  • have too much activewear
  • know the importance of exercise to my health
  • remember the humble beginnings
  • fit in my workouts sometime on weekends at most
Stay tuned for the next post! I'm back - Ready to go again.


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Tuesday, 19 January 2016

BBG Arm Progress: 2015-2016

3:19 pm 1
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Sunday, 30 August 2015

Just a friendly reminder to P.U.S.H

1:01 am 0
 As i reflect on how far i've come on this journey, I ask myself these questions quite often now:

1)If i wasn't born with Cerebral Palsy, would i even want or consider this goal ?
2) Would this even be a hobby of mine today?
3) Would i even care or be interested?
4)Would i even bother pushing this hard?
5) Would I be striving this hard just to be stronger?

I just know that I'm pushing as hard as ever now, mentally, physically  and emotionally, and not for "perfection" but for improvement and strength and so can everyone else :).

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Thursday, 13 August 2015

exercises using ankle weights

10:33 pm 0



 Have you ever come across an old childhood toy? One that you always knew was there but you would ignore it anyway because you had a better toy?

Well, over the weekend i was reunited with my long lost ankle weights which i bought years ago but don't remember using much. I'm pretty sure i bought them from when i was doing physio exercises when i was younger, but instead of nurturing those ankle weights i was interested in adding more to my beanie baby collection. My dad probably urged me to wear the ankle weights around the house (with obvious and good intentions) but knowing me back then, I would have refused to. However, last weekend i was eager to go and look for them again, and they have been found! Still in good condition :)

I've always had small legs as i was born with short, weak limbs/calves. It's difficult at times to remain stable and build leg muscle (especially on my right leg). However, ever since exercising i've noticed improvement. Whilst my legs still appear small and skinny, when i feel my calf muscles and Achilles,  I can definitely  feel more than just soft wobbly tissue.. and that to me is progress, even if the muscles are small, it's still muscle, right ? I remember after my correctional surgery my calf muscles and Achilles all just felt soft, like there was nothing there. I would jokingly say to my friends "Hey, feel the back of my leg it's all jelly, Haha!"

Even though these ankle weights aren't too heavy they add a new element to my workouts as i can easily incorporate them into my routines. The ankle weights are sand filled and only 2kg but they still add some resistance to my exercises. However, i will most likely progress to heavier ones when i'm able to get my hands on some, but these will do for now :) . What i like about using ankle weights is that i find they help me improve in my form for some exercises assisting with stability, and flexibility yet allow me to challenge my range of motion and muscle control in other exercises.

I've filmed a couple of my favourite exercises incorporating my ankle weights. Some of which were easy, some of which were challenging.  I've listed those exercises again below with some side notes and self critiques when needed.

Exercises in video: 

1) Donkey Kicks

2) Side Leg kicks: Also train the hip muscles. Using the ankle weights for this adds resistance especially when lowering the leg back down. Have to make sure i always have a soft, slow landing rather than just slamming it back down.

3) Leg Raises: My all time favourite exercise! Leg raises have started getting easier for me and adding a dumb bell weight (between my feet) in addition to these ankle weights give me more of a challenge and definitely more resistance. I can only do about 3 sets of 10 reps for these but i love to practice them. Hopefully i'll progress and i'll be able to raise those legs higher! :) It's a challenge making sure my feet don't touch/slam into the mat on the way down. That mind muscle- connection is strong in this one.

4) Hamstring curls: I have trouble gripping the dumb bell weight between my feet this way, so for now i'm just using the ankle weights. I'm trying very hard to control my hips, making sure they don't lift too much.

