What I learnt from losing 5 stone over lockdown

This has been an intense year in many respects. As the lead on access to finance at one of Britain’s leading business groups, it has certainly been relentless helping businesses of all sizes weather the storm. Many other people have had the rug pulled from under them as the economic crisis emerged alongside the pandemic or adapted to the challenges put in their way, securing new skills and jobs. Sadly, others have suffered dreadfully with the virus or dealt with the loss of loved ones.

I’m a mission orientated individual and dived wholeheartedly into the task of getting financial support to where it was needed most, working with colleagues, members and stakeholders across the piece. At the same time, I took the opportunity to take on a more personal challenge. Over the last few years, I had got very large and whilst some people are comfortable being overweight, I never was. I had been an active marathon runner and President of the Athletics Club at University, yet an intense job coupled with a profession orientated around networking – as well as personal political activities – took their toll. Living on my own through lockdown, I decided to take action and reset my lifestyle.

I have lost 5 stone during lockdown (nearly 32kg) and over a foot round my waist in the past year. Many people who are uncomfortable with their own situation or concerned about their health have found my story inspirational and started their own journeys. I wanted to share what I had learnt, and I think many of the lessons are applicable in the professional context.?

1. Lean in on professionals – there are experts for a reason. I had tried dieting before but it never really worked so I brought in the professionals and signed up with Embody Fitness, a private gym in the City. I had a great nutritionist Danny and a fantastic Personal Trainer Michele, a former training instructor in the Italian Army who was a fantastic motivator. They gave me the tools I needed to push on through the second lockdown and stay focussed on my goals.
2. Small steps count – losing a stone felt like a mountain to climb but breaking down the task into steps made all the difference; 1800 calories a day, three gym sessions a week, 10,000 steps a day. Before I knew it the weight was flying off and I kept on going. This has helped in other aspects of my life, breaking tasks down, achieving small goals on the way, and what seemed impossible is suddenly in reach.
3. Focus is key – it is a busy, crowded world and we all get distracted. Lockdown for me was the perfect time to take on the challenge, I live on my own and it was great to have something to focus on alongside my work. That said, having been on the journey it reminded me to focus on why you started something in the first place. As thing reopen, reminding myself why I am doing something, and its purpose has been incredibly valuable.
4. Setbacks are part of the journey – sometimes we slip up. In my case, not meeting the step count or maybe eating something I shouldn’t have. The key was not throwing everything away and going back to square one. Own the setback and use it to motivate yourself even more to take yourself forward. Churchill famously said, “success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” You may not get the job you wanted or be told you have just fallen short in something that really matters to you; often we learn more from the journey than our successes and over time you will get there – be patient.
5. Persistence matters – for me, my fitness journey has highlighted how persistence is one of the greatest attributes we can have. To keep carrying on, pushing yourself and keeping your eyes on the goal even if the gyms are closed and its freezing and raining, getting out there and ploughing through. Tom Daly has famously secured his first gold medal at his fourth Olympics, he kept going on with the encouragement of his family. We can all persist, the question is do you want to? Take that first step and the others will follow.

Those are the lessons I have learnt from my fitness journey. I am now taking on new challenges and back into running in a big way. People will tell you things can’t be done, or you may feel that you don’t have the right knowledge or skills to take that next step in your career. My fitness journey has shown to me that if you break things down, stay focussed and persevere you can reach your goals.