Your brain may cheat you, but your body will always be honest

Last September, I wrote my first article about starting my weight loss journey as a type one diabetic (you can read this article by clicking here). In one year, this self-proclaimed ‘exercise amateur’ now knows the ins and outs of exercise.

At first, I never imagined I would be able to persist for so long. My initial goal was to accomplish six months; six months later, the new goal was ten months. Now, I’ve come to realise that it’s become a habit – I no longer need goals by months, because I’ve truly found a love for exercise and challenge.

Throughout this process, I was never really too hard on myself; holding onto the mind-set that I was doing this purely for health and happiness. I ate freely, enjoying everything I loved. However, through exercise, I learnt to control myself and accept my physique. I relished at the increased control I felt over body as I built muscle over time, and accepted my imperfections more and more.

When I first arrived in the gym, I was jealous of people even older than myself but with better lines, strength and physiques than me. Slowly but surely, I realised exercise was a fair master. As long as you persevere, you’ll always see the reward. Endurance and strength will all increase slowly, and your body will slowly change with it.

People say exercise is the best thing for your body, but really, I’ve found it’s the best thing for my mind. Especially as a diabetic, exercise has been an important part of controlling my illness; my doctor gave me the highest praise saying, ‘Out of all the patients I’ve seen, you’re the best at controlling your diabetes.’

Looking back to when I was in middle school, I couldn’t even run 800m without getting out of breath and needing to stop and rest. Now, my 10 minute warmup is at least 1km. I have no doubt that my old classmates and PE teacher would not believe that I am the same person as that unfit 14 year old girl.

All in all, I have a few thoughts to share with you all:

• Your goals should be realistic
• Your mind-set should be calm, not rushed
• Your goals should be based on current circumstances
• You shouldn’t put all the emphasis on the results 
• A habit should be built gradually
• A beginner can one day become an expert
• Exercise will make your body and soul happier
• It’ll increase your immunity
• Just because you don’t like it at first doesn’t mean that’ll last forever
• Do not give up because starting again is excruciating 
• Your brain may cheat you, but your body will always be honest
• Everything comes down to persistence

Losing weight is not a linear journey. They’ll be challenges, difficulties and days where you feel like you’re getting nowhere; stuck in a circular loop with no way out. You may never be the best, but the most important thing, is that you’ll see and feel yourself become a better version of who you once were.