I have mainly done sport for competitive reasons. As a young athlete I wanted nothing more than to be a cross country skiier. This automatically relegated me to bottom of the cool list...snowboarders get Oakley and  Quicksilver- me I got pebbledash effect lycra and a balaclava. When I came to England to do my GCSEs my dad pushed me to trial for the GB cross country team (competition not too fierce) but instead of following my little dream i decided that i just wanted to fit in. Being in a new culture and place with new people and a language was more thann enough without having to explain a lycra suit and the joys of Langlaufing. The next sport that i embraced was boxing and i grabbed my pugialist dream with both hands. Nothing would get in my way this time!

This has meant that i have trained only to train. Every run i have done has been in preparation for a something. Every meal i have eaten has been noted in my head and worked out in terms of fuel. I know the exercises i need to do to maintain the correct muscles to do the job. I have never done a spinning class, never been to aerobics, never used the weights at the gym. I have a specific and exact training scheme that has worked for me, in my sport, with my body. I didnt need to diversify and if i had it may have proved detrimental. When a sport is so tightly ingrained in your life the joy of trying something new is always outweighed by risk of injury and the safety of the old fashioned tried and tested. I trained purely to get results.

I lost my motivation for a a week or two post boxing retirement. I had bad pneumonia and was in and out of the hospital before going to shops. Luckily my mojo (and lungs) are back and along with it a new found training freedom. This week i have done Power Yoga twice. I even faced my fears and went to a public class. I have got myself a swim coach and will learn to swim (or float at least). I am doing my first spin class and Arina and myself are doing Power Plates together in Harrods. Next week will be kettlebells and more yoga. Alex and me will do bikram at a great studio in Cape Town in April. Yesterday I boxed with Charlie and for the first time in ages i laughed when i messed up. I left feeling amazing not disappointed with my mistakes and conscious of my need to improve.

Tomorrow...well tomorrow will be a good old fashioned run. The first long run after recovery. Whats great is that for once I am not doing it because i have to but simply because i really want to, and that is motivation enough for me.

I watched the Olympic opening ceremony with a lump in my throat. It symbolises to me the very best that we can be. Every nation that competes is made up of athletes who have dedicated much of their lives to their sport. It is the antithesis of the football culture that we wake up to most days. Most of us can barely recognise the faces of our Olympic athletes. They dont feature on the back pages of the Sun but day in day out they are training and hoping to be the best. Vancouver paved the way for the games with symbolic outstretched arms. Their diverse cultural heritage groups welcoming the world to Canada.The Greek team has both father and daughter representation. The Georgians walked out in honour of the team member they so tragically lost. The Iranians were led by a woman. The Ghanians represent for the first time ever. Many came out with cameras in their hands hoping to capture the moment for themselves. They are pround to represent their country and excited at what lies ahead of them. For all the political and social unrest in the world the Olympics helps join us under one common love.

I cheered (sorry neighbours) as the Norwegian team made their entrance. I was proud to hear that they are the most successful nation at the winter Olympics. When i was growing up my heros were Bjorn Dahle and Johan Olav Koss. I skated in circles for hours hoping to become as fast as the man i had watched many a sunday morning on the TV. The only letter i ever wrote to Santa was to ask for Koss' skates for Christmas. They were famous not for their wives or lovers, they were not involved in scandals. They were famous because they were amazing at their sports. Dahle was a cross county skiier like no other and his 12 gold olympic medals has yet to be beaten. Koss was one of the greatest speed skaters in the world. We were in Norway during the 1994 Lillehammer games and the nation was gripped. Schools had medal tables and there were constant updates wherever you went. I can still remember finding out that Norway had won gold, silver and bronze in a ski event (i was 9 at the time) and bursting into tears of happiness. Tonight i will be watching the Alpine skiing in a rather multinational group and believe me there will a lot of betting and friendly ribbing going on!

In two years time it will be Londons turn to host the Olympic games and i am planning on being there for many events. It is something that we should be proud to host. I am excited about it, everyday. Yes it may cost money and yes we probably will have more ppl on the tube in the morning. But we will also have the greatest athletes in the world and lay host to record breaking moments. Enjoy the winter games. I certainly will.

