Before the New Year rolls in and all thoughts turn to plans for the year ahead, I thought it would be nice to do a quick post to look back on the past year and what I have experienced over the last 12 months.

Going back a bit further, this is me in January 2009 when I first started my long journey to healthy living!

I was 14st 10lbs, ate crap and didn’t exercise. I had very low self esteem and confidence.

This is me in January of this year, just as I started the blog. Here I weighed 11st and was just starting to get my head around eating real foods and doing effective exercise:

Here’s a quick pic of me from a couple of weeks ago:

At the moment (give or take Christmas weight gain) I’m 9st 2lbs. This year I’ve lost a further 1st 12lbs.

• I also graduated from Durham University with my MA in Community and Youth Work:

• I improved all my speeds and resistance levels on the equipment at the gym
• I started eating real foods and experimenting with my cooking, gaining more confidence and using new ingredients

• I did the Great North Run Half Marathon (when I had never done any running prior to this year)

• I became a vegetarian :-)

• Most importantly, I started and kept up writing this blog to keep me motivated and share my new love of healthy living, cooking, fitness and fashion.

Its been one hell of a great year! I think its so important to look back and remember what I have achieved, especially at times when I may feel a little de motivated.

I really hope that you have all enjoyed joining me on my journey :-)

I’m now looking ahead to the New Year, January has always been a really important time for me when it comes to starting to make big changes in my life. I have a few goals for the year ahead as well as a January challenge that I’m really looking forward to – more details to come!

How has 2010 been for you?