After years watching her sporty daughters from the sidelines, Rachel Lienerth is the role model she always wanted to be...
As ruby and Jessie went through their kickboxing drills, it was almost like watching a dance routine. my daughters, then 11 and seven, had started practising the sport six months earlier, and I loved seeing them put so much skill and care into kicking and punching the air. But alongside my pride in my strong, beautiful girls,I felt sadness. I was the only parent sitting on a bench at the back of the hall.
All the others were joining in with their children. I knew there was no way I could keep up with my two – after all, I struggled to walk upstairs without panting for breath. I’d never been slim, but my struggles began in earnest not long after I started university when I began to feel extremely tired and unwell and was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. Determined to become a teacher, I used every bit of energy I had to study, which meant I was constantly exhausted – there was nothing left for any sort of exercise, and living with my parents, I ate very hearty meals.
After graduating I moved in with my boyfriend, Mark, and carried on eating as I always had. Teaching PE lessons was more of a struggle than ever. By the time Mark proposed, I was a size 18. A year after our wedding, I fell pregnant. I was a size 20 when Ruby was born. Three years later I had Jessie – I was so busy, slimming wasn’t on my radar.
This story is from the March 19, 2018 edition of WOMAN - UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 19, 2018 edition of WOMAN - UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The benefits of waking up early
I can almost feel my daughters rolling their eyes at the thought of me writing about the joys of waking up early.
'Rylan makes me MILLIONS!
The presenter talks about his love life, professional success and his alter ego
GATSBY
He needed a home, but was Maria barking to even consider taking him in?
My mindset MAKEOVER
After losing 4st, the future is bright for Hazel James
Eat more WEIGH LESS
Feel fuller while losing weight with our exclusive plan from Slimming World
Autumn tricks YOU NEED TO KNOW
Stop cold, dark nights disturbing your sleep with these expert cheats
'HARRY WILL NOT BE BACK'
Reports of Prince Harry wanting to return to the UK and royal duties are, I’m told, ‘completely wrong’.
'I'M HONOURED to still be part of Strictly'
Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke on the hit show and why he'll never retire
Would you keep CANCER A SECRET?
Model Elle Macpherson revealed she kept her battle with the disease hidden - we find out why many others choose to do the same
'Ruth has handled the split WITH DIGNITY'
Coleen Nolan on grief, supporting Ruth Langsford through divorce and moving in with boyfriend Michael Jones