I love boxing. To me it is not a brutal display of force but a competiton of skill and mind. It has fascinated me for the last 7years of my life and become an integral part of my London world. I have been lucky enough to train as an amateur under two of the most amazing coaches in the sport- Andre Olley and Jimmy Tibbs. Peacock Gym provided a home and structure at a time when i needed it most. I stopped boxing after 3years in the game when i punctured my kidney. I was heart broken to no longer be a fighter. I couldnt face the gym that i loved or the people that had taught me so much and so i stayed away for the best part of 6months. I returned shakily one day to say hello, embarrassed by my demise, and was greated with the same love and friendship. Under Andres guidance I took over teaching the beginners and after a year i went on to take my coaching exams at the legendary Lynn Gym in south London (a certain Lloyd Hunnigan was there too taking his exams). Andre gave me a lifeline by making me become a coach, he not only forced me to regain my own boxing prowess but he allowed me a life long relationship with the sport.

A couple of months ago, admist the 6am runs in the cold, i began to train again. Back i went into the world of mouth guards, spit buckets and cracked knuckles. I did it because i needed to know that i could. I needed confirmation, in the only form i understand, that i had regained my former fitness and strength. I needed to know that two years of illness were a thing of the past and would not stand in my future. In the last 6 months i have competed in 10 fights and won 8 of them. Last week however I officially retired as a boxer. I have had my moment and it is time to move on. My record stands to be what urban myths are made of.

What concerns me the most? That perhaps I will no longer be able to be introduced at parties as Yolly the boxer but rather just as Yolly. Instead now i have to hope that i have enough strings in my bow to ensure the same rapture. It is now a time to look forward and to build a career and future around the things that matter most to me: Empowerment through health and fitness and hopefully in doing so ill find another USP

With the second and final Fit for Free video out today i thought i would post a few photos from behind the scenes. We filmed at the iconic peacock gym in Canning Town, in keeping with our love for our British heritage. It is home to some of the finest and greatest boxers coaches and the training ground for many up and coming pros. The gym is a constant source of inspiration to me and their motto "the home of sport and friendship" certainly rings true. We were well looked after on both our visits and George ensured a constant supply of tea- which was much appreciated. The gym not only coaches to the higest level but work extensively both fundrasing for charities and also with their academy that helps combine sport with learning to help young adults gain vital qualfications.

Thanks to everyone at Peacock, to Emma Whitehouse for her amazing camera skills and of course to my glamourous assistant Claire...i think the photos highlight that we are nothing but professional in our endevour to make great videos...

I feel that two weights have lifted off my shoulders this week. The weight of expectation and that of fear. The last year for me has seemed at times like a waiting game. At times everything has been magnified by the simple fact that i never felt sure whether time really was on my side. I have often pressured myself to carry on past the closing time just in case the opportunity didnt arise again. I have felt emotions at a higher level just incase that moment didnt present itself to me a second time. I savoured moments often for their unique appearance. I havent been afraid to take what others often deemed as risks because interaction with day to day life often felt like the biggest one. I often felt alone, like i was treading water or living on quicksand. I was never totally sure when the magic carpet would be pulled from under my feet. I think this may be the first time i have ever managed to put this into words and im sure if offers a glimmer of understanding for those around me who have had to deal with me at certain times. This insecurity has meant that whilst i preach sustainablity in training I was never the best at putting it into practice. This weekend marked a one year anniversary of health for me. I am unashamed in my belief in three simple words: love, compassion and health and i am glad to build on that trio in this upcoming year. This weekend i realise that i am slowly regaining the precious commodity of time. I have time to train in a healthy and sustainable way. I want to be an athlete for the rest of my life. I want it to always be a part of me without it causing a rollercoster of injury on my body. Im looking forward to cycling trips, hiking challenges, learning to swim and some yoga...oh along with a few thousand miles of running.

We finished filming the second video last week which is due out on wednesday....we filmed at the legendary Peacock Gym in East London and were well looked after by everyone there. The building is seeped in sporting history and there were a few pros sparring on the days we were around which only added to the excitment. I love filming the videos and Emma is the most amazing director to work with. This year we have obviously been filming in winter and we have been frozen everyday. We have managed to film through snow, hail, sleet and wind oh...and a few sub zero temperatures. Its been great though and i cant wait to see what the next one is like. Whilst it is all fun there is a more serious note behind this campaign and one that is close to my heart. It is all about getting active and making activity a sustainable part of your life. We can all be healthier. The campaign has really taken off this year and every Betty seems to be full of stories of ladies that have found our campaign to be the push they needed. The weekly clubs are also now fit to burst.  I have helped women this week who havent been to the gym in 20 years and one lady who bought her last pair of trainers before i was even born. Im hoping that this week will prove to be no different. I hope that even more ladies join our Fit for Free movement and take to heart all that it stands for. Ill be out and about again this week and hope to be inspired by even more stories. 

ps - just a few behind the scenes shots x

'Slow down" isn't really a command that you want to hear when running is your passion. It belongs in the same camp as 'you need to rest" and "maybe take some time off". All three of these are valid points and often your body does need time out to rest and restore itself but they are never the less difficult rules to adhere to when you have racing and competitions on your mind. I have been forced into taking time out this week. A chest infection coupled with a hard training routine and a week of sub zero running finally caused my demise. 

