Changing your lifestyle gradually

When you look at Fitgirlcode, I can imagine that you will think that we are all incredibly fit & healthy girls who have been like this for ages ;) I'll be honest with you, I am not that fit. I do not have visible abs (yet ;) ), I am not going for a long run at 6am (yet?), and I will never reject a piece of chocolate cake (no, really, never). I am, however, getting healthier and on my journey to becoming as fit as I want to be. Changing your lifestyle does not have to happen overnight.

Before Aranka, the founder of Fitgirlcode, came on my path a couple of years ago, I practiced Taekwondo once a week and ate average-ish. Breakfast always consisted of two slices of bread with butter and chocolate sprinkles - don't judge me, it's a Dutch thing. I always ate bread at lunch and tried to eat a healthy dinner at night, while snacking (unhealthily) in between all these meals. Sometimes I tried to change my habits by eating more fruit or drinking more water, but nothing really ever stuck with me, which I personally didn't mind that much because to be honest: I was not, and am not, overweight.

It was only gradually, from the moment I started contributing to Fitgirlcode, that small changes were made in my lifestyle. For example, I quit drinking sugary juices and committed myself to water. Then I switched my chocolate sprinkles to eating oatmeal in the morning. Eventually I signed myself up for the Ladiesrun in Rotterdam and I started running every weekend with one of my best friends. If you would have told me before joining Fitgirlcode that I would be working out at least 3 times a week and lifting weights, I would have probably peed my pants laughing.

My point is: everyone can do it. Excuses like "I don't have time to work out" or "I really don't like sports" are bullshit. With all the things I have going on in my life, I would love to have an 8th day in the week to get everything done, but I somehow still manage to squeeze in 2-3 serious work outs (which I like!) per week. You don't have to radically change your lifestyle and transform every habit you have - you can start making small changes and eventually you will find yourself feeling healthier and more energetic than ever.

I promise you here and now that you will not regret it. I used to struggle with some problems with my digestive system for years, but since I have been living healthier and working out, they have vanished completely. Often during the day I had a big afternoon dip and I got really sleepy - guess what, that's not a problem anymore. There are so many benefits to exercising and eating healthier.

Now if you will excuse me, I am going to release all this new-found energy into my 4th work out this week! ;) You should go and do the same!