Posted in Dance

‘Exciting things are happening for Dance Greystones’

I am so proud and excited to announce our latest news.

Dance Greystones is going to be hosting it’s very first evening DANCE SHOW!

Rehearsals are running over the next few months ahead of our dance show at The Whale Theatre Greystones on Friday November 8th! We are all extremely excited to take to the stage for a magical night to remember.

It will be a showcase of everyone’s hard work throughout the past two years and with Dance Greystones continuously growing, the show will be a spectacular event full of vibrant, entertaining dance routines, performed by our wonderful students. This show is an excellent opportunity to witness the great work, dedication and fun we have throughout the years.

As you all know Dance Greystones is a group of girls and guys from Greystones who get together once or twice a week to practice different dance routines that are fun, high energy, rich in performance and professionally choreographed. None of the girls or guys are professional dancers, they all take part in the class for fun, fitness and socialising, however with their talent getting stronger and stronger, you are in for A TREAT!!!

The show will include numbers of contemporary, modern dances and musical theatre performances from our own dancers and you can also look forward to our guest performances on the night!

The night will be hosted by TV Presenter & former Mr. World Kamal Ibrahim.

Kamal won Mr. World in 2010 before starting his career in television. He is now a successful filmmaker and owner of Reelscreen production company and the host of the National Lottery on RTE. But most importantly Kamal is the man behind all of our dance videos we make with so much love.

You will also be able to enjoy the drinks from the bar and nibbles throughout the night.

It is sure to be a spectacular evening. Make sure you SAVE THE DATE – Friday 8th November 2019 – We promise it is an event not to be missed!

Thank you,

Vicky x

Posted in Dance, Lifestyle, My story

‘January & February ’19 Summed Up : Monthly Recaps’ – Vicky Andreanska

We are often so busy that we don’t get a chance to appreciate little things that happen to us. I have decided to start doing recaps as there is always so much happening and with me being so busy all the time I think it will be a really nice way for me to review everything that happened and take a moment to simply be grateful.

“It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy”.

TRAVELS & ADVENTURES

Snowboarding in High Tatras, Slovakia

I started my January very active. Two years ago since Nico was two years old we started a new tradition. We spend Christmas Day in Limerick and travel to Slovakia to spend the rest of the festive season with my family. After New Years we always go to the mountains for a few days – always the same spot in High Tatras. We spend five days snowboarding, skiing, eating great food and relaxing in a spa. Even though it can be tiring as you’re active all the time, I always come back feeling very motivated, full of energy and ready to take on the new year.

Surfing Weekend in Bundoran, Co. Donegal

Once again Sarah, Leah & myself road tripped up to our surf spot for a Valentine’s weekend- Bundoran. It was our third time there but once again this weekend left me thinking “Damn I love this little town, these people, learning how to surf, being salty and how lucky I am to be able to do this”. It was a weekend full of good vibes, good energy, fun and positive people, surfing and lots of laughs.

DANCE GREYSTONES

Dance Greystones had a three weeks break over Christmas and New Years time. It was probably the longest break we had and I’m not gonna lie, I really missed our weekly rehearsals and dancing. But break is also sometimes needed and we kicked off 2019 in a big style. Our first term ended up being fully booked as we took on one of the most popular musicals ‘The Greatest Showman’. And oh boy, we had fun. We jumped straight into the deep end and break-no break we went full on. Yes, we gave our bodies a bit of a shock after those three weeks of eating and not doing much exercise but we were all on the same boat and we all wanted to get back to a healthy routine.

“Endure the pain, enjoy the gain”.

We rehearsed our two songs: From Now On & This Is Me for four weeks and as usual we shot a dance video at the end of the term. I’ve got to say the costumes are always amazing at each shoot but this time round they were absolutely breathtaking. I found myself having a hard time to recognise some of the girls. Well, have a look for yourself.

For our second term which started the first week of February we chose a song Trip A Little Light Fantastic from ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ and it was one of my favourites up to date.

