So what happened over the last few months? Well I'm sure most of you know I went to Thailand for my charity challenge. It was a real eye opener and when I got back to England I was still cross fitting regularly but I seemed to just care a little less about what I was eating. I had unknowingly during my time in the jungle, not seen a single overweight person. It didn't strike me until driving back towards Bangkok when bigger people started appearing in coffee shops with their iPads, lattes and snacks.
But the people I had spent my time in the jungle with were slim and ate a diet full of noodles and rice - 2 things which I had largely avoided for the best part of the year. These people live hugely active lifestyles, eat little meat and a lot of veg. 
One of the biggest reasons (if not the biggest reason) obesity is increasing at such an alarming rate is due to the sheer volume of cabohydrates being consumed everyday in the western diet. When the carbohydrates are not used as energy, they are stored as fat. Most of us sit on our butts throughout the day due to our jobs, using minimal energy, whereas the folk I had spent my time in Thailand with were active. I guess when I got back I thought it would be ok to start eating these things again as long as I was still crossfitting...
I was also pretty miserable when I got back from my trip, I started drinking quite a lot too. Ok. I know that sounds bad but I was so unhappy in my job I guess I just wanted to make sure I was having fun out of my work hours. Basically I enjoyed my summer and I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about what I was eating (or drinking) which is ok from time to time. I didn't beat myself up about it - that's not going to change anything!
Then. Praise The Lord. I got a new job, an awesome one that I love. And to cut a long story short, I moved into my boyfriends family home, am not in charge of what I have for dinner anymore, don't have the space to do all the food preperation I was doing before and have been to crossfit once since I started my new job. I was partly scared of joining a new gym but I went and I realised just how much I missed it - but excuses have stopped me from signing up officially.
Lately it's been catching up with me, I don't feel the same way about myself as I used to. My confidence has taken a knock, I don't feel strong anymore (which I loved) and I can feel the weight sticking to me. I don't know exactly how much weight I've put on because I don't weigh myself... My clothes still fit fine but I can just feel it you know?
I know this might seem like an obscure time to start exercising but there's no time like the present. At least if I'm working out I can feel less crap whilst I over indulge over the Christmas period. I am watching what I eat again but my goals have changed pretty drastically. I no more aspire to look like this:
I have respect for anyone that has the dedication to put the time and money into achieving that don't get me wrong but that isn't me. I just want to feel good about myself again. I want to be eating the right foods, getting all my nutrients and vitamins and I want to feel strong again. In essence, I want to be healthy.
I am going back to crossfit this week no matter what. It's in writing now so there's no turning back!
I'm very excited to have signed up for my next charity challenge. I shall be venturing unto the jungle yet again, this time for the Sumatran Orangutan Society in September 2014. This trip looks to be tougher than Thailand was with 6 days trekking in much more mountainous terrain and more intense heat (Indonesia is much closer to the equator). More details to come on that though :)
I basically wanted to check in and let my few lovely readers know that I'm back.
I'll write a proper blog this week, ( I have lots I want to talk about!) but for now enjoy the rest of your Sunday evening :-)
Peace
Minnie
Xxx
