Say hello to our new blogger : Sarah Evelyn
Hello! I’m Sarah. I’m so excited to be part of the #FITGIRLCODE family. If you missed my previous posts, catch up on my delicious clean orange cake or 50 ways to get more sleep.
As a kid, I used to hate hiking on family holidays. So much effort, for a view! I’m not sure, with all my moaning and grumbling, quite how my parents persevered, but they did. Now, of course, I’m so glad that we used to hike together while on holiday and that we saw so much and were fit and healthy. (If I’ve never said it before – thanks mom and dad!)
I come from a very active family, a family who all push themselves to achieve their goals whether it may be long runs in the dessert, that extra rep in the gym, or yes, the additional mountain peak. We like to eat a lot too – (usually) healthy food, with regular treats.
I was never a skinny kid, as I always had tons of muscle and puppy fat. From a very young age I loved to swim. Clumsy on land, I felt far more graceful in the water, although in the large scheme of things, I wasn’t very fast. I was quick enough to go to a great coach and attend provincial trials every year, to play first team water polo at school and compete as captain of my swimming team, but not fast enough to place anywhere in those trials.
I was lucky then, that my coach and some of her swimmers thought I’d be pretty good at long distance swimming. When they asked me if I wanted to swim to Robben Island (the island off Cape Town on which our national hero, Nelson Mandela) was jailed for many years, I said sure. I was 11. So began many years of happy training, in pools and in the sea. My mom has an incredible amount of patience while she drove me everywhere. And my dad, who kept watch on me from the accompanying boat, throwing me bottles of water at regular intervals, and the rest of the family, who would come to every social gathering and awards ceremony. Long distance swimming taught me many things, such as discipline and perseverance, and it also taught me that I could be friends with anyone and gave me a life bigger than the one I was exposed to at school.
During the last ten years I haven’t swam very much, but I’ve applied these lessons to other activities – running, for instance (which I’m very, very bad at) and Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) which I’ve found really addictive. Every time you facing someone in the ring, you’re actually fighting yourself.
When I moved away from my family while travelling for a few years, I found that exercise was a great way to make friends – who doesn't like to talk while they walk – and the bond that is formed while puffing through a jog together is a lasting one indeed. I also fell in love with weights and began to educate myself on proper lifting technique, full body workouts and the clean eating practices (and yummy recipes!) that accompany workouts for the best results. However much I enjoy travelling, I find it tough to maintain consistency in diet and exercise while on the move – especially when moving to a different continent. As my husband and I packed up and said goodbye to return later, experiencing many places (and delicious meals) along the way, we packed on the pounds.
Once home, it was time to put everything I had learnt – not only about exercise and nutrition, but also what worked for me individually, into practice. As we settled into new routines and made time for exercise alongside full time work and studying, we gradually reclaimed our health and lost inches.
My little brother (chubby as a child, who was bullied at his all-boys school for his sweet nature and intelligence) is now all grown up – a fighter and weightlifter and cyclist and long distance runner. He now coaches me on the beach or in the gym – pushing me to be the version of me he sees. My dad runs with me, patiently carrying water and endless encouragement. During the last few months, I’ve been sick, and struggled with the lack of activity and inconsistent diet that it brings. My mom patiently makes food that is delicious and healthy, ensures that I rest and tries to instill patience in me. My husband, as well as accompanying me to every doctor’s appointment, makes sure that I walk often and regularly, helping me to increase my activity gradually until I can exercise at full strength again.
With all this family support, you’d think that I’d be a great sportsperson, or at least, a highly motivated, confident energy bunny. I’m not. If it wasn't for them, I fear I’d be pretty lazy. Sometimes I skip workouts, and I definitely don’t stretch enough. But eating healthy food and exercising – whether something bad ass or just walking around the neighbourhood – has become a way for me to spend time with the people I love.