As you can notice we love musicals. They have something special to them. The costumes, the story, the fun element. And they are all so completely different too, so why not? We did our video shoot just last Sunday and as usual it was such a great day. It rained and it was cold, but it definitely didn’t dampen our dancing spirit. Everyone did an absolutely amazing job and once again I was one very proud teacher.

NEW VENTURE – STAGE SCHOOL

I am absolutely delighted to start my new venture with Xquisite Dance School alongside amazing Nicole Kelly & John Nolan. Every Saturday morning I will be teaching the dance part of the stage school and I can’t wait. The classes are for kids from the age of 4 up to teenagers. They will learn lots of different dance choreographies & also different songs with an amazing vocal coach Claire.

The classes run every Saturday morning at Xquisite Dance Studio at the Rink, D12 and they are open to everyone.

In July all stage school students will showcase their hard work in the theatre in Tallagh, Dublin.

With Xquisite Dance company continuously growing and the talent getting stronger, the show will be a spectacular event full of vibrant, entertaining dance routines, performed by our wonderful students. This show is an excellent opportunity to witness the great work, dedication and fun we have throughout the year. For more information about the classes, do not hesitate to contact me.

ZUMBA® NEWS

When I was writing my last blog (Q & A) and I had so many questions about when am I or if am I going to go back to Zumba®, it made me really miss it. It made me miss dancing to high energy music, letting loose and just shaking my booty 🙂

Every time I hear a song with a great beat I just want to dance. Since the New Year’s I have been playing with the idea of starting Zumba® again. I have recorded two choreos (attached below) with some of the girls in the past two weeks and it was so much fun, it made me miss it even more!

That much, that I’ve decided to start Tuesday morning Zumba® class again.

I’m currently working on choreographing new routines so I can start the class on Tuesday 19th March and I literally can’t wait to see you all.

The classes will run on Tuesdays at 10am in PureLight Dance & Yoga Studio (Shoreline Leisure Bray) followed by breakfast/coffee (optional).

If you’d like to see more of our videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZqKVyPLUXsGWt-XJ5FxJlg?view_as=subscriber

Or stay in touch by finding me via the social links below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zumbaanddancewithvicky

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dance_by_vicky_

Website: http://www.dancegreystones.ie

http://www.blogitwithvicky.com

Vicky x

Posted in Dance, Lifestyle, My story, Q & A

‘Q & A with Vicky’ – Vicky Andreanska

I often get asked a lot of questions whether it comes to my personal or professional life, so I have decided to do a Q & A style blog especially after welcoming so many new members to our Dance Fam in January. I have chosen 20 of the questions I was asked and answered them in this blog post.

I hope that thanks to this blog you’ll get to know me a little better.

Vicky x

IMG_7113

1. What age are you?

I am 34. I will be 35 in June.

2. What was your very first job?

My very first job was when I moved to Ireland in July 2006. I moved right after graduating from college and I was a waitress in ‘The Coffee Shop’ in Wicklow Town. I worked there for exactly one year and after that I started working as a Fitness Instructor and Swim Teacher in Coral Leisure Centre. I stayed there for another year before I started working in ShoreLine Leisure Greystones. I was in ShoreLine for eight years until I had my son Nico. After maternity leave I decided to focus on my own thing, which is Dance.

3. How did you get involved with dance in Ireland?

I was a dancer in a dance group in Slovakia since I was a teenager. After moving to Ireland I started teaching Zumba® as part of my job. In 2015 I got involved in Strictly Come Dancing Fundraiser as a choreographer/ organiser and that led me to form a dance group which is now known as ‘Dance Greystones’.

I also got a chance to open a dance studio and build a dance community around Greystones & Bray area and get involved in multiple Dance Fundraisers.

4. How did you get the group together for Dance Greystones?

Dance Greystones is a group that has really formed by itself. It is a group that is open to everyone – complete beginners or intermediate and advanced dancers, any age, any background. Everyone is welcome to join.

