Well you're a target because you're lean - i NEVER eat maccas - it's NOT FOOD!!!!! But because i'm a curvy woman no-one can comment. As for chocolate, i've eated it about 3 times since my new health kick but i have 2 squares instead of 2 bars - nothing wrong with that at all. If you don't like chocolate (ARE YOU MAD!?! lol) who cares what people think?

The best thing about my recent health kick is that it's an inclusive rather than exclusive diet - i'm aiming for 5-9 portions of fruit and veg yes? My average now i'm settled in is 7-8 (7.7 - SUCH a geek!), and do you know what? I am not HUNGRY for more food! I'm so stuffed with fibre the whole time i just don't want it. Someone will say "you want a slice of carrot cake" and i'll say "you know, i would, but i ate 2 actual carrots, 3 tomatoes and an apple an hour ago and i'm STUFFED still...maybe i could just have a bite of yours?" and a bite is always enough. It feels, after years of being overweight before DD and trying a million faddish diets, like i've found the holy grail of eating. I'm finding "eat more...." so much easier than "eat less...." you know?

ANyway, we've talked about this already. You are raising daughters, and THEY are who you need to worry about. Do you think "don't eat crap and try to fuel your body well" is a bad message for them? I know you've had anorexia in the past, and you're very lean just now, but i also know that you MUST be eating about 2500 cals a day to sustain the training you're doing - you cannot build muscle without calories. SO you're not harming your body, quite the contrary. If YOU know you're healthy and you're happy that your daughters will grow up seeing you and have a healthy attitude then you really need to file the opinions of others under "don't care" you know?

As for your essay...i cannot believe they give you such a tiny space to discuss it and judge 50% of the final result on it! I could sneeze and say more than that! LOL. I've put my ideas in in bold. HTH

Why did you participate in the Horley's Goodlife 12 Week Challenge:
I wanted to get to the next level in my fitness and challenge myself again. I wanted to improve my diet and better educate myself with regards to nutrition. I also wanted to stop drinking alcohol for a while.

What obstacles did you face during the challenge and how did you overcome them/it:
Having suffered with anorexia from the ages of 14 to 25 I found the weighing and measuring very hard. I overcame this by not focusing on the numbers and more on how I was feeling and my energy levels. Finally realising, and feeling, how what I ate was directly affecting how I felt during the day and while exercising was an incredibly liberating feeling - food has become valuable fuel, and my relationship with food has been profoundly simplified with this realisation.

How has participating and completing the Goodlife 12 Week Challenge benefited other aspects in your life:
Whilst I have undoubtedly increased my physical strength I have also grown incredibly strong emotionally. My self confidence has improved tenfold and I feel so empowered in my life now. During this challenge I found the strength to leave an unhappy relationship and take stock of my life and realise what I want and don't want for my family and the future. Those changes, in my outlook and character, whether i go on exercising like this or not, are permanent.
Bx