Mind & Body Fitness

Note to self: dress more appropriately for the Scottish weather.

Edinburgh Half Marathon training can now commence 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♂️

Last one, promise 🙃 but just look at that pure elation crossing the finish line.

Even with the blistered feet, the lead like legs, and the expletive outbursts.. I am so glad we completed that 15K.

If you want to get into running but think of yourself as someone who ‘can’t run’, please don’t get in the way of your own potential.

Not to be super cringe, but I restarted the couch to 5K program as a complete beginner last July. 6 months on and several chilly training runs later, I genuinely can’t believe I managed to do this today.

So my top bit of advice.. try not to focus on how far you’ve got to go, but instead focus on how far you’ve already come.

And yes, I will be running for the 2023 motivational speaker award 👸🏼

Merry Christmas from me and some of my absolute fav humans ❤️ be merry, be full, be utterly gorgeous.

Season’s greetings from Cornwall 🫶🏼 ..it’s bloody lovely to be back home with the famalam to celebrate the festivities.

Make sure you enjoy the festive period.. not dread it.

It’s hard to stay on track during December, office treats and celebration boxes start making an appearance and it feels like you’re hindering the progress you’ve made. I 100% get it, but remember it’s okay to have food which is good for the soul.

Food should be ENJOYED, without dictating your life. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating eating chocolate for breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day but at the same time make sure you incorporate BALANCE into your life.

Enjoy the Christmas holidays WITHOUT GUILT, be present with your loved ones instead of worrying about calories.

Sore leg = perfect excuse not to train and eat my way through Edinburgh 🙂

Swipe to see an overly happy individual about to devour a marshmallow

7 months later and 18KG lighter.

I have been slowly chipping away since Easter.. and what a journey it’s been so far. My weight has fluctuated quite a lot during my 20’s, especially during the COVID period. So at the start of the year, I was the biggest I’ve ever been and I just didn’t recognise my own body anymore.

Yes, I did want to lose weight for aesthetic purposes but also to feel fitter and healthier. I wanted to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and break free from my binge eating and restrictive eating tendencies. So I approached this weight loss journey a bit differently to previous attempts..

✨ I didn’t have a set goal in terms of weight - this meant I wasn’t fixated on the scales. I just wanted to reach a point where I felt comfortable and confident.

✨ I allowed myself to enjoy social events and holidays - because I didn’t put a deadline on it, I didn’t feel guilty about eating out or ‘going off track’. I just made sure to refocus my energy once the festivities were over.

✨ I exercised for enjoyment not punishment - instead of forcing myself to do workouts I hated because I thought I’d burn more calories, I followed a training plan that I was excited to do.

✨ I was a lot more patient with my progress - I didn’t want this to be a quick process, because I knew I wouldn’t be able to sustain it. So I didn’t let the fluctuations knock me.

Don’t get me wrong, I still have body hang ups which I’d experience no matter my shape. But for now, I am very proud of what I’ve achieved 💕

Also, a shoutout to for being a very understanding and supportive coach throughout the whole process.

Landed back in Edinburgh 🖤

And tbh it was SO good to have a weekend away from tracking food and training. Obvs I love the gym and I have been enjoying obtaining a healthier lifestyle.. but after 6-7 months of mostly being in a calorie deficit, it was refreshing not to think about calories and protein intake.

Don’t get me wrong, tracking food is a great tool to help you achieve your goals and it’s definitely helped me on my journey. But sometimes it’s good to switch off for a bit.

It’s now time for me to reset and refocus, ready for the lead up to Christmas.

I am checking out ✈️

I’m going to make an effort to be less active on my phone whilst I’m away in Krakow this weekend.. I’m normally glued to it due to work purposes and general nosiness 👀

But it’s good to switch off and disconnect sometimes. So I will not be responding to any work queries, but I will probably continue providing foodie content haha. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend 🙌🏼💕

Self care Sunday 💕🌤

Sunday’s are my favourite day.. and here’s why;
✨ I always make sure I am not working on a Sunday, therefore I can rest and dedicate some time for me.
✨ I can reflect on the week; what went well, what I am happy to leave behind & what I will be adopting in the upcoming week.
✨ I catch up with my family and friends, making me feel connected to those I love.
✨ I normally put my feet up in the afternoon and watch a movie (a hobby I truly love) and get to spend it with Ols.
✨ I made this Sunday even better by treating myself to Charlotte Tilbury and bubble tea.

Enjoy your Sunday peeps ✌🏼

Hey team, I just wanted to jump on here and reiterate something.. it’s totally okay if you have not lost the weight you gained during the lockdowns.

Over the past year or so, I have had a lot of people come to me and discuss their weight gain which (predominantly) happened during the winter lockdown and their frustration with the fact it hasn’t shifted.

I have been in the exact same position, and from what I’ve experienced.. so have a lot of people. So you are definitely not alone.

Let’s not forget how difficult that lockdown was, how isolating it made us feel, and how much our mental wellness was effected. For me personally, my main source of happiness was either baking yummy treats or going out for takeaway baked treats.. that coupled with limited activity, it was unsurprising that my weight crept up.