We started with about 15 people in the group in May 2016. Some of them have stuck since the very beginning, some joined us along the way and some are still joining us at this stage. Each term is a new beginning for everyone so people are welcome to join at any stage and I’m very happy to see this group still growing.

5. What are your plans for future with Dance Greystones (are you planning any new things)?

My next goal would be to put on a showcase night ‘The Dance Greystones Show’ which would be a night full of creative choreography performed by Dance Greystones members. A fun night, filled with upbeat, energetic dance routines, nice food and positive vibes.

6. Why did you stop doing Zumba®? Do you miss it and do you think you will start the classes again soon?

I got a lot of questions about this. I have to be very honest with you, I absolutely love Zumba® and yes I miss it very much. The reason I stopped teaching Zumba® was simply because I found it very difficult to commit to weekly classes. As much as I enjoyed every second of the actual class, it was before and after the class where I often struggled. I was always running late, it was the process of getting to the class, getting a sitter and stuff around it that was getting too difficult for me. It just simply ended up being so stressful that it took the enjoyment of the class away from me. It got to the point where I felt burned out and my body was also giving me signs that I needed a break.

Despite all of the above I really miss Zumba® and hopefully I will get back to it in the future. Either way, I will keep you posted.

7. What is your goal in life?

Enjoy the moments, take chances, keep working hard, travel, BE HAPPY.

8. What do you consider to be a highlight of your life so far?

I still sometimes can’t believe someone calls me mommy. Being a mom is by far the best thing that has ever happened to me and I wake up every morning feeling so lucky.

9. Would you like Nico to be a dancer one day?

Nico has a natural rhythm and he has definitely got the moves however, I would never force him to do anything. Whatever he decides he’d like to do I will support him 100%. At the moment he is really into tennis, swimming & football and I’m all for that. But don’t take me wrong – every time I’m choreographing at home he joins me and he throws some serious moves – so you never know 🙂

11. Would you like more kids?

Yes. If it’s in the cards for me, I would definitely love more kids one day.

12. It’s very unusual to see ex partners to get on so well and be such good friends as you and Kamal are. What is the secret?

This is another question I get asked very often. There is no secret. I know because we’re not a couple, our situation might not be “normal” to most, but Im so happy and thankful for the relationship we have. No matter what we always stay focused on the fact that we brought a beautiful baby boy into the world and he is all that matters.

It didn’t work out for us as partners but we care about each other very much. We want each other to be happy and we support each other in everything we do. We are best friends and most importantly we are a family and always will be.

In saying that of course we sometimes clash and drive each other crazy, but who doesn’t? That’s life and we all learn as we go.

13. How are you always so full of energy?

It might seem like that but trust me I am far from that. It’s funny but I feel like the more projects I’m working on, the more energy I have. It’s very rarely that I am bored but I think that’s when my energy levels go down. I feel like I get energy from the jobs I’m passionate about.

I’m also a strong believer that we all need to recharge the batteries now and then. For me it is a vacation whether somewhere abroad or even just a weekend away with the girls. Just a time to switch off and do ‘you’.

14. What dance class apart from yours would you recommend for beginners or advanced dancers?

It depends on what kind of dancing you are interested in. I definitely recommend Xquisite Dance School with Nicole Kelly & John Nolan. They cater for beginners and advanced dancers and they’re amazing (they now teach in Bray too). If you’re more interested in the fitness element then I definitely recommend Zumba® with Susan in Enniskerry or Hip Hop with Rachel (UrbanX Bray).

15. Do you recommend yoga and why?

Yes. I’m not a yoga instructor but I absolutely recommend it. Yoga is great for the body and the mind. Sometimes I suffer with anxiety and I find yoga amazing for helping with that. It is also great for core strength and stretching the body out. There are lots of different types of yoga classes to choose from and I’m sure everyone can find something that suits their needs.

16. Do you work on any projects with other dancers?

I had the pleasure of working on different Strictly Come Dancing Fundraising events with some amazing choreographers and dancers like: Kelly Smyth, Rachel Smyth, John Nolan and Nicole Kelly.

