For three years my new year’s resolution was to do the 12-week BodyBlitz challenge and I have finally completed it. In fact, I have accomplished three of my previous new year’s resolutions this year, which included aiming to be healthier in the kitchen, to do a triathlon and of course, the 12-week challenge.

This year was different than the previous years of unfulfilled resolutions because I had a beautiful baby boy in November last year and I really wanted to lose my baby weight. At the same time, I was sick of having a lack of self-confidence and wanted the best body I have ever had.

So when Jai was 8 weeks old I said to myself, ‘This is it, I am going to begin’. I was off to a great start – I was going to the gym frequently to attend classes, going for long walks with bubs and eating really well. Mind you, the grocery bill went up quite a bit because it is more expensive to eat healthier, but worth every cent.

I kept a diary for the first six weeks of the challenge, recording what I ate and the exercise I had done. I aimed to try something different every week, which ranged from walking with a friend to swimming, riding my new road bike that I got for my birthday in February and doing triathlons, which was my biggest accomplishment.

I had aimed to lose eight kilos, but more importantly I just wanted to be fit again.

About six weeks into the challenge, I started my business again, which meant I had less time for exercise, but nevertheless, I was keen to get back into it. Between looking after Jai, exercising and working, I was very busy, but even now I find the more exercise I do, the more motivated I become.

Another challenge I had was getting up at 5.30am to go for a bike ride, but I had to get up early before Jai woke up and my partner left for work. Once I started doing this I realised it was actually a common trend in town, so this made it feel like I was doing the right thing and I also enjoyed it.

I had fantastic support from my partner, which is absolutely vital when you have a little baby. He encouraged me the whole way and always gave me compliments, which only made me more motivated. Also, having our baby boy has given me so much drive to be successful and to be a great role model.

I have loved what this challenge has done for my figure, my fitness, my confidence and more importantly, my family. We managed to find a healthy lifestyle that was easily maintainable, and we don’t want to change it, even after finishing the challenge.

I love that I fit back into my skinny jeans and even bought smaller sized jeans for the coming winter. I used to hate winter so much because I never felt confident in jeans or leggings, but this year will be different. I will be flaunting what I now have!

I now look in the mirror and windows of shops and like what I see, and I love shopping for new clothes. Leading up to the final week of the challenge, I was putting money aside so that I could go out and buy a nice new outfit and have a weekend away with my partner, baby-free. We did this and spent a lovely weekend enjoying each other’s company and making new challenges for ourselves, like taking up kite boarding! It sounds like so much fun and we can’t wait to begin.

I look forward to the future every day now. I aim to start my own personal training business by the end of the year. Life is what you make of it and I have always believed in this philosophy. c