FITNESS BUNNY, ACTIVEWEAR ADDICT & THE PERSON WHO WILL HAVE MADE FRIENDS WITH EVERYONE IN THE ROOM BY THE END OF THE EVENING.
You owe yourself the love you so freely give to others.
A bit about me
Whilst today you’ll most likely find me working up a sweat at the latest fitness studio, or eating/drinking my way through London’s finest cafes/bars/restaurants, trust me, it wasn’t always that way. Growing up an insecure teenager, with what I can only describe as a fear of fitness, yet an accompanying desire to be ‘skinny’, since I was as young as I can remember I had an unhealthy attitude towards food. Looking back, it’s almost no surprise that, at the young age of 13, I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.
Surviving on half a dry Weetabix a day, it didn’t matter how much my parents pleaded, how painful my protruding ribs felt, the very thought of putting food in my mouth absolutely terrified me. As my body began to shut down, I was told my heart could stop at any time – there was more the doctors could do for me. At the point, I knew only I could make a change.
And so I did. Realising if I had the power to literally stop eating, my strong mind was capable of anything. Discovering a new approach called NLP, also known as neuro-linguistic programming, also known as ‘a manual on how to control your own thoughts’, I decided I was no longer anorexic. I began to eat. Real, calorie dense food. For the very first time in my life, I entered a gym. Choosing to see food as fuel, I become hungry to build a body and mind that was thriving, not merely surviving.
I’m not saying it was easy, nothing worth having ever is. I remember the terror as I sat down to my first real meal, the mental battle endured to swallow each bite. But, with each mouthful, there was also a smile, a voice inside, cheering me on.
It’s that voice that continues to encourage me today. Everytime I step out of comfort zone, set myself a new goal, it reminds me I can do anything I put my mind to. I wouldn’t wish the experience on my worst enemy – yet, in a funny way, I’m glad I went through it. I now know there’s nothing life can throw at me I can’t handle, and it has made me the strong, healthy, positive person I am today.
Motivating factors
To be as fit, capable and healthy at 75 years old as my windsurfing, motorbike racing Grandpa!
Biggest challenge
Learning my own strength.
Kitchen equipment I couldn’t live without
Laptop – to order my Deliveroo!
Health & fitness goal
To be stronger than no one else but the person I was yesterday.
My health tips
Listen to your body, don’t get caught up in fads. Just because someone is promoting gluten free/dairy free/wheat free etc doesn’t necessarily mean it’s healthier, it’s just what suits them.
Food I can’t resist
Ole and Steen cinnamon social. If you know, you know!
Favourite healthy food
Halo Top. Barebells Protein bars. Rhythm 108 ‘Super Coconut’. Just discovered a new protein cheesecake from Buff Bakery which is an absolute gamechanger.
Favourite exercise
Chest press – yes, girls can lift weights too!
Follow Hannah’s Journey
Read all Hannah’s blog posts here > |Twitter @hannahfuller21 | Instagram @hannahfuller21