Chloe Ting's 28 Day Flat Tummy Challenge: An Introduction

How do I even begin this? I'm not used to blogging - in fact, I've never blogged in my entire life. I'm a college student (16), and the closest I've come to writing a blog is my 2019 GCSE English Language exam. But I'll give it a try. For the "lols".
     First, let me explain something - I'm not new to fitness. Far from it. Around June 2018, I decided that I wasn't happy with my level of fitness or health. You see, I'm 4 foot 11 inches, and I weighed 10 stone 4 pounds (which in case you didn't know, is overweight for my height). I was determined to become healthier. In my case it wasn't completely for aesthetics, it was mainly for the way I felt (stodgy, unhappy, bloated). I ate a lot of junk food; I'd come in from school and just SNACK. I decided it was time to make some changes, so as a long-time animal lover, the first decision I made was for me to give meat up and become vegetarian. Along with that, I ate smaller portions, I completely stopped snacking, I cut out all sweets and chocolate. And when I tell you I felt in incredible, I mean it. In 6-12 months I lost 2 stone, dropping to 8 stone 4 pounds. Around 1 year and 6 months later I weigh the exact same. Now, don't get me wrong, I fluctuate. Doesn't everyone? It's perfectly normal, and I try not to let it get me down. But I kept the weight off. And I'm incredibly proud of myself.

     For a while, however, I stopped working out, due to my GCSEs and other stressful events going on in my life. Although I was unhappy about it, I just found it difficult to fit in and I especially struggled to gain any motivation. Over this past month, I've been getting back into working out. I've been going to the gym, I've been doing some stuff at home again - but I've not been completely satisfied. That's when I came across Chloe Ting. Her free challenges were a blessing. I attempted to start the 2 week challenge, but I stupidly began it at a difficult time, and health issues got in the way. I had a break, and thought I'd "weight" it out (get it, get it?). Now, I'm determined to start her 28 day flat tummy challenge, to help build up the muscle group I've always struggled with. Abs. Ah, the dreaded abdominal muscles. I've always struggled with a little extra weight on my lower stomach, which in all honestly bothers me sometimes (probably once a month, if you get me), but on the whole I'm usually very confident in my body. I love my legs, my stretch marks, my waist, my hips, my arms, my thighs, my chest. Everything. I must reiterate that as an A Level student, I suffer a lot of stress, and I also must admit I don't deal with it very well. This challenge is my hope for finding a way to reduce that stress and work on my fitness. I think it'll be a great outlet for after a long day at college or a long day of studying.

     This blog will mainly talk about how I feel my body is reacting to the challenge. The ups, the downs, the walls, the break throughs. I've found that how I look to myself in the mirror, is merely a reflection of how I feel about myself. If I feel good, I look good. I'm sure many of you will think "well, duh, of course it is". Let me tell you, as a teenager, I may know it's true, but it wasn't always something I considered or believed. There's plenty who don't build it into their work ethic, and that's because self-love is a concept that's so difficult to understand in today's society - what with all the judgement and expectations.

     Oops, got kinda deep there.

     Well enjoy, as I knacker myself out every day trying to build some Dwayne Johnson abs hell yeaahhhhh.