It’s been a few years of putting myself last. As a mum, wife and therapist, everyone else comes first — and I’m not complaining, because I have a wonderful family, husband, children, friends and clients. But that’s just the way I am. Always worrying about my loved ones, always trying to make everyone happy, always learning more because somewhere deep down I didn’t feel good enough.
Focused on my kids, my work, my home. Setting up plans I could never stick to. Always finding excuses: my husband is waiting for me to eat so I can’t go to the gym… my dog is home alone so I can’t go swimming… I need to lose weight before I buy new clothes… we have visitors so I can’t start fasting now… it’s barbecue season, I can’t stop the wine.
Excuse after excuse, year after year.
And slowly, my health started to decline. Nothing dramatic — no illness — but a constant tiredness, poor sleep, zero motivation, no consistency, low fitness. And 15kg creeping on over ten years. Turning 50, entering perimenopause, and heading in the wrong direction. Learning about menopause wasn’t exactly reassuring either.
Then came 2025. I decided to make a change — and promptly signed up to run a half marathon with my daughter Marine and my goddaughter Edel, with barely two months to train and a fitness level that was, let’s say, humble. I barely trained. But my mind is strong and I refused to disappoint them, so I showed up and I finished it. Slowly. Proudly.
Three days later, I tripped, twisted my ankle and broke my leg. Six weeks in a boot, months of physio, and a year on my ankle still isn’t perfect.
So 2026 became the year I decided to do things differently. Not crazy. Not overnight. Slowly, steadily, and in a way that actually fits my life.
I knew intermittent fasting was right for me — I’d tried it before but never quite cracked it. So I went back to basics, reread Gin Stephens’ books, joined her community, and spent January and February experimenting to find what worked. Since mid-March I’ve been following an evening eating window, and it’s been surprisingly easy. No packed lunches to think about, just coffee, water and my new obsession — sparkling water. I open my window around 5 or 6pm, have dinner and a snack, and on Sundays I shift to a longer brunch-to-dinner window. Simple.
The key thing I finally understood: clean fasting. No milk in the coffee. That one change made everything easier.
I also got consistent at the gym — strength training, HIIT, cycling — and something shifted. I stopped looking for excuses not to go. I actually want to go. I love when my daughter Marine comes with me and pushes me (kindly). I’m getting stronger every week and I can feel it.
Then about six weeks ago, I stopped drinking alcohol. A glass or two of wine every evening had become a habit — sometimes more when out with friends. After a wonderful but indulgent trip to Nice, I decided to give it a break. The truth is, even one glass was ruining my sleep. So I downloaded an app called Try Dry, and every evening I tap to log another dry day. Over a month in and I haven’t felt this good in years.
Today — 8th June 2026 — I’m full of energy, emotionally balanced, and sleeping beautifully. I’ve lost 7kg. And this morning, I squeezed back into five summer dresses — three of which I haven’t worn in four years.
That felt worth writing about.
I still have work to do. My lower back has been a persistent problem, worsened by returning to treatments and long hours sitting — but I’m trying a new approach and I’ll share more if it works.
For now I just wanted to say: it’s never too late. It takes a decision, a strong why, consistency and patience. I’m not at the finish line, but I’m on the right track — and I’m genuinely enjoying the journey.
More soon. 🌿
Tissy x