Becky W. from England is in Katja Lewis’s New Jersey cluster

“On average au pairs gain ten pounds during their year here”. I heard these words at orientation and thought, ‘nope, not me’. I wasn’t enjoying the way I was looking or feeling when I arrived so decided to do something about it; finding many different ways of working out since being in the US: kick boxing, climbing, group classes, weight lifting. One year later and I feel on top of the world but I won’t stop here. It’s so important to show the strength of women in the gym as we are often looked down on in this ‘man’s world’. It’s a lifestyle change, not just exercising but changing your daily choices. I sleep better, I eat better, everything is better! The decision to start taking care of myself during this au pair year was one of the best decisions of my life and has truly improved my actual quality of life. The amount of people commenting on how I look these days feels so good but I don’t do it for them, I do it for me. It’s only myself that can keep pushing myself forward to become the best version of me.

The most important thing is to not listen to any negativity. The key is positivity and to surround yourself with positive people. If people don’t wish to support you, then wish them luck and step away from that. To grow as a person and to push your body in ways you didn’t know you could needs a lot of mental strength; mind over matter.. so don’t listen to those people saying “you can’t”. Let’s them watch as you can and you will.

#BEBOLDFORCHANGE

The one on the left is when I first arrived in the US in January 2016 and the one on the right is me now in February 2017.

The one on the left is when I first arrived in
the US in January 2016 and the one on the right is me now in February 2017.