The Wellness in Everyday Blog Ep.1

Jaunts, Jabs and Nervous System

I thought I'd share a review of some stuff I've been up to with  my health and  wellness in 2025, and suffice to say, it’s been very up and down.

I’ve done quite a bit of travelling this year: Scandinavia, Norfolk, Cornwall, Ireland and Austria, with a few day trips here and there close to home.

“A change is as good as a rest.”

My mum used to say this. I used to think, what a silly saying. Actually… I really agree with her. Sometimes putting a different view in front of your eyeballs instead of the same old everyday things is really powerful. It makes you feel good.

It’s good to see different things, hear different noises, meet different people. And I don’t know about you, but it helps me appreciate my environment and the world around me. It keeps me focused, stops me from thinking too far ahead, or spending all my time thinking about the past when I could just enjoy what’s happening right now.

There’s loads of evidence that being in new surroundings is good for you, rather than being isolated or feeling low. Big tick for me.

I also decided to look into the weight loss injectables.

The Jab

I’ve always believed in doing your own research when it comes to health and wellbeing. Take information from scientists, influencers, whatever, and then experiment a bit for yourself. That way you know what works for you. And that’s what I encourage everyone to do.

Right now, everyone’s talking about them . Weight Watchers are including it, coaches are all over it. So I had a think about what I wanted for myself, because, well… I do have a problem with weight.

Before buying the jab, I went to my usual GP. He encouraged me to get some blood tests and discuss my suitability. To my surprise, he said my bloods were fine and I was 100% suitable, and then hit me with the kicker: I couldn’t have the jab because they couldn’t prescribe it.

Even now, things have changed a bit, but I still don’t fit the criteria. I’m in the right weight category, but I don’t have the other illnesses required.

Fair enough, I thought. So I went to a reputable high-street pharmacy instead. Didn’t want the internet — wanted to be sure I was getting the real thing and have some recourse if needed. Not that online pharmacists aren’t good, that’s just my choice, and that’s what I’d advise anyone doing this: find your own way, do your own research.

What I went for it

I’ve always struggled with thinking about food constantly. Even though I am a nutritionist and know what to eat and how it affects my body, it didn’t stop the food noise in my head or the emotional attachment I have to food.

So I decided: in for a penny, in for a pound, let’s see what happens.

If you believe everything on social media and TV, you’d think it’s instant, dramatic weight loss with horrific side effects — horrible faces, bone loss, muscle loss, all that jazz. For me? Not at all. And for many people I know, it hasn’t been.

I wanted to share my experience so you can make your own mind up.

How I've used it

I see it as a triangle: The  jab, protein, and movement, especially strength exercises. None of them work on their own. Protein alone won’t shift weight. Exercise alone won’t. And the jab alone? Not enough either.

Over a few months, I’ve lost between half a pound and a pound a week — perfect for me. Side effects have been minimal. A few gut issues at the start, digestion slowed down, but actually that helped with my IBS (or functional digestive disorder, as it’s now called). A little heartburn initially, but all sorted now. And nothing a good burp or fart couldn’t fix

Protein — I bloody love protein. I have a portion with every meal. Anyone getting older, anyone generally trying to manage health, take note: it matters.

And kettlebells? Who knew I’d love them? They’ve become essential in my strength routine. My leg strength and mobility weren’t great, but now I walk as much as possible, on uneven pavements and hills, and sometimes do seated Pilates, which I adore because you can literally do it in the kitchen. I’m getting stronger every day. Win-win, just from experimenting.

Funding them is an issue with when it’s not prescribed by the NHS — it’s expensive. But my daughter said something brilliant:

“Mum, if money is for anything, surely health is one thing you could spend it on.”

So I took that on board. I’ve cut back on other spending and prioritised my health. I’m not saying this jab is for everyone — absolutely not — and I’d never advise anyone to take it without proper medical guidance, especially if your BMI is under 35.

Anxiety, the nervous system and calm

Over the years, anxiety gave me a phobia about driving. I’ve had CBT twice. I can drive now, including on motorways, but I still hate being driven — horrible for the other person, because I can be a dreadful backseat driver. Something I’ll keep working on.

Anxiety hits the nervous system hard. We know cortisol can trigger inflammation if it’s sustained, and on top of that, ultra-processed food doesn’t help. So creating calm has been a focus this year. Not easy, I’m not going to lie.

I used to meditate every day, but mostly haven’t this year. What I have been doing is training to be a meditation teacher. Hopefully that will make meditation a more regular habit in 2026, with big benefits for anxiety and inflammation.

