Finding My Ikigai
Coach Pip;
I’m nominating Ruth because in just over 3 months shes transformed into a highly determined, resilient, strong, lean, very fit and supremely confident women. When I first met Ruth she told me she needed something new to focus on. Her son was growing up, so she was starting to experience empty nest syndrome along with the very common ‘post-summer-fun’ weight gain.
Initially, it was Ruth’s husband who found DayOne and encouraged Ruth to book in for a wellbeing screen. At the screen, we identified Ruth’s goals and I shared with her an Ikigai diagram (below). I explained how prioritising her own wellbeing would almost certainly lead her to discover her own ikigai as she’d learn new things about herself during the process.
Image credit: Genius U
Ruth;
What motivated you to contact DayOne in the first place?
I was looking for something different! I wanted to lose weight and get fit but needed some inspiration and a new adventure. Back in September, for the first time in many years, I had a lot more time available to invest in myself, which to start with seemed strange and a bit indulgent! But I soon got my head around that with the Day One programme. After the initial screening, I was motivated and up for the next 12 weeks.
What goal did you set out to achieve?
I thought my goal was to lose weight and get fit but I began to realise over the programme that I was learning and achieving much more about well being and perhaps, most significantly, in a sustainable way.
Have you achieved your goal?
Yes, I have lost some weight and I am definitely fitter. I am really pleased about this but I am even more delighted that I feel that I now have the right mindset to keep going. I don’t feel that I have been ‘on a diet’. I know what sort of things to eat and I am more relaxed about what I eat and drink (now drinking full fat milk, never thought I would say that!) I can go to restaurants and make wise choices or sometimes not so wise but don’t have that feeling of falling off the wagon and giving up. It’s quite empowering! And much to the delight and amusement of my family, I have discovered cooking! I am now experimenting with different menus and getting a box of weird and wonderful vegetables delivered each week.
That’s just the nutrition. I feel I achieved a lot more in terms of lifestyle habits - things like leaving my phone downstairs at night - simple things but effective.
I really enjoyed the weekly talks which Pip does in such an engaging, non-patronising way 🙂 They made me think and reflect. I also valued the slow drip approach of one topic each week, I am sure that has helped make the changes permanent.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your younger self or others wanting to progress their wellbeing?
Invest the time! The programme does require commitment and I was slightly sceptical about whether I would stick at it for 12 weeks but it was easy to go back each week and I think the duration has made the achievements more ingrained.
What does the next year hold for you?
I plan to carry on with my new well being! To help with that, I have set myself some goals - half marathon at end of March, Jurassic Coast Walk in June and Hadrian’s Wall in August - looking forward to the next year! 🙂
Coach Pip Concludes;
Due to holiday’s, our signature Recalibrate Wellbeing programme took a little over 4 months to complete but it was worth it! Ruth lost over 5.5% body fat, her blood pressure came down from a pre-hypertension range to a very healthy almost athlete range, she lost 7cm from her waist and a further 6cm from her hips and the best part is, Ruth’s life is vibrant again! She’s back running and has completed numerous Park Run’s a very hilly 10km and is set to complete the 10KM winter run as well as a 1/2 marathon later in the year!
Congratulations Ruth what you’ve achieved is incredible and it’s been a joy to watch you become more and more empowered each week!
Pip & The BBSF Team
Educate yourself first. Empower others through your actions. Exceed together!
We’re creating a national movement to ‘Recalibrate’ the Wellbeing of over 100,000 people in the UK from overweight and overwhelmed to overflowing with body confidence and vibrant mental health. Find out more here.