I assumed that when the gyms reopened, the weight would just ‘fall off’ because I was back exercising. It did not. I also struggled to say ‘no’ to anything; to meals, to night outs, to drinks and social events, because we hadn’t been allowed to do anything for so many months.

I found it really tough to maintain a routine and adopt healthy habits, because I just wanted to make the most of being able to do fun things again. So please don’t worry if you’ve felt the same 💕

It’s only over the past 5 months that I have been able to implement changes to my lifestyle which has helped me return to my pre lockdown weight. So please reach out if you need to chat, or if you need some further guidance and help.

So So PROUD 👏🏼🖤

10 weeks down and the run club has gone from running 1 minute intervals to running 30 minutes continuously.

It just proves that you are so much more capable than the box you put yourself in.. especially if you consider yourself a ‘non runner’.

The team have done amazingly well and should feel so happy with their achievement.

Happy 2nd Birthday to .f 🖤

I’m so happy I get to be a part of this amazing community, and I can’t wait to watch it grow and thrive.

BODY TYPES SHOULD NOT BE FASHION TRENDS.

This is not a hate post about Kim Kardashian or her body, but as a hugely influential celebrity she is a prime example of drastic body transformation.

Previously Kim K was known for her curvaceous figure, snatched waist, and big bum.. which was most probably enhanced by surgery therefore making it unattainable for the average person.

After losing 16lbs in 3 weeks for her met gala look, Kim has continued to lose a lot of weight quickly with rumours that she has removed her Brazilian bum lift procedure.

Don’t get me wrong, Kim is more than entitled to do whatever she wants with her own body. I also have no issue with using plastic surgery to boost self esteem and confidence. Kim is just a perfect example of how quickly body type trends actually change, and how much the media can impact beauty standards.

So I just want to reinforce that certain body types should not be ‘on trend’.. it shouldn’t matter if you have a small bum or a big b***y, a flat chest or big b***s, a thigh gap or thiccc legs, hips dips or an hourglass figure. Whatever your shape, you are bloody beautiful and don’t need to change a thing to fit the ‘beauty standard’.

Such a good day at attending the Simplified Strength Seminar 📚💪🏼

Thank you to .mcinroy for delivering a load of knowledge and coaching cues.. and for putting up with us.

Going back to my fav holiday destination, Cornwall 📍

This is not an ad, but if I’m selling it to ya.. good haha.

It’s okay to take a rest day 🥱

I have 4 training days in the week, and I usually like to get them done early on because I know when the weekend comes around my motivation will be minimal.

This week has been super busy, and I had planned to get a session in during my day off on Thursday.. but I felt so drained and tired, the thought of the gym literally felt like a chore.

So I decided to have a day away from the gym instead of forcing myself to train, I met a friend for a coffee and pastry.. and I am absolutely a okay with my life choices haha.

Can we just 🙌🏼

My client .dignan_xo looks INCREDIBLE. I don’t think Ibiza was ready for her haha.

But in all seriousness, Leeann wanted to feel good in her own skin and have the confidence to wear a bikini on holiday. At first she was a little apprehensive about lifting weights and becoming ‘too muscular’, but she soon realised that weight training lead to b***y gains and definition.

I am so proud of her and what she has achieved 💕 Leeann has really committed herself to the process and put the work in.

First week completed at .f and I have loved every minute of it 💕

Changing jobs can always feel a bit daunting, especially when you’ve made such great friends at your workplace. But I feel SO lucky that everyone at Project Strength & Fitness has been so welcoming. It really does feel like a big family.

It’s also been great to introduce run club and build into the timetable, so thank you everyone who came along 💕

Client testimonial from the one and only, my lovely mother 💕

I have been training mum virtually for a year now and even with all the chit chat we have, she has done an amazing job.

The great thing about virtual sessions is that we can continue to train despite being in different locations.

Maybe I’m biased, but I’m super proud of the progress she has made.

Just a little bit about what I offer..

⭐️ 1-1 Personal Training - this is an in person service, where I take you through an hour long training session at Project Strength & Fitness. I am there to support you, spot you, and chit chat with you.

⭐️ Virtual Training - this is through video call and can be done from anywhere. The sessions normally last 30-45 minutes and can be completed with or without equipment. I’ll be there on the other end of the screen to check form and technique.

⭐️ Online Programming - I will design a training program for you to complete during your own time. You will receive a weekly check in to see how you’re getting on.

If you want further information on any of my services, please drop me a message 💕

Edinburgh Pride 🏳️‍🌈

That’s a wrap, 31 months spent at 💙

Today marks my last day at The Gym Group, and even though I’m super excited to be moving on to new opportunities I will be leaving with a heavy heart.

Moving up to Edinburgh in 2019 was a really daunting time; I had no friends or family here and I was so anxious about being lonely in a big city.

I feel extremely fortunate that I found a job which instantly welcomed me in.. (my interview with Nicki literally felt like a catch up haha). Since then I have made lifelong friends with colleagues and members, so I am forever grateful for my wee Scottish famalam.

Thank you to everyone for welcoming me in (especially with me being English and all 🤷🏼‍♀️). I won’t be a stranger, so please don’t worry, you won’t miss me too much.

