Happy New Year Frock Friends!
Thank you so much for reading in 2014, for the emails, comments, Facebook natter and Instagram love.
I’m grateful for this little community we’re building and hope that you continue to find inspiration and ideas here that help you create your own healthy living project, whatever that looks like for you.
I’ve borrowed these year in review questions from my bloggy friend Karin (who got them from Maxabella Loves).
1. What word do you think best summed up 2014?
Change. This was the year of change.
My body, constantly changing with the weight loss and developing shape and muscle.
I changed jobs and became self-employed.
I moved house.
I started blogging; taking my weight loss journey public.
So much change.
2. What did you do for the first time this year?
- I bought a bike. And rode it.
- I wore a dress without sleeves and wore trousers for the first time in forever.
- After much contemplation, I started this blog.
- I stripped down to my bathers for a photo shoot with New Idea.
- I wore a size 12 dress.Well, it says 12 on the tag but is more like a 14-16. But I’ll roll with it. I was last in a size 12 in my early teens.
- I ran. And it was okay. It was more than okay. It felt good.
3. What is one thing that happened that will have lasting consequences?
After 15 years in a corporate career as a marketing and communications consultant I took a leap of faith and became self-employed.
4. Was there anything you wish you’d done differently? Why? How?
No. I don’t think there’s much point in wishing I’d done anything differently.
You live and you learn.
A big part of losing 40kg has been about reflection and learning.
5. Do you have a favourite moment from the year? What made it special?
Hitting 40kg down. It was a major, hard won milestone.
It was special because, well… 40kg!
6. What lessons has 2014 taught you about yourself? About others?
That I am resilient.
My weight loss progress was slow this year (well, slower than the year before); between a new type of pill to help even out the hormonal changes that came with losing the first 30kg (making it harder to lose weight), the challenges I have with plantar fasciitis and the fact that after losing the first 30kg in nine months my body was less compliant about shedding fat – it wasn’t easy.
I also, (sometimes), had a more relaxed approach to my healthy living project; a little too much brunch perhaps. Chris reminded me often on occasion that even though it’s no longer a life or death situation, (as it was when I started at 120.2kg), that I still need to think of it as one to continue progressing, because the lower the numbers, the harder it gets.
What I do try to keep in mind is that while it *seems* as though my weight loss has slowed down, losing 1kg in 80kg is a much bigger loss proportionally compared to losing 1kg of 120kg when I started out.
Despite all of that, and the general ups and downs of life, I kept at it and finished the year 12kg lighter than when I started.
Resilience and will. I learned that I can rely on these.
What I’ve learned about others? That people are more generous with their time, energy and kindness than I would ever have expected. I’ve learned that if you ask for help, you get help and so much more. As my weight has come down so too has my fierce independence and self reliance.
This weight loss and healthy living thing? It takes a village. I’m grateful for my village.
7. How will lessons from 2014 change the way you approach 2015?
I’m approaching the New Year with optimism, an open mind and open heart.
I’ve put in quite a lot of work in the last two years, making epic changes in my life. I think 2015 is the year to be joyous and embrace this.
8. What do you most want to do in 2015?
- Lose the last 18-20kg. I’m not setting a deadline about when this might happen, but I would like for it to happen in 2015.
- See the first cohort of people successfully complete The Healthy Living Project, the 12 week weight loss and wellness program that Chris and I created. I’m so excited about what they will be able to achieve with our help.
- Help and inspire others who desperately want to make a change but don’t know where to start, through this blog.
- Some kind of event; an obstacle course, a triathlon – I need to do some research. A big scary goal, far outside my comfort zone.
- Blog a lot more.
- Continue to develop my strength and fitness, and find out more about what my body has the capacity to do.
9. What do you most want to change about yourself? The world?
I’ve done so much changing already this year. Right now, I’d just like to get used to those changes.
I’d also like to manage my emails better!
The world? It’s a big ask, but if what I put out into the world about healthy living and sharing my story helps a few people make positive changes, I’d be very happy with that.
10. What one word do you hope will sum up what you hope to achieve in 2015?
Settle.
Not settle as in settle for second best, or settle as in close off a deal.
But to just be. Take a breath and settle into the choices and changes I’ve made.
I’ve been back in Brisbane for two years now after almost a decade in the UK. It’s been a big adjustment. One of the hardest. I still get ‘homesick’ and miss my friends and the life I had there.
In my moments of escapism, I browse Guardian Jobs to see what’s on offer in London.
But that’s not what I want, really.
Brisbane is a great city to live a healthy lifestyle in (and… needless to say, London is not).
I’ve met new people and made great friends through my weight loss journey, both online and offline.
I’ve become self-employed, a goal I’ve had for several years.
I have lovely friends and it’s good to have family around.
I’m winning at this healthy living thing.
So I want to just be. Enjoy the great life I’ve created and the work I’ve done.
Settle in and enjoy it.
Settle.
Here’s to 2015. I’m excited about what’s next.