If you’d have told me at the beginning of this year that I’d be sitting here in November weighing less than 10 stone, running regularly, and eating quinoa for lunch, I’d have laughed you off of the internet.

‘Losing weight’ has been something I’ve wanted to do for years, especially after putting on a fair few stone during university. But there’s always been something stopping me. You know how it is: you come up with so many excuses, from not having enough time to having no clue where to start. It can’t just be me, right?! Over the last 6 years I’ve tried so many times to lose weight, but I’ve always given up after a few days and gone back to my sofa-lounging, microwave-eating lifestyle. It always just seemed so much easier.

screen-shot-2016-11-20-at-17-09-12Me, before I lost weight, in Copenhagen, February 2016

Because of this, I’m a firm believer that there is a time and a place for everything. Over the last 6 years, I wasn’t in the mindset to lose weight and get healthy. But when my friend offered me a place on her nutritionist programme K-Plan – and I started to become more aware of how my weight could affect my future health – I knew that it was now or never. Something clicked inside me, and I knew that this time I would stick to it.

And I did. With someone checking in on me a few times every week, I was faced with having to take responsibility for my actions. It was sort of like being back at school and having targets to reach – I’ve always been an overachiever and someone who likes to rise to a challenge, so I really threw myself into things.

beforeafter-copy

In the beginning, I didn’t want to disappoint my friend, and I wanted to be a good candidate – after all, any success I had was HER success too. Then as time went on, I didn’t want to fail and let myself down. And as time went on even more, I realised that I could do this, and that I felt better about myself than I have for a long time. And, before long, I actually realised I had grown out of my bad habits! I no longer craved slabs of chocolate and carb-y pasta dishes. I just wanted quinoa and salad and fruit and all the water I could get my hands on.

All in all, I’ve gone from 13 stone 7 pounds (85.7kg) to 9 stone 10 pounds (61.7kg). In clothes sizes, I’ve gone from a size 14-16, to a size 10-12.screen-shot-2016-11-20-at-17-15-40And now I’m constantly having to buy new clothes because everything keeps falling down. Fun times.

Win a Bundle of Health and Fitness Goodies!

My reasoning for doing this giveaway is simple. It took the action of just one person to transform my mindset from ‘obese couch potato’ to ‘healthy lass who’s got her lifestyle a bit more balanced.’

I may not be the healthiest person in the world – I spend way too much time in front of my computer screen, and I’m not giving up my tea for anyone in the world – but I feel like I’m equipped with the knowledge to move forward and make healthier choices.

If, through this competition, I can help even just one person transform their life, then this has all been worth it!

One lucky person will win a bundle of goodies which includes:

bundle2

This giveaway has got everything you could need to kickstart your new lifestyle: passes to the swankiest gyms in town (read my review of my local Virgin Active if you don’t believe me!), plus some top-notch audio equipment to keep you motivated. (I reviewed the KitSound audio sportsband earlier this week – read what I thought about it here.)

vippasses

headphones

And, of course, everyone needs some treats in their life, even if they are watching what they eat. The wonderful iQ chocolate and Urban Fruit provide uber-delicious snacks that help you get your sweet fix! See, don’t say I don’t spoil you.

urbanfruit

chocolate

To enter this competition, all you have to do is enter via the Rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • This competition is open to UK residents only
  • The competition closes on Sunday 4th December at midnight. The winner will be chosen at random using Rafflecopter
  • The winner will be notified via email within 7 days of the competition closing and will have 14 days to respond with a valid postal address before a new winner will be selected
  • Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent

GOOD LUCK!