Music:
Title:Kaleidoscope Dreams
Artist: Miguel

Ankle weights used: 'Guy Leetch Fitness' 2kg




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Tuesday, 4 August 2015

#TransformationTuesday with Snow White

10:42 pm 0
Around this time 2 years ago. ( August 2013) > Today (August 2015) 

Back then I was very insecure with my body. I was making changes but I wasn't doing my best. In the process I didn't hate myself.. But I also didn't love myself because I didn't always put myself first. I was reckless in thinking I could always just hide everything as long as I dressed in layers and baggy clothes. I would always compare myself to others and put myself down. Whilst I naturally still compare myself to others, it's different now. I get inspired and motivated and want to know about their story. The difference between then and now is that I'm more aware and I'm putting myself first and I am interested in learning more about my bodys capabilities as time goes on and I have dreams to push myself further.. I still have a lot to accomplish and look forward to in life, but with a lot that's going on in this world, all the influences, messages and bar of expectations... I find peace, balance, comfort and happiness when my health and fitness is under control and rather than to just ignore it and hide it like I used to, I'm trying my hardest to embrace it all.. My body, my cerebral palsy ect.. I know I always write a lot about my fitness journey but I'm just that passionate about it now.. About progression and getting stronger, healthier, more fit. The only way to go through life Is to move forward and i really don't want to ever revert back to a place where I wasn't at my full potential. So to anyone out there who needs to hear words of encouragement: as harsh as the world can be, know you can always get back up and bounce back. Just tell yourself everyday that you're worthy and you can gain control again if you put your mind to it even if you're just moving slowly. Once you gain control you'll be at peace with yourself and you'll be happy and you will thank yourself for starting. #thinkhappybehappy #snowwhite #bbg #slowandsteady #progress #thenandnow #cerebralpalsy

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Saturday, 25 July 2015

Find your balance !

1:47 pm 0


So a few months ago i tripped and face planted on to concrete and chipped my tooth. (Don't worry- I went to the dentist immediately) I didn't exactly lose my balance, but i was holding my laptop and a few other things in one hand and i thought that i probably could have held my balance if my hands were free and could have prevented that painful fall. So, ever since then i've thought about all the times  i've fallen and lost my balance and decided to include more balance exercises in my workout routines to practice and i wanted to show you some :) even though a lot of it is still far from perfect.

As stated in the video, (Sorry for my very pixelated face in the intro!! :( ) Whether you have Cerebral Palsy or not, I think it's important to improve and practice our balance .. even if  i hate practicing my balance (as it can be difficult and frustrating sometimes) it can generally improve our overall strength,stability and endurance especially when engaging in exercise or any sort of physical activity. I find that practicing balance can also help train that mind-muscle connection and help you focus.

Balance exercises in video
1. Kettle Bell lunges
2. Standing Figure 8's
3. Plank
4. Plank dips
5.Side Plank
6. Donkey Kicks
7. Russian Twist
8. Hold & Balance
9. Single leg step ups
10.Side single leg step ups

Music
Title: New Day 
Artist: Alicia Keys 


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Wednesday, 1 July 2015

SELF CRITIQUE: LEG WORK OUTS. Reflection of outcome

9:54 pm 0

***THIS IS NOT A TUTORIAL***


First off, Very Sorry for the very poor quality. first time i've tried to put something together. The raw files aren't as compressed as they appear here.  However, i will do another one some time soon with better quality.   When i was filming, i wasn't planning on posting anything publicly or make a montage. I only decided after watching the clips over and over again... I initially just wanted to play these back for myself. 


The workouts in the video: 
+ additional Pink annotations in the video (they're abit hard to read SORRY) 

1) Alternative Burpee = 15 reps :  
I Should extend legs more when jumping out

2) Medicine Ball Crab walks = 20 reps : 
Need more control on right foot. It's pointing outwards

3) Medicine Ball Squat and Press = 15-20 reps : 
Oops! doing them too fast & Shifting to the left a bit

4) 180 Degree Jump Squats = 20-24 reps : 
Leaning/Bending too forward

5) Kettle Bell Swing & Squat =15-20 reps

6) X jumps = 30 reps

Music:
Album: Born Sinner Deluxe Edition
Artist: J.Cole


As a way to help myself improve with my exercise routines, I thought i would start recording and self critiquing myself. Although i am not a qualified professional, I have some idea of what i'm doing wrong when i watch these clips back. This is a huge step for me as whenever my workout routines have been recorded they have never been or felt this raw,  someone else would record, or i'd be with someone else in the video and if i was recording myself it would only be a short clip.  Most of the time i hate watching myself because i'm aware of how unco-ordinated i look when working out. However, after looking back at these, i realised again how important it is to  learn from yourself and how important that mind-muscle connection is.