Since becoming a Zumba® instructor in 2011 I have also worked on many Zumba® events with some incredible instructors. The Zumba® Instructors Community in Ireland really is amazing. I worked closely with The Move Me Ireland Team which I was a part of (Donna Murphy, Laura Jurgelionyte, Justyna Mikolajczyk, Geoff Lynam & Susana Murphy).

At the moment I’m starting a new venture with a choreographer Victoria Haskins, as we’re taking on another Strictly Come Dancing Fundraiser for Wicklow Educate Together starting in February.

17. Would you take part in a project as a dancer rather than a choreographer/ teacher?

I really love being a choreographer but I have to admit I do miss dancing a lot. I would be absolutely delighted to be involved in a project as a dancer.

18. How do you choose the songs for your classes?

In general I usually either try to go with what’s on or current at the time or I go with the suggestions from the members of the group and what they enjoy the most. It has been proven they like musicals and movies the most so I always try to find the happy medium. Also what plays a big role in the song choice is the actual video and the story in the video as we always strive to re-enact the original.

19. Who are your favourite ‘celebs’ for inspiration?

Depending which area of life we’re talking about. But for lifestyle in general it would definitely be instagrammers who keep it real and who have the similar interests so I can relate to them. I have a good few who I like and get inspired by but my top 5 would be:

1. Alexandra Orviska

2. Ashley Louise James

3. Kamila Sikl

4. The Sikls

5. Kass Martin

20. Do you always eat healthy and exercise much? What are your views on diets?

I’m definitely not a fan of any diets. In my opinion dieting is always temporary and it will end up backfiring on you in the long run. I think making small changes that fit into your lifestyle is the healthiest way to success.

When I’m trying to get or stay in shape I always try and eat healthy foods, consistent meals, regular portion sizes and also have small snacks and drink a lot of water.

I try and be as active as I can and other than my regular classes I strive to fit in some other types of workouts at least 2-3 times a week, obviously depending on how flexible my schedule is. I’ve got to admit, I let myself go in December a little (too many parties and excuses like “sure it’s Christmas”), but January has been quite good and I’d like to continue that way. I also think it’s ok to go out and have a cheat meal now and then, as long as you’re working hard and keeping the commitment.

Thank you all for your questions & I hope you enjoyed the read.

Love, Vicky x

Follow me on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/zumbaanddancewithvicky/

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: Vicky Andreanska Dance

Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dance_by_vicky_/

Posted in Lifestyle, Vicky's Tips

‘Getting Back on Track’ – Vicky Andreanska

Every time I’m writing my blog posts I always try to give advice and tips from my own past experiences. However we all know life happens and sometimes it gets a bit hard to practice what we preach.
The main reason why I decided to write this blog is that for the past month or so I’ve been finding it quite difficult to keep fully on track. I’m staying up late – not getting enough sleep, no meditation, eating out a lot more often than I’d like to and just a quick workouts here and there. Except my own dance classes, my workouts aren’t really consistent. As I type this, I’m sitting in The Happy Pear Cafe in Shoreline Gym, eating their yummy porridge and drinking my large latte. I do this at least three times a week for the past month and even though I’m here and the gym is only a few stairs away, I still find it hard to get myself up there and do my workout. I sit here and I work on my business.
unnamed-1 2.jpg
Now and then when the life get’s in the way, when we overload ourselves with lots of work or simply when something in life doesn’t go the way we want it to go, we tend to neglect our lifestyle of healthy eating and regular exercise. It happens to nearly everyone and it doesn’t make you a failure. If anything, it makes you a human and it’s ok as long as you can recognise it, make positive changes and get back on track again.
I wrote this blog for anyone who would like a little kick in the right direction.
As I mentioned above, I haven’t been living the healthiest lifestyle for about a month. Last week I sat down and I decided to make a plan so I can change it and slowly but surely get back on the wagon. With only five weeks to Christmas, I have decided I’m going to take on a Yoga Challenge (30 days of YOGA) with two amazing teachers Aisling and Casey at Yoga Nest Studio in Kilcoole.
29543232_158518671497684_8413844947727718902_n