💙

You heard me right folks, I am now offering online personal training services 💻

What does this actually mean?
▪️You will receive a bespoke programme designed towards your goals and previous gym experience
▪️There is a weekly check in, where we can discuss how you have found your training and any barriers you might’ve faced
▪️You can contact me throughout the week to receive coaching points and guidance on your lifts and form
▪️You can chose whether to have a calorie goal and guidance on nutrition

Why online coaching?
▪️You don’t have to be in the same gym, city, or country as me to receive my services
▪️Maybe you feel a bit lost in the gym and would benefit from a program, some accountability, and coaching points
▪️It is cheaper than face to face personal training

If you are interested, follow the link on my bio to fill out an online coaching questionnaire.

🤍2 WEEKS TO GO🤍

I start as a coach at .f from the 27th June, helping to deliver small group PT sessions and fitness classes.

I will continue to train my clients and offer my own personal training services, so if you are interested in signing up drop me a message.

What does the move mean for new clients..?
🖤 no extra fee - you don’t need to pay a membership to attend a personal training session
🖤 free parking & easy access to public transport - there are 2 bus stops located just by the gym
🖤 independently run gym - which means there is more equipment free in comparison to a commercial gym
🖤 community space - Project S & F offers a welcoming environment, which helps reduce gym anxiety and intimidation

Any questions, just give me a message and I would love to chat with you 🤍

Let’s talk about ‘fear food’ 🍦

The term ‘fear food’ is used to describe certain foods a person is afraid to eat, this could be due to negative thoughts and feelings associated with the nutritional content.

It could be an individual item or a whole food group.. common examples are:
🍬sweet treats like chocolate, cake, biscuits, ice cream, and sweeties.
🍞 carby foods like bread, pasta, pizza, and cereals.
🍽 meals out.
🍹 alcoholic cocktails.

Those suffering tend to steer clear of these foods to avoid experiencing guilt and shame. In the context of an eating disorder, the individual may relate these foods to gaining weight and triggering a binge episode.

Therefore they may put in place a restrictive diet and avoid social gatherings in case they encounter fear foods.

Overcoming fear foods can be a lengthy process and takes a lot of work, strength, and courage from the individual. So be patient with your recovery, and be proud of how far you’ve already come.

Holiday mode has well and truly been activated ✌🏼🐚🌊

Being self employed is so rewarding but also so demanding. You worry about losing clientele, making sure you earn enough money to pay bills, avoiding sickness so you don’t have to take unpaid leave.. which means you end up running on empty because all your energy goes into your business.

I was anxious about taking time off for a holiday, especially after some of my clients and myself were unable to come into the gym due to illness. And let’s not even talk about covid and the s**t show that was (and still is).

BUT some time to switch off is exactly what I needed to feel better in myself both physically and mentally. It doesn’t need to be a holiday abroad, it doesn’t need to be weeks away, but a bit of time for yourself is a necessity.

I HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS 👀🤭

I’ve had an amazing 2 and half years at , and I am so grateful for everything I have gained from working there. I’ve met some amazing colleagues, members and clients who are now some of my closest friends, but it’s time for a little change.

Don’t worry though, I’m not moving far.. literally down the road actually. As of June 27th I will be based at .f which I am super excited for, especially as I’ll still be able to train my amazing clients and take on any new ones in a private gym facility.

So all you lovely Cam Toll members, make sure you see me in the gym and book into my classes over the next month 🥰

I wasn’t sure how to write this post because it feels like a big reveal, but I’m sure to most of you it won’t come as a surprise. However I have not officially put it in writing yet, but now I feel ready to share with you that I have been suffering with an eating disorder for several years now.

I was unintentionally diagnosed about a year and a half ago by my counsellor. What I mean by this is, we were discussing other issues when I mentioned that I had a really big problem with body image and food. We then discussed how my relationship with food was really unhealthy, and how my internal conversation was toxic.

After the session I was in a bit of shock, I knew my self loathing wasn’t good but I didn’t think it was ‘that bad’ to qualify me as having an eating disorder (ED). I also didn’t feel like I looked like someone who was suffering with an ED, I wasn’t too thin and I wasn’t too overweight. But when I reflected on my eating habits and the times when I have been excessively restrictive or the times when I resort to binging, I realised that this has been in the pipeline for a long time.

I spoke to my doctor who confirmed I had an ED and referred me to an ED clinic. Unfortunately I had to wait 6 months to speak to a specialist, because there is such high demand for their services. Eventually I did receive help which has helped me reduce the impulse to binge eat or emotionally eat.

The journey was not easy, and it is far from over. I have really struggled with this diagnosis, and I still do not feel happy within my own body.

I felt like I had failed, I felt like a fraud in my job, and I felt really embarrassed. But I wanted to put this out there (officially), for those who may be going through the same. I know my ED was perpetuated by lockdown, which allowed my binge eating to thrive and I know that others have experienced this too.

All I would say is that anorexia, binge eating, bulimia does not have a ‘look’, so don’t be like me and assume you aren’t ‘bad enough’ to get help. Everyone I have spoken to along my journey has been so supportive, so please speak out if you do need help 💕