In the past with physio and gait analysis sessions (the study of human motion), i would get recorded countless times walking up and down corridors and other doing physical tests so professionals were able to analyse and study my movements and how my muscles work. Though, as stated above, i really didn't like watching myself because i already knew that i couldn't walk straight and that my muscles were too tight/stiff. Nothing else would sink in for me when watching myself. I thought "studying me must be super boring, but okay.." and so i guess i would just rely on other people telling me what i should do. I''ve had people tell me... "make your mind control your muscles"... I always thought i did (obviously not hard enough)... But it felt different when i was recording myself this time. I felt my muscles were working harder.
 

I'm thankful that i actually decided to record myself even though that wasn't my initial plan (to be honest i took my laptop outside to listen to my J.Cole playlist haha) but then i wanted to see how i looked doing my version of modified Burpees. At first, all i could do was cringe but then i decided to try again and improve on what i just saw. I found myself working harder as i was mentally talking to myself "extend your legs more.. try to imagine yourself as you're moving down."

When i was self critiquing myself, I thought it was weird because i actually felt myself become more aware and i was actually enjoying it... I always knew that i don't move "normally or gracefully" when exercising, but to have a hard look and actually be able to give myself critical feedback(and getting past hating myself on video) rather than say "nah you can't do that exercise properly" just made me learn more about myself... I could actually SEE which muscles tighten when doing a particular exercise, when i'm leaning too much to one side and when my feet turn in or out and take note on how much i actually struggle to squat haha (it looks like im not doing much but when i'm trying to squat, it feels like i'm going lower than i actually am.) I've recorded myself many times and many others also do it too! But now,  i'm more appreciative when watching myself because i'm basically learning more about myself and what i should improve on :)










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Thursday, 25 June 2015

"I Can and I will. End Of Story!": Arm workouts

12:41 am 1

One of my frustrations is my arms. There are times when I'm exercising where my arms just want to give up when i just want to keep going. Sometimes after a couple of reps with weights the muscles tighten and start to have a mind of its own.


June 2015
Although i dread working out my arms, I love seeing an improvement, and feeling muscles i never felt before "come to life" because as cliche' as it sounds, it means i'm getting stronger and it's worth all the frustration and pain.

Below i've listed some of my favourite arm workouts/exercises and alternatives for the ones that kill me haha  - BODY WEIGHT /3-10kgWEIGHTS


PUSH UPS: There are 2 other ways to do a push up other than a classic push up. It took me 2-3 months to be able to do the classic push up! Click here to see the other two.

LAY DOWN PUSH UPS: These are "easy"  but still get my heart racing after 6 reps and turn my arms into jelly. I Try to push for 10-15 each set though!  Here's how.

BICEP CURLS (3-5 kg weights each hand): Sometimes if i have trouble having control in both arms ,  i focus on one arm first , then I alternate. Here's how.

TRICEP EXTENSION WITH WEIGHTS OR MEDICINE BALL: If it helps to stop leaning on one side or if your posture is off, you can also try these sitting down to have more focus in keeping your back straight. Try to control and go slowly Here's how.

TRICEP DIPS:  Love/hate these ha!
The classic way.
Modified/alternative
The advanced way

BOXING: Whether it's with weights , body weight or gloves and pads, Boxing increases the heart rate and is my favourite way work up a sweat and exercise/improve my coordination.

