May 2015 I decided to do something amazing.
something which took some persuasion from my husband, something I never envisaged myselfdoing, and something which has turned me into the person I never thought I’d be.Something which would drag me out of a deep, dark, crippling depression, help me reign in my often
irrational anxiety, give me confidence, boost my self-esteem and self-worth, and say goodbye to that
shy girl, with zero self-esteem, who would avoid social situations and panic when faced with a
situation which required social interaction.
A person who wanted to live in a bubble, and hide away
from the world.
I know you’ll be wondering at this point what it is that I did to completely turn my life around? Take
a massive financial gamble and I’m now a millionairess, sat in the blazing sun in my luxurious
Caribbean Crib as I type this? Land myself some high flying job? Sell all my worldly possessions and
embark on a backpacking adventure?
The answer is non of those. I didn’t do anything which would typically project me from a mundane
life to living the dream. I simply went along to an exercise class.
I saw a class advertised on Facebook, went along the following night after a lot of persuasion from
my husband, paid £4, and worked out for an hour. I went again the following week and almost a year
and a half on, my life has gradually changed forever.
It was a Clubbercise class. A dance workout class perfect for ladies, like me, who haven’t been along
to any classes before because they feel a little self-conscious, as it is taught in a darkened room.
With disco lights, glow sticks, and to club classics.
Over the months I could feel my confidence gradually begin to grow. I’d find myself really making the
effort to talk to other ladies in the class (which wasn’t easy for me, thanks to that nagging anxiety
telling me nobody is interested in my boring banter).
After about two months I decided to go to the Thursday class. Then I decided to really go for it, and
stay for the second hour. Then I realised that lazy Sundays were a waste, so I spend them raving too.
But it isn’t just Clubbercise I have in my life. I went on to train with a PT, then found I felt brave
enough to join the local gym, where I now go 2-3 mornings a week.
I’ve also just recently took up Kettlecise, which I do once a week. Infact I went straight from Kettles
to Clubbercise last night. I figured there was a class not too far away, so why not go along for a quick
fix.
But one of the best things which has come out of this lifestyle change and the decision to try
something new, is the friends I have made. We don’t just see each other during class, but after
discovering our love for the occasional Prosecco, we see each other outside class too. I’ve truly
made friends for life.
So you’ll probably assume I’m super slim? I’m not. I don’t have a perfectly tight flat stomach, or killer
abs, or the perfect behind. I’m not aiming for any of those. Although I do eat a healthy diet, I still like
to enjoy a big bar of chocolate and find it hard to say no to a piece of cake. But what I am, is strong.
I’m a the person I have always wanted to be And through exercise, I’ll continue to push myself, and
I’m confident that this person is here to stay.
Exercise changed my Life!
By
Louise Sharp
