I Didn’t Join the Gym to Lose Weight… But It Changed Everything

How showing up consistently changed my mindset, my health, and how I feel in my clothes. I didn’t join MYP Gym because I was feeling motivated.

It actually started with a moment I couldn’t ignore.

Stepping on the scales… and seeing a number that didn’t feel like me on a trip to New Zealand in October 2024 that shocked me but it took 3 months before I actually made the decision for things to change.
Over that summer I felt like all my clothes fit too tight and I just felt uncomfortable in my own skin, bloated and just puffy looking.

There was more going on beneath the surface

This wasn’t just about weight.

I’m in that peri-menopause phase… and if you know, you know (have a read of my other blog article “ Breaking the Silence: My Real-Life Experience with Peri-Menopause”)

On top of that, I’ve had half my thyroid removed.
So staying healthy isn’t just a phase, its paramount to me wellbeing. I don’t want to rely on medication if I can help it.
I want to feel like I’m doing what I can to support my body first.

And then there’s family history of heart disease is in my family… and I’ve already had a few early warning signs.

That was a bit of a wake-up call. Not in a dramatic, panic way. But enough to make me stop and think — I need to take this seriously.

The shift I didn’t expect

Walking into something new is never easy. But I showed up anyway.

Not perfectly. Twice per week for strength training and occasionally the Engine session on Saturday. But consistently week after week! And that’s where everything started to change. My body scan showed that I had lost body fat and gain muscle mass and the graph was heading in the right direction. I have never been obsessed with the number on the scales, but with measurements. As a stylist I always get my clients to take their measurements - why. Having measurement means you know what size to look for when buying online (as sizes in different brands vary so much). But if you are on a path to losing some weight, how awesome is it to put on those tight jeans and they aren’t tight any longer or take your measurements and see a change.

It wasn’t just strength I gained

Yes — I’ve gotten stronger. And yes — I feel fitter.

But the biggest shift? My mindset.

There’s something about showing up for yourself each week that builds a quiet confidence. The kind that doesn’t scream… but you feel it. You start trusting yourself again. Backing yourself again. And that flows into everything else in life.

The part I didn’t realise I needed

The people.

I didn’t expect to find a little cheer squad. Women & men who support you, encourage you, and genuinely want to see you do well.

It’s not competitive.
It’s not intimidating.

It’s actually… really grounding.

From showing up… to speaking up

One of those full-circle moments?

Being asked to be a guest speaker on MYP Gym’s podcast.

If you had told me that when I first walked in… I would have laughed.

But that’s what happens when you start showing up consistently.
You grow — in ways you didn’t plan for.

Why I’m sharing this

Because this was never just about the gym.

It was about choosing myself again.

Looking after my health.
Supporting my body through this stage of life.
And not ignoring the signs anymore.

Even in a small way.
Even when I didn’t feel like it.

And interestingly… it’s changed how I feel in my clothes too.

Things fit differently.
But more than that — I feel different in them.

More comfortable.
More confident.
More like myself again.

Which, if you know me, is everything.

Because style was never just about the clothes.
It’s how you feel when you wear them.

If you’re curious…

If you’re local and have been thinking about starting something, I can honestly say MYP Gym has been such a positive space for me.

👉 Check them out here:
👉 Listen to the podcast episode:

If you’re also in that stage where nothing feels quite right in your wardrobe…you’re not alone.

Sometimes it’s not about buying more.
It’s about understanding what works for you now — your body, your lifestyle, your stage of life.

That’s exactly what I help my clients with.

Cath x