WEIGHTED SQUAT CLEAN & PRESS: Although i find these very challenging the more i use heavier weights, they definitely kill my arms especially when moving up towards the press. It's hard for me to  gain control sometimes. Sometimes i prefer to use a medicine ball rather than weights.  Here's how - (First picture on circuit 2 )

 DUMBBELL LATERAL RAISE: This makes my muscles want to retract back, causing me to lean forward sometimes. Sometimes i do one arm at a time for more control. Here's how.
OR  i find it easier sometimes to extend the raise over my head into a press and  then slowly lower my arms back to starting position.







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Wednesday, 24 June 2015

It's never too late to try again (Back track to 2014)

9:30 pm 0

LEFT: FEB 2014
RIGHT: DEC 2014
 “If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again” – Aaliyah  <3

Starting this blog is just a way for me to keep track with my personal fitness journey as a 22 year old with CP (cerebral palsy - right side hemiplegic). I am NOT an expert nor am i personal trainer or physio therapist. I simply just want to post my personal knowledge and experiences on how i go about keeping active after years of trial and error with trying to remain motivated. I know how annoying and frustrating it can be when your muscles don't always listen. BUT progress is still better than no progress!.

I knew 2014 would be a rollercoaster but I never expected to push myself so much physically. At the beginning of 2014 i just knew i needed an outlet to release emotional and mental stress and needed to unleash negative energy so i turned to exercising and working out. Growing up I never engaged in sports and exercise wasn’t my friend. I would always struggle to keep up with the other kids in PE, not being able to run fast enough. Every time I would visit my physiotherapists they would always encourage me to exercise and recommend home workout programs to strengthen and train my muscles but I always got too frustrated and gave up. Tasks as simple as bending down to pick something up, walking straight, keeping my back straight, jumping and going up and down steps, reminding myself to relax my right hand were some of the things I struggled with prior to my surgeries back in 2009 and 2011. There is no cure to cerebral palsy so I’ll never walk or run as fast as everyone else, I’ll still lose my balance occasionally, I’ll always be awkward when I bend down to pick things up, my calf muscles will always be small and the right side of my body will always be my weakest side having its days when it will have a mind of its own, but thanks to my surgeries now my right heel touches the floor and I don’t get stitches when I walk anymore and I barely feel pain overall. I still get frustrated when I want my right arm to lift a weight over my head or shoulder but the muscle tightens and does something else and when doing lunges my feet would turn in and turn to jelly and I would lean too much on one side feeling like I’m walking on a tightrope.

Back In mid 2013 and I joined the gym. I changed my attitude and I enjoyed it and found it to be the best stress reliever. However, I was still unhealthy as I struggled to change my eating habits and i wasn't always consistent with my gym visits, so of course my one hour sessions were a waste and i felt like i wasn't pushing myself to my full potential. In 2014 i was going through something that was increasing my emotional stress and to block all those negative thoughts and emotions I decided to try again with fitness. Properly committing to  exercise this time allowed me to embrace my cerebral palsy, helped me learn to love and appreciate myself again and find- not only my physical strength, but also my inner strength and confidence again! What started as a stress reliever, eventually developed as a bigger goal to dedicate more time in putting my health first and learning to appreciate and look after myself again. I used exercise and fitness to bounce back and better my overall well-being.  I decided to give the gym a break and try workouts from home again, but this time making my own home workout circuits doing exercises taught from my previous physiotherapists, personal trainers, awesome friends and cheesy workout videos(ha!), whilst using my own equipment.

I made it my goal back in 2014 to try and be more positive and to bounce back, and this was the outcome. It wasn't until i compared overall results that i saw how far i've come and how much i've pushed myself mentally and physically. I never thought I’d make a huge significant progress but thanks to the support of many people and self-discipline, in 2014 I have lost 15 kgs and I made exercise my best friend! Progress is still on going and some of my exercises are still modified but I refuse to stop. I’ll continue to become a stronger and better version of myself especially when it comes to setting myself physical challenges. It’s more than just losing weight for me, after learning the hard way it’s also about finally listening to my physiotherapists and doctors and telling my muscles to wake up and making my ability stronger than my disability by simply keeping active. Kicking Cp's butt!



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