What does the challenge consist of?
I have to take a yoga class every single day. Yes 30 classes in 30 days. Even though it sounds like a lot, I know myself and how I work. When I sign up and take on a challenge like this, I AM IN. I will always make sure I get to the class no matter what. For me it’s a great motivation that I need right now. And the bonus is, I love yoga and it’s benefits. I’m very excited to share this journey with you all so I will write a whole blog about it when I complete the whole 30 days.
46506307_260390877977129_8418985582130102272_n
I only started it on Wednesday (five days ago) so I’m still finding it sometimes mentally challenging to get to the class when it gets dark and I’m comfy at home but once I’m there I just feel so good. I always leave the class feeling great.
It’s the same with everything, once you get into a regular exercise and healthy eating regime, you start to feel better about yourself and that feeling is addictive. Once you feel it, you then chase it – you crave exercising more, making better diet decisions and just taking better care of your body in general. It’s all about that healthy balance though.
I am a strong believer that there shouldn’t be a fad diet, complete detox or total deprivation.
In my opinion it should all be about small everyday healthy changes and choices that are going to help to make you eat better, have more energy and just feel a whole lot healthier.
Health is the result of a number of different factors including our mental, emotional, and social well-being. I don’t think it’s just about our ability to eat perfectly according to plan.
Here are my eight main tips to help you get on track:
1. PLAN, SCHEDULE & PREPARE
Sometimes you can get by without it but it is planning that helps me to stay on track. It helps me use the time much more effectively when I plan my day. I always do it the night before. I write a simple bullet point list of ‘to do’ things for the next day, which makes me feel not just more organised but also more relaxed knowing I’m ready for the day.
2. BE INSPIRED
Find blogs, programmes and other sources of inspiration to help you get back on track. I find inspiration being one of the most helpful things to give me that little kick I sometimes need.
3. SET YOUR GOALS
“People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going” – Earl Nightingale
4. BE ACTIVE EVERY DAY
One class a week or even two classes a week are a great way to stay active, but I believe it’s important to be active every day. You don’t have to go to the gym and kill it for over an hour on a daily basis. There are so many more options, you can go for a quick run or swim or to your dance or yoga class. Or even just a walk with your dog. Being active is so much more than just the gym and I think the key is consistency and diversity.
5. CREATE A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD & DRINK A LOT OF WATER
Same as with everything else, food is not just black and white. There is no good and bad food. There are only consistent choices and you don’t have to cut things completely out of your diet and never eat the things you enjoy again. For me it doesn’t make sense. Especially because we wouldn’t be able to keep up with that long term.
In my opinion getting healthy and losing weight is about creating a healthy relationship with food, not the other way around.
And it’s also important to drink at least two litres of water.
“To insure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life”- William Londen
6. GET SOME ‘YOU TIME’ EVERY DAY
Always make sure you get some time in a day to do just YOU. We sometimes forget how important it is and honestly, it makes such a big difference. Spend that time whatever way you like, whether its meditation, reading your favourite book, listening to music, having a nice quiet cup of tea, go for a walk or a jog or even for a mani pedi. Just make sure those moments are with just you. Without any unnecessary distractions – just you and your thoughts.
“Your body needs rest in order to make progress” – Takacs

7. BE POSITIVE
“If you don’t like something, change it.  If you can’t change it, change your attitude” – Maya Angelou. Try and always choose a positive and cheerful attitude and see how your world changes for the better. People are drawn to those with a sunny positive vibe.
I’m not saying that you can’t feel emotions, but if you try and choose to see the bright side, the hidden blessings, the lessons and the opportunities, then you will not be so easily swayed by things that happen.
8. GO TO BED EARLIER
An hour before bed, turn off your phone and have a book in hand to read till you sleep – to be honest this is where I fail most of the time and it’s something I really need and genuinely want to change. Even when I manage to get to bed early, I always end up being on my phone for hours and go to sleep too late. So I have decided to turn off my phone an hour before I go to bed and see how I get on. It’s a bed habit I need to break.
“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise” – Benjamin Franklin
Hope it helps anyone who needs a little push and also if you have any tips that help you getting back on track please make sure you let me know.
Thank you,
Vicky x
Posted in Lifestyle, My story, Vicky's Tips

