Pivoting True-Life
I ditched fish Friday after ashock picture made me reassess everything –putting me off haddock forever…
Michaela Lines, 35, from Hull
Running across the court, I leapt in the air, caught the ball and then passed it on to a teammate.
‘Great goal,’ I cheered, as her shot swished through the net. An evening playing netball was one of my favourite pastimes.
With training and matches, in November 2018, I was on the court at least four times a week.
And when I wasn’t wearing my netball bib, I was either playing tennis or doing martial arts.
I’d never really been one for sweating it out in the gym, but sport was what kept me both happyand in shape instead.
Weighing 10st 9lbs and measuring in at 5ft 1in, I’d maintained that shape for most of my adult life, fitting into a size 8.
And at home, my partner Leon, now 35, and I didn’t eat badly. We’d have the occasional takeaway or chocolate treat.
Otherwise, my diet was balanced and whatever I did eat, I’d burn off with my chosen sports anyway.
Then, in November 2020, Leon and I were thrilled when I found out that I was expecting a baby girl.
I felt great and loved seeing my bump blossom week on week.
It was smooth sailing and I gained a stone-and-a-half as our girl grew inside of me.
Our healthy daughter Xanthe was born in June 2021, via C-section, at Hull Royal Infirmary, weighing 4lb 15oz.
Bringing her home and breastfeeding, I made sure to keep myself refuelled and energised all at the same time.
However, cooking our usual healthy meals was hard with a newborn.
Soon, I found myself polishing off entire packets of custard creams in one sitting.
Not only that, but I’d crunch through share-size crisp packets all in one go – something I never normally did.
My body was carrying extra weight
Plus, our previous occasional takeaways became a daily occurrence instead.
One night it was an Indian, the next Chinese and then we’d finish off the week with a greasy fish and chips.
The pounds quickly piled on, far more than they ever had during my pregnancy.
However, I could hardly get back on the netball court as I was still healing from my C-section with Xanthe on my chest.
By the time Xanthe was six months old, I really hated the way that I looked.
I couldn’t wear my old wardrobe – I was only managing to get my maternity clothes on.
I really couldn’t wait to get back to the netball court in January 2022.
However, it was all a little bit too soon.
I found that my body wasn’t strong enough, plus I was now carrying around all the extra weight, too.
After just six games, I wound up with an ankle injury.
