My Fitness Journey: The Ups, The Downs & Everything In Between

Whether you're a gym fanatic or just starting out, this blog is for anyone who wants to move their bodies!

Hey! I just wanted to share a bit about my fitness journey up to now. Hope you're ready for a ride because it's been a wild mix of ups and downs, just like I promised in my bio.

Where It All Began

How does someone even start their fitness journey? Let's rewind to high school because, honestly, that's where it all started for me.

I've always loved staying active because it lifts my spirits and makes me feel strong and capable. But I wasn't always like this. Believe it or not, I used to be the awkward, skinny kid who was terrible at sports.

Trying (and Failing) at School Sports

Starting high school, I was all about fitting in and finding my crew, so I figured that joining the hockey or netball team might do the trick. My best friend was into netball, so I thought, why not try it out? Guess what? I ended up as the CAPTAIN... of the B team.

We had a decent year, but let's be real - it was a bit of a bummer always being in the shadow of the A team.

In grade 9, I decided to try out for both the Hockey and Netball teams again. I made the B team for netball again, but I finally got a spot on the A team for hockey. So, that was a no-brainer - A team it was.

I played hockey for three years, pushing myself to improve every second. In grade 10, I even won the Most Improved award, which was a huge deal for me. But by grade 11, the team dynamic changed, and things started feeling...off. So, I walked away from the sport before my final year, and that one decision ended up shaping my entire fitness journey.

Discovering CrossFit

After quitting hockey, I felt like I needed something to keep me active. There was a CrossFit gym in my small town, but I had no clue what it was about. I just knew I wanted to get fit for my Matric Farewell (basically prom), so I told my mom I was thinking of joining.

She was all for it and even decided to join me! So, we went to our first class, and... wow. It was brutal. We were the 'newbies' for a bit before we finally started catching on.

That first year, I improved a little, but I wasn't super committed. I After finishing school, I left for university, and before I could even think about joining a gym, Covid hit.

Fast forward to my second year of university - I finally found another CrossFit gym in Pretoria that I loved. This place turned into my fitness home. I've never experienced such an awesome and supportive community before, but they welcomed me with open arms and motivated me to become the best and strongest version of myself.

Hitting a Rough Patch

After about a year and a half, life threw me a curveball. I went through a tough time, got depressed, and lost a lot of weight because I wasn't eating properly. Looking back, that period sucked, but it also taught me the impact of nutrition on my body. (A story for another time.)

With my smaller frame, everything in CrossFit felt easier. I started competing, felt stronger than ever, and truly thought I'd found my place in the fitness world.

But then... a new problem popped up.

Too Strong for My Own Liking?

Getting stronger also made me bulkier, and honestly? I wasn't a fan.

I talked to my parents and my partner, and they all agreed—I was starting to look buff. (Not that there's anything wrong with that; it just didn't feel like me.) So, I made the tough decision to step away from CrossFit.

I missed the community and the workouts, but I wasn't happy with the results. I knew I had to find something new.

Plot Twist: Ballet

I know... what a turn.

Ballet, with its grace and precision, was nothing like the high-intensity training I was used to, but I loved it. For about a year, I dedicated myself to relearning old skills and focusing on improving my flexibility. I stretched daily, took classes whenever I could, and enjoyed the challenge of pushing my body in a completely new way.

Then, in February 2024, I started traveling abroad, and suddenly, my fitness routine fell apart. Keeping a structured workout schedule while traveling? Impossible. I hated the lack of consistency and felt like I was losing all my progress.

So for the past year, I've been relying on home workouts - using fitness apps, online classes, and whatever I could fit into my constantly changing schedule.

A New Challenge: Running

In October 2024, I decided to take on running, and I was quite surprised to find that... I loved it.

Running gave me a fresh way to challenge my body, clear my mind, and stay active no matter where I was. I'm still working on my flexibility alongside it, but here's the catch: I can feel the loss of the strength I once had in CrossFit.

I miss the feeling of lifting heavy, the empowering and uplifting community, and being able to lift my travel bags off of the conveyor belt! It's been a bit of a mental battle, but I'm hopeful that once I finish my Master's this year, I'll finally have the time to rebuild my fitness routine properly.

What’s Next?

I'm excited to find a new fitness community - somewhere I can regain my strength without overdoing it. Maybe a mix of strength training and flexibility? Maybe something entirely new? I guess time will tell!

Throughout all of this, I've learned that fitness isn't just about one thing. It's a journey that constantly evolves, and I'm still figuring it out every single day.

So, if you're someone who's trying to find what works for you - whether it's lifting, running, dancing, or even just moving your body in any way - you're not alone.

Stay tuned for more updates, tips, and everything in between. Let's keep growing together! <3