After 4 weeks of eating smart and jumping on Tempo’s reformers at London E8 three times a week, my New Year Challenge is officially over. It’s hard to believe that just a month ago I was still looking at any sort of exercise with serious suspicion!

The last four weeks of regular Pilates at Hackney E8 has helped me lose some weight (2.3 kg if you’re wondering… that’s about 5lbs), especially from around my tummy area. Considering that my diet was not particularly restrictive and basically only stressed a lot of fruit and veggies, that’s a pretty solid result!

Generally speaking I physically feel a lot better, I sleep better, and I have loads more energy during the day. I’ve definitely gotten a little toned throughout my body, it’s nothing huge, but considering what I was starting from (non-existent) I couldn’t be happier with the result.

However, as much as I had an open mind, I have to admit that those first couple of days of following my new diet from Tempo Pilates instructor and nutritionist Jane saw more than a few sceptical grimaces, and required some personal tweaks. Yet, my new way of eating has hugely cut cravings for unhealthy snacks, and never allowing myself to get to ravenous-monster-mode means that I’m rarely tempted to reach for quick-fix food (pizza pizza and more pizza).

Transforming my diet into a sustainable, realistic lifestyle change is the biggest challenge now. But I think balancing out those tasty restaurant meals with plenty of nutritious food at home is the best way for me to hold onto both my health and happiness.

What I’m most thankful for is the chance to look at things from a different perspective. I mentally shifted from considering exercise as a strange, tortuous thing that people who I can’t relate to whatsoever inflict upon themselves (have you ever look at the face of a jogger… it’s hard to believe that they are having a good time). To be honest, now I don’t see what the big deal was. Tempo Pilates at London E8 is never boring, always challenging, and basically… fun.

This may be my final blog post as part of the New Year Challenge, but it ain’t all over yet! Tempo Pilates has asked me to continue blogging for another month as I continue to take reformer Pilates classes, so you’ll be hearing even more from my further adventures in the land of health.

Will I keep up the 3-times-a-week fitness schedule with Tempo Pilates reformer classes? YES! Will I do my first EVER push-up? Hope so! Will I be tempted by a burger?

Yes… yes I will, and I will eat it. Sorry to ruin the ending.