On Becoming a New Me | The first step to getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.

Some of you might remember that 5 months ago I started on the journey to becoming a new me. As the saying goes "New Year, new me"...only this time it really was going to be a new me. I was determined.

I posted a picture similar to the one above on a social media site (in fact it was the top half of this picture on its own) when I began on my journey with a long caption underneath it. Normally, a photo like this is one that I would never even contemplating sharing with anyone, let alone posting it online.

Today, 5 months on, I posted the above photo on the same social media site with a slightly different, but just as long, caption underneath it.

The first photo I posted, was taken at the end of January. That was me then. The lower half of the above photo?

This is me now.

In my entirety.

As I have said before in numerous places, my weight is something that has always bothered me, but more than that my body is something that I have always, always been disgusted by. This year I made the decision to start again and unlike previous years, to stick to it.

And I have.

I really have made some significant changes and started to do things for myself, not least the fact that I now find it odd if I don't go out for at least an hour walk/jog every other day! (This would previously unheard of!)

It hasn't been easy and I know it won't be for the foreseeable future but I am so thankful to my friends, old and new, for their constant support and love.

I am moving on with my life and doing things I never thought I could and without all of you, I know that this wouldn't be possible.

This photo is me at the end of January and me now, and I have now lost nearly 2 Stone (28 lbs) since then.

I am slowly increasing my exercise plan to continue to gradually improve my fitness and I am already noticing differences in my stamina and how I feel as a person. I have discovered that I can actually run (granted only after spending a small fortune on a proper sports bra! -___- ). I'm working hard to battle my depression and anxiety. My eating habits have changed and I find myself even feeling better just for that.

I really am beginning to feel the benefits of working on sorting my life out in general and what's better, is that I know that I am doing it for me, and no one else and I actually feel somewhat proud of myself for it for the first time in a long time.

I know this photo is still far from what is often accepted as beautiful and far from the "norm" in terms of sexy but it is me, and I am slowly becoming more and more proud of who I am.

I'm taking baby steps but I am definitely on my way.