Have you ever had the experience of finally understanding something as whole? Not just each individual part, but how they all come together and just “click”?
I remember when I first learnt about photography, having to comprehend the effects of shutter speeds and apertures, focal lengths and film speeds, it all just didn’t “fit” together. Each component could be understood and explained individually, but as soon as I was presented with a scene to capture, it all just morphed into confusion and contradictions! Then, one day …. it all just clicked!
I finally understood how to balance them all together exactly how I wanted them to. A fuller, more refined understanding of the parts of a camera resulted in me being able to actually capture the image that I was seeing in mind. Balancing all of these little variables and inputs correctly resulted in my photography art: something I was proud of and something that people around me responded to!
I’ve pretty much had that same experience over the last few months, but this time it was with my body! All of the elements that I’ve been fighting with over the last 27 years finally seem to make a little bit of sense, and when you learn how to balance them and work with them in a way that benefits the rest of the system you can get mind blowing results. Results you’re proud of, and results that other people respond to!
The last 9 months have been a wild ride, but before we get too far into the details let me tell you a little bit more about where I was at 9 months ago.
I was ‘gym-going’ girl with good intentions, leading a ‘healthy’ lifestyle. I was stressed but I was “happy”. However, I wasn’t satisfied with where I was at in life, especially with my body. I felt heavy, I had low energy. We were working too hard and I was super stressed out. Despite still being in my 20’s I felt more and more like I was getting “old”. Overall I was just uninspired, out of balance and in default survival mode. I’ve always been optimistic, but all these feelings were there weighing me down like an overloaded backpack – not the way you really want to be – trudging through life (even if it is with a smile on your face).
Fast forward 6 months and so much has changed. I feel strong, I feel balanced and I feel young again!
I’ve always known and understood things about nutrition, exercise and all of the things that make up a healthy body and mind, but it seems like its all finally clicked together in way that I’ve always been aiming for and I can honestly say I’ve resolved my food and body issues for life! (how’s that something to confidently admit?)
I’d love to share some of my journey with you. I know we’re all different, but maybe some of what I’ve learnt about my body could benefit some of you out there. I’m by no means perfect, and definitely haven’t “made it” but I have had a lifestyle transformation over the past few months, and I finally feel like I’m on the path with my body that I’d like to stay on for the rest of my life.
It took a lot of bravery to post these progress pictures but here they are:
1) May 2016 2) July 2016 3) November 2016
Posts to come:
- Getting strong and fit
- Food and nutrition
If you have any questions and comments feel free to send them through.
30 Comments
Candice
February 15, 2017 at 6:29 am<3 <3 <3 Here's to 2017 being a year filled with MORE breakthrough, and balanced boy love!
emmajane
February 15, 2017 at 6:54 amYes to body love!
Candice
February 27, 2017 at 5:37 amhahaha that is what I meant… BODY love, not boy love. But that would be nice too haha
Lindy
February 15, 2017 at 6:32 amEmma! What an inspiring post! You look absolutely amazing! Look forward to the next two posts. Xxx
emmajane
February 15, 2017 at 6:55 amThank you Lindy!
Belinda Kitney-Meij
February 15, 2017 at 6:51 amSo awesome! I’m busy going through a similar experience. Started crossfit and slowly seeing and feeling how I’m changing although mentally I’m feeling so much stronger and better already! Keep going!
emmajane
February 15, 2017 at 6:56 amAmazing B! It really is a process but it’s so amazing to start understanding your body and feeling those differences! Well done on Crossfit!
Claudia
February 15, 2017 at 7:02 amYou are looking absolutely incredible! So inspiring 🙂 I look forward to the posts that are to come! 😊
Nadia
February 15, 2017 at 7:19 amSo inspiring! Feel like I’m at the same place you were 9 months ago and really excited about going on a health journey of my own. Looking forward to the rest of your posts!
Jenna Kelly
February 15, 2017 at 7:23 amYES! YES TO ALL OF THIS! Can’t wait for the rest…
Robyn
February 15, 2017 at 7:28 amSo inspiring! Looking forward to more!!!
Mar
February 15, 2017 at 7:29 amSoooo inspiring! Just what I needed today. Thank you!
Amy
February 15, 2017 at 7:47 amYou look incredible!! This is what I aspire to feel .. “I feel strong, I feel balanced”.
Look forward to hearing more about your journey.
Asta
February 15, 2017 at 8:10 amYou. Look. Amazing. Really looking forward to your follow-up posts!
Tori
February 15, 2017 at 9:12 amCongrats Em – I am needing some inspo so very excited for your journey and to be inspired. Would love to know about diet/routine detail and about energy levels etc. You look gorge x
Lisa
April 15, 2017 at 3:35 ami would also love to know about your diet/routine and energy levels xx
Rachel Kiggan
February 15, 2017 at 9:15 amAh wow! Just the inspiration I didn’t know I needed. Thank you for sharing. And for using attainable words like ‘balance’ and ‘energy’. Would love to hear more about the specifics of your journey thus far! Xx
Jess
February 15, 2017 at 10:29 amWow! I bet you’re feeling as amazing as you’re looking! What an inspiration, thank you. I needed that today. Looking forward to reading how you did this. 🙂
Heather
February 15, 2017 at 10:30 amWow! Loved following your progress on Insta, very inspiring!
Judy
February 15, 2017 at 11:11 amI remember seeing that progress photo and hearing how proud you were of yourself, but how scared you were to share. Congrats on bravely going where you have not gone before, both physically and emotionally! <3
Robyn Swart
February 15, 2017 at 12:56 pmWow EJ! You look fantastic! Cannot wait for the next 2 posts… I would love to see how you balance it all ito nutrition and fitness (especially while not starving yourself). Well done! Xxx
Cass Ferguson
February 15, 2017 at 2:57 pmWell done Emma and thank you for sharing ! Honestly , I think this may be the little kick off that I need to get focused on getting my health on track. Esp, since struggling (& overcoming) anxiety & depression – I know that an overal healthy lifestyle will help make all the areas “click” and fit and feed into one another 🙂
Can’t wait to follow your journey X
Leanne
February 15, 2017 at 2:59 pmWell done!! You really look amazing!!
Tessa
February 15, 2017 at 4:58 pmJust Wow!
Inge Viljoen
February 15, 2017 at 5:07 pmEmma, this is soooo inspiring!
You look fantastic!
x
Elmarie
February 15, 2017 at 6:53 pmOh wow! Thanks so much for opening up and being honest! Its refreshing to read a post about health where the goal isnt “skinny” but health and wellness! Im a mom and workouts are hard and few. I promised myself 2017 will be off wellness and well being! Thanks for inspiring me and sharing your journey xxx
Catriona Boffard
February 15, 2017 at 8:39 pmEmma, you were beautiful from the start… But your journey of self-love is inspiring. Thank you for honestly and openly sharing. I can’t wait to see what you post next.
Catriona Boffard
February 15, 2017 at 8:40 pmEmma you were beautiful from the the start… But your journey to self-love is more inspiring than your results. I can’t wait to read the next post.
Sandi B.
February 17, 2017 at 10:37 amThanks for sharing. I feel like I am at the stage where you were 9 months ago. I don’t hate my body, but I don’t love it. And I also feel like I know all the things I should be doing exercise and diet-wise…but it hasn’t clicked for me yet. Looking forward to your next posts to see what helped you.
Lisa
April 14, 2017 at 11:48 pmThank you so much for sharing your story and pics. It certainly does take a lot of bravery!
Absolutely everything that you said resonates with me, i cannot wait to see your next post on this. Please, please, don’t let it be too long.
xx