Reflections and small habits

One thing I’ve really reflected on in 2025 is that I haven’t had to test something new all the time to create wellness. I haven’t had to think,

“Oh my God, I’ve got to start a new diet on Monday,”

or start this or that. It’s just been a case of small habits: just adding in the protein, just doing the kettlebell sessions, just being aware that the next walk would be a good opportunity to spend more time with friends and appreciate it, and not worry about the food we eat when we go out.

It’s been about making everyday things about wellness and appreciating all those things that can help, like gardening, taking the dog out for a walk, and being outside.

It’s also been about creating awareness of how these habits make me feel. If that’s not good, then it’s an opportunity to change, and if it’s great, then that’s a win.

Enjoy Christmas in whatever way you celebrate, and see you in 2026.

the weight wise blog

A few weeks ago, I shared on my social media platforms how much I’ve been struggling with my weight.

I wondered if anyone would be interested in following my weight loss journey, and the response was a resounding "yes"!

          A Bit About Me

When I was younger (and by younger, I mean my teenage and early adult years), I was incredibly slim. In fact, my nickname at school was "Skinny." So, it really took me by surprise when the weight started creeping on.

The first time I truly noticed was when I was chief bridesmaid for one of my best friends. I had to order a larger dress than the other girls. Around the same time, I needed to use my clothing allowance at work and, again, I found myself going up a size. That was the beginning of a long, long journey of dieting.

Over the years, I’ve had moments of success. I joined a slimming club, which worked well for a time, especially when I got engaged. Having a wedding to plan kept me focused, and by the time I walked down the aisle, I felt fit and fabulous in my beautiful dress.

Then, a few years later, I had my daughter. By that point, I had already started gaining some weight, but after her birth, I managed to get back on track. Breastfeeding helped, and with the support of a slimming club, I reached a healthy weight again, feeling great both physically and mentally.

However, it’s been 24 years since I was pregnant and maintaining that weight has been a constant battle. My struggles really hit hard during the Covid pandemic. Like many others, I became increasingly aware of how important my health is, which was one of the reasons I decided to pivot from what I was doing in my life and train to become a trained coach in health and nutrition

          Where Am I Now?

Well, I’m still classed as obese according to the NHS definition.

It’s a tough pill to swallow, but I’m determined to make my health a priority.

It’s a work in progress, but I’ve made a promise to myself that enough is enough. My main focus now is health management – not just for the sake of losing weight, but for my overall well-being.

As a coach, my goal is to help others make informed, evidence-based choices. That’s exactly what I’m doing for myself as well. The journey hasn’t been easy, and I’ve certainly had my ups and downs, but I’m making small changes, bit by bit. I hope that by sharing what I’m doing – from food choices to lifestyle changes – it might inspire you to make your own healthy decisions.

          My Progress So Far

Let’s talk numbers, shall we?

3 weeks ago I visited one of my best friends who has had a stroke. He is making a fabulous recovery. Prior to his stroke he had lost 5 stone and it’s possible that this has helped his recovery. His wife has also lost 3.5 stone and is more agile with less digestive issues.

I had been sitting there thinking I have the knowledge and the wherewithal to do this but have been ‘playing at it’ a bit and not using my skills or that of others.

So I did tons of research looking at my own techniques and training, slimming clubs, protein shake programmes and science.

For the first week I cooked most of my meals from scratch and made conscious decisions when eating out. I avoided things like chips or dishes smothered in cream. I chose a way which didn’t depend pn counting or restriction. it involved just eating food I enjoy and considering the impact my efforts would have on my physical well-being and didn’t affect me emotionally by making me feel restricted and deprived.

The result? I lost 8lbs (3.6kg).

Week 2 This week was a bit trickier because I was on holiday in Devon. I was mostly eating out, but my host was understanding, and I managed to make fairly good choices. I did have two small glasses of alcohol and a bit of chocolate on the train, but overall, I kept my weight gain to under 1lb (0.4kg). Not bad for a holiday week!

Total loss: 7.04lbs (3.2kg).

Week 3 Normally, after a big loss in week one, I tend to slip up around week two. However, since that didn’t happen due to the holiday, I thought week three would be smooth sailing. How wrong I was! It was a tricky. I asked my daughter to pick up some chocolates from the local retail outlet and I ended up eating them every single day. On top of that, I bought some divine biscuits from a farm shop – and yes, I indulged in those daily too. I have enjoyed them very much. they did make me feel sluggish, though so luckily I also ate a lot of fresh stuff including fish, vegetables, lentils, rice, pasta, salad, fruits and vegetables. I weighed in and I stayed the same.

Total loss: 7.04lbs(3.2kgs).

             My journey and YOU

The reality is, this journey is full of highs and lows. I’ve learned that setbacks are just part of the process. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about making progress, no matter how slow it might feel at times.

This journey IS one step at a time. Whether you’re starting your own health journey or just looking for a bit of motivation, I hope my story resonates with you and hope you will feel inspired to make changes.