‘My story – Exercise and me’

Most of you reading this post probably know me as this active, non stop moving, energetic girl, who loves exercise and working out. And you are right, I do love exercise and being active since forever. If I go by what my mom tells me then its since before I was even born.
But it certainly doesn’t mean it’s been like that all the time.
IMG_4313
I went through periods of my life when I felt differently about it. I went through the times when I struggled and exercised for wrong reasons. I didn’t enjoy it at all and viewed it as something I had to do, not something I wanted or enjoyed to do at the time.
Everyone is different and everyone deals with their feelings, emotions, whether they’re good or bad their own way. For so many people exercise is something that helps them to get through the hard times, to help them stay focused or away from anxiety or just to get out and for an hour and forget about whatever they are dealing with in their life.
For others, exercise is a part of the day, part of their lifestyle and they can’t even imagine a day going without it because it makes them feel good.
Everyone is different and everyone should always do what makes them feel good – there is so many ways of exercising and what makes one person feel good doesn’t necessarily mean it’s what you will enjoy too.
What is a really strange feeling for me is that only now (while I’m typing this and thinking about it), Im realising when I was a teenager and pretty much up until about 4 years ago, any activities and exercise I used to do in my free time I did simply for the fact that I enjoyed them. I used to workout and move because i wanted to, because i enjoyed it and it made me feel good. It was never a case that I felt I had to do it in order to look “perfect”.
And if you’re thinking “Yea, it’s because you didn’t have to worry about your weight as you were never overweight”, you are right. I wasn’t. But neither am I now.
So why did I start feeling differently about it then? Why did I start feeling I had to go to the gym so I can get in shape, get skinnier or more toned? Why was I happy in my body before and not so much now? When did it change?
When I was pregnant I put on a lot of weight (26kg to be exact, which is a lot) and I didn’t really mind, I was pregnant so I felt ok about it. Then I had my beautiful little boy and I couldn’t be any happier. It didn’t really bother me that I wasn’t straight back in the shape, I genuinely didn’t care because I was enjoying the mommy-hood and didn’t think much about it. I have lost quite a lot of weight but I didn’t go straight back to what I used to be. And I couldn’t help but started to feel this weird pressure which is quite hard to explain. I felt like because of my fitness background, people where almost expecting me to get straight into shape, get ‘my body’ back straight away.
I could have been completely wrong but I subconsciously felt this pressure and only one small comment like “When are you gonna start working out?” or that one ‘look’ could easily make me feel like it’s a hint. So after a few weeks I have decided it was time to get back to the gym and work on my body.
Did I enjoy it? NO. Why didn’t I enjoy it like I used to?
To be honest with you, I was quite happy in my post-baby body. I wasn’t unhealthy, I was still active – walking hours and hours a day with Nico in the buggy, eating healthy food and I was happy. But with those little hints I was getting here and there (which I now believe I sometimes made in my own head myself) and the expectations I felt like I had to meet, even though I didn’t feel like hitting the gym at the time, I decided to just do it. I worked out because I thought people didn’t like the way my body looked and I started to believe it. I stopped liking my body and i was insecure about it. And I stopped enjoying the gym workout. In fact every time I went was a torture.
After a few months I was choreographing and organising a Strictly Come Dancing Fundraiser which took all my free time, so I didn’t get a chance to go to the gym.
That time I have finally decided to stop. Stop chasing this “perfect” body. I was just exhausted and tired of it – emotionally and physically too.
I decided I’m going to enjoy this experience of ‘Strictly’. I was having a great time choreographing, dancing and socialising, while I was eating good food and living a healthy lifestyle. I stopped focusing on the results, stopped stressing about it and simply
enjoyed the process.
And guess what happened?
unnamed
