Why?
I tried in the past to join gyms, but I felt so self-conscious due to my size that I usually came away feeling worse than when I went in. In December last year, I hit an all-time low weight wise at 22 stone. I had given up smoking, but taken up eating instead! I decided that I had to do something, so I made the usual new year's resolution to go back to a gym. I decided maybe the exposed gym area wasn’t the best place for me, so I joined a class instead – safety in numbers. That was all fine, but on my second visit the instructor stopped the music and said I wasn’t putting much effort into the exercises.
WHHHAAATTT? I was giving it my all, and at 22 stone I thought I was doing quite well to keep up! I came home and cried in absolute despondency at the thought of going back the next week.
How did you find the DVCC?
Well after the gym incident, my husband recommended the DVCC to me and said I should give it a go. He had heard there were no mirrors and smaller groups, so you don’t have everyone gawping at you. I signed up for the trial and went along. If I am honest, I thought it would be like all the other gyms/classes I had tried before and was expecting the same outcome.
And?
It was so hard at the beginning due to my size. I just felt so useless at all the weights and cardio sections with my baby weights. As for the bit at the end where you stretch, I think a concrete block more bend in it than me.
I didn’t give up though, and I kept coming back three times a week. The difference this time was that the trainers and other people in the classes were so welcoming and encouraging. I felt they genuinely wanted to help me lose weight. When I fell over on week 4 doing a wall stretch instead of laughing at me, the trainer picked me up and got me to try a different move without embarrassing me.
I just wanted to hug that trainer there and then – they will never know the difference they made to my attitude to exercise with just that one act of kindness (well until they read this lol). The other gym goers in my session were also really great and kept me going when I just wanted to drop to the floor and give up. Then, about two months in something happened, and I could suddenly do all the weights, cardio and stretches, even at the size I was – it was a fantastic moment and spurred me on!
So where are you now?
Nine months in I am genuinely a changed woman. I have lost weight and feel great (now 17 st) - I can shop in regular high street clothes shops again which was a massive confidence boost. I still have a lot of weight to lose, but I have built up my stamina and can now keep up with training without taking a day to recover afterward. So much has changed and I have so much more ‘Joie de vivre’ (as they say) than I did before. I love just being able to book online, so I fit it around work and flex when needed. I still hate burpees, but I don’t fear them anymore and take them at my own pace – it’s about my progress and progression not about keeping up with everyone else. I’m a tortoise and proud of it 
😊
What’s next?
I am so happy with what I have achieved this year as for me it was all about doing something which was maintainable in the long run. I recently joined the nutrition programme as well which has made me think about what I am eating and put easy steps in place to change my eating habits. I’m feeling confident, motivated and happy about the year ahead and how much I will improve fitness wise! There is no stopping me now 😊
Start your journey - www.TheDVCC.com/Trials
