Gabby

WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR BEFORE I JOINED DMF….

I was looking for a fitness group and community to join as I had only recently moved to the area. I didn’t really know anyone and wanted to meet new people who also had an interest in health and fitness. I did my own research in which there weren’t that many options, however I landed on DMF instagram page, had an initial introductory call with Dan and the rest is history!

BEFORE DMF…

I have always been into exercise and after graduating from university I joined a crossfit gym which I went to a few times a week when I could after work. I got injured frequently so I didn’t really see any significant progress. During covid I tried some home workouts in our lounge but I got bored very quickly and didn’t consistently stick to anything. I felt a little bit lost as I didn’t know what I should or should not be doing. 

THE CHANGES I HAVE MADE….

 As a type 1 diabetic I was worried I was going to be advised I had to follow a particular diet or be told what I can and can’t eat. Dan was extremely understanding and tailored my nutrition plan  that was suitable for me, including incorporating  any extra calories I would need if my blood sugars went low. This made it easy for me to stick to consistently, if I ever had a plateau I could always reach out to Dan to make any changes where necessary. Initially it was challenging when I had any social event pop up which I knew there would be alcohol and wine where I was worried I’d undo all the progress I had made. Dan planned out a strategy to manage this, which I now use for any social weekend and really does work (Hen dos, weddings, holidays etc.). This really helped keep me consistent, knowing no food was off limits and got myself out of the cycle of ‘all or nothing’ when it comes to food. 

OTHER THINGS I’VE LEARNT

 Progress takes time, I didn’t become overweight quickly so losing weight wouldn’t be either. Sounds obvious but I regularly fell into the trap of quick 8-12 week transformations on social media thinking it would do the trick. 

THE CHANGES IN MY BODY….

 When I first joined I was at 33% body fat and 73kg, I am now 18% and lost 2 stone which if anyone said that’s what I’d finish at, I would have just laughed and never thought that’d be possible.

HOW I TRAIN AND EAT DIFFERENT TO BEFORE…

My attitude to food has changed psychologically more than anything. No food is now off limits, I don’t have to ‘punish’ myself on Monday if i had a slice of cake over the weekend or had a glass of wine out with my friends. I have taken up running alongside weight training with a programme Dan created, I previously hated running and now I find it bearable – it’s still a work in progress!  

MY PLANS GOING FORWARDS..

I have never reached the end of a diet before so I am a bit worried about the possibility of regaining all the weight I had previously lost. I have had an in depth chat with Dan about how to manage my reverse dieting phase, which has given me extra reassurance and I’m now excited to start increasing my calories. Hopefully I can build some more muscle mass and get stronger as a result.

MY MINDSET HAS CHANGED…

The main change is that I now exercise for the health benefits it gives rather than the aesthetics. Whether that be to de stress or get some endorphin’s going, it really has helped me become more positive and helped in every part of my life. I now know to be able to perform at my best, train hard and progress. I now understand I need to fuel my body properly – Dan and his team have helped me gain these habits to enable me to do that.