By the end of this experience I felt amazing. ‘Strictly’ helped me to forget about the pressure and just enjoy what I like to do. It didn’t just help my body but also my mind.
And to be honest I think I was possibly in the best shape I’ve ever been (pic with Nico).
When I stopped viewing the exercise as this horrible thing I had to do in order to get back into shape and started seeing it as a positive part of my lifestyle to move my body and stay healthy and even away from my anxiety, it all changed.
It was probably the best I’ve felt about myself (confidence-wise) since college.
Blake Lively once said: “The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence”.
And it is so true. There is nothing more attractive then confidence. It doesn’t really matter if you’re in a perfect shape really, once you feel good about yourself it shines through you.
IMG_4320
When you’ll look back at your life, will you wish you had a stricter diet or exercise regime or that you lived your life more? I’m sure nobody is going to say the first option.
But I know it’s so hard to think that way at times as today’s world is constantly promoting something else. And I know how easy it is to feel pressured these days (thanks to social media, photoshop, expectations, comparing and society in general).
I know it because up until few months ago I still used to catch myself wishing my body would look different – better. Telling myself i need to work harder to get to whatever image I created in my head for myself.
But why?
The difference between my body before i was pregnant (when i was perfectly confident and happy with my body) and now isn’t that big, at times when I’m being good and I workout as much as I’d like to, it’s literally minimal if any, so why do I care much more about it now? I’m older, surely i should be more confident knowing my body haven’t really changed? But somehow its the other way.
Somehow i feel judged, compared and not necessarily by others, sometimes by me.
Why do i do it to myself?
I’m not gonna give you the answer to this because i’m not entirely sure why and I’m not the expert, but i’m finally aware of how silly it is and for the past few months I’m trying to look at it differently.
I don’t want to sound preachy about self confidence and self love, as I’m definitely not 100% there yet, but I think I’m definitely getting closer to where I want to be. I feel quite confident and secure and even though at times I feel ‘out of shape’ – because life happens and sometimes I’m too busy, or too lazy, or caught up in a great tv series which is ok too, I also know I will always get back to it.
Exercise should be a part of everyone’s life cause it’s extremely important for not just your physical but also mental health. A lot of times for me personally working out helps me to stay away from anxiety and it also makes me feel good about myself.
I just think we shouldn’t spend hours running on treadmill if we don’t enjoy it, or count calories if it makes us stressed, but we should try doing workouts we truly enjoy and that make us feel good. These days the options are endless.
I know a few months ago I wouldn’t have shared these pictures publicly, as Im clearly not in the ‘best’ shape and you can see my rolls (it’s all about the angle), but I’m ok with it. I guess I’ve slowly learned I don’t always need to have a six-pack to like my body and because the last few months were a bit stressful, I didn’t get to workout as much as I would like to or as I should. But it’s ok. I’m just gonna ‘roll with it’ 🙂
I’m now finally starting to have more time for myself and I can’t wait to get back to the gym and dance more. And I’m also very excited about the winter season as I always go snowboarding, which for me is always super fun. I love to just grab the gear and hit the mountain and enjoy it to the fullest. And the bonus is – it’s also a full body workout.
So what is the moral of this story?
Eat good food, live healthy lifestyle and move for pleasure, not as a chore.
Find a workout that makes you feel good (whether it is gym workout, jogging, dancing, crossfit, boxing, yoga or walking your dog), a workout that you enjoy because only that way you will stick to it. Try and don’t beat yourself, it always takes time to see changes, just be persistent and patient.
And most importantly –
WORKOUT BECAUSE YOU LOVE YOUR BODY AND NOT BECAUSE YOU HATE IT ❤️
“Beauty has so many forms, and I think the most beautiful thing is confidence and loving yourself”. – Kiesza
Hope it helps anyone who do struggle xxx
Vicky x