In this month’s Body Image Fitness Spotlight, we’re excited to share Erin’s story. Erin joined BIF six months ago and has been a regular at our Newcastle Classes. Her journey is a powerful example of how focusing on self-acceptance and finding the right community can transform not just fitness but your entire outlook on life. She found the Newcastle NON DIET Fitness approach very refreshing.
Erin loves small group training. She currently is on a path to improve fitness at her own pace and be proud of every extra KG she adds to her weights and exercise. Her favourite parts of being a BIF member are acceptance, kindness and the camaraderie. Since joining BIF, Erin has learned so much about herself. Specifically that she is more capable than she ever believed and that people see her for who she is and NOT how she looks. The Newcastle NON DIET Fitness approach at BIF has had a massive impact on her body image and confidence in the most positive way.
(i’m sure we can all understand how that feels). The thought of being unable to keep up with others, getting sweaty and out of breath with others. Since she has joined BIF none of this even crosses her mind. An achievement connected to Newcastle NON DIET Fitness that surprised her was when she did a 10KG dumbbell shoulder press when previously she had done 6KG. Erin believes that BIF stands out from other fitness options because our main goal isn’t changing our members to fit into a box.
If she could describe BIF in one word it would be ‘accepting’ because you’re accepted by everyone and encouraged to be yourself. Her advice to someone considering joining BIF is ‘DO IT’. When she walked into her first class she felt a bit unsure but was made to feel welcome straight away. She felt truly proud and empowered when she was supporting another member with their form and celebrated with them when they hit their personal best. The Newcastle NON DIET Fitness classes have really helped her.
Q. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your fitness journey?
“I’ve struggled with my self esteem and self worth for most of my life. I tied my worth to my weight for far too long. After suffering a significant trauma, finally getting support for my mental health and finding a career that I absolutely adore, I realised my worth has nothing to do with how I look.”
“Now I wouldn’t say I think I am a looker, but I have accepted my body and know my value has nothing to do with that. Finally realising that and accepting me for me, really opened my mind to getting fit for my wellbeing and general health, not as a tool to lose weight. What a freeing feeling that is. I still have hangups about being judged but finding out about BIF really resonated with me, and I wanted to be surrounded by people who have the same motivations.”
“BIF has been amazing, I felt accepted from the very first day. Kim encourages everyone to listen to their body and do what’s right for them. If that means doing a lighter weight, or asking for an alternative exercise, you’re praised for having the confidence to speak out. I have grown in confidence to the point I want to push myself, not because I should to ‘keep up’ and not because of the fear of being perceived as the fat lass who is so unfit. When my arms shake, I love it! When I struggle to complete a set and push myself to up my weights. There is no sense of competitiveness, and everyone celebrates each other’s victories.”
Q. How has your mindset towards fitness changed since joining BIF?
“I think my mindset had changed prior to BIF, but I’ve been able to increase in confidence, understand my body’s needs and really focus on my fitness and wellbeing and not on losing weight. And it’s little things that I’m finally understanding about exercise. For example, I thought stretching afterwards was just what you did, but now I actually understand and feel the benefits of doing it.” The Newcastle NON DIET Fitness environment helped her appreciate this.
Q. Who or what inspires you on your fitness journey?
“I think my inspiration is being in good mental health. For the first time since my early teens, I want to maintain this incredible feeling of acceptance of myself I have newly discovered. I finally know what it feels like to be genuinely content with myself. I only want to keep that feeling alive. Getting fit and strong is helping me do that. It helps me to understand I am far more capable that my ‘negative self’ would tell me I am. I wanna feel this good forever.”
“From the recommendation of a friend, the fact that it’s fitness focused and actually weight loss and dieting is not discussed. It takes the pressure off and ultimately yeah losing weight will help my physical health, but for me and from what BIF promotes that’s not a focus but an additional benefit. It takes away that slave to the scale and f*ck it attitude I’ve had in the past. That’s why I love the Newcastle NON DIET Fitness approach.”
Q. What would you say to someone who’s unsure if BIF is the right fit for them?
“Try it!You won’t lose anything by giving it a go. If it aligns with you, you’ll find an incredible community that will help you grow.”
Q. What’s your favourite memory or moment with BIF so far?
“Having chocolate at the end of a session! And we openly chat about what we are having for tea during the end stretch! I’ve had so much inspiration from this.”
“It’s changed so much. I’m much more positive. I am also more outspoken when discussing fitness outside of BIF. I have put boundaries in place with people I love, who are very opinionated on ‘the right way to do fitness’. It’s my fitness journey and I will do it the way that is best for me.”
Q. How has BIF impacted your life outside of fitness?
“It had a significant impact, I finally feel that I can speak my mind. I don’t need to go along with things just so I’m not perceived as difficult. I don’t give a f*ck about strangers’ opinions and I now have established boundaries to keep myself safe and well.”