The doctors keep telling me that i am too hard on myself and that it has only been a year. The thing is that i cannot simply give up the fight like that. I have always relied on my mental strength to take me to places when my physical strength failed. Even when i am broken i will always try to carry on..hopefully with a smile. This attitude is what made me an athlete. It is what led time to sporting success. It is what allowed me to win against the odds. It is the thing, i believe, that kept me going. It is what made me run marathons whilst i battled illness. 

Pushing yourself beyond your limits will always have consequences and unfortunately for me right now, those consequences can be more dangerous. I am still only just rebuilding my body. What i have realised though is that i am willing to swallow those consequences in the pursuit of being an athlete again. Im not ready to give up the fight. 

January this year is proving to be a challenging but invigorating month for me. Same time last year i was waiting on results that would determine the course of my year and potentially part of my future. Luckily i was given as much of an all clear as possible on the 30th January 2009. This led me to alter my diet and my dedication to optimum health. I make a conscious effort everyday to be as healthy as possible. Somedays i fall short of ideal but on the whole i have increased my knowledge of health and nutrition a hundred fold over the last twelve months and put that knowledge into practice. I have also spent the last year vainly attempting to rebuild my strength and fitness. In my day to day life people call me an athlete. At times this makes me uncomfortable because i know where i used to be and just how far i have to go. The ways and hours that i formally gave to training are far greater than what i currently do know. I watch my boyfriend and love the fact that he is a total sports freak. He trains harder and stronger than many people that i know. He has adapted his life to incorporate his athletic aims and sporting goals. Sometimes it pains me to watch not because i am envious but because i cannot as yet join him. I have eventually learnt that my body is only just starting to recover and pushing too hard, too fast will only prove to be detrimental in the long run. Whilst i may never want to admit defeat i have to be understanding of the effects that illness has on the body. I may accept an A for effort but im not sure that i yet deserve the A for athlete. And yet as this month draws closer to its penultimate day i am reminded that it has only been a year. There is nothing to gain but wisdom from this situation and i am nothing but excited that if i have come this far in a year then 2010 should be a great place for some PBs.

In most areas in life, including running, the best place to look is forward. It is the start of a new year and that brings with it a whole host of new sporting challenges if you chose to accept them. At this time of year its easy to get carried away and promise yourself that you are going to go to the gym 16times a week and only eat carrots. This is both ridiculous and unsustainable. A healthy lifestyle is exactly that- a lifestyle choice. It would be a better idea to decide what your long term goals are and then simply find time for activity everyday. Being an athlete isnt about ambitious goals it is about the daily challenge of being an athelete. It is the adaption of your life to fit in the needs and demands of your sport. It is no easier for me to get up at 5.30am to run than it is for you, but i am determined to do it. On new years eve we started our own tradition of running a long run. Last year i ran 1.5miles on the 31st December. This year, with Alex and Lisa next to me, i ran 13.5 miles. My message for the year? Everything is achieveable it just requires motivation, dedication and determination. Good luck- see you at the finish.

An insatiable hunger to improve is part of what makes you an athlete. It is what gives me drive to keep on going. It provides me with company when i am pursuing a lonely goal and helps on cold and early mornings. I am hardest on myself because i am aware of what i have. I value everything that the synergy of my body and mind has acheived- and yet i am never satisfied. I am constantly ready to fight forward and refuse to stay dancing on the back foot. This mindset has always made me an easy person to coach and train with. It also means however that i find it very very hard when i am stopped in my tracks. The reality of fighting a life threatening illness does sometimes however rear its ugly head in the form of a compromised immune system. When in training i will do all i can to keep on running and not give in. When it affects my form i find myself running with the reminder of my own fallibility. When i am forced to walk it off in the middle of a lap i almost want to explain to passersby that i am strong but im only just getting back on track. Sometimes i think that i want people to cut me some slack as its only been a year...do i really though? Surely thats just me wanting to give myself a break. Will I? No. Because that pursuit of personal perfection is the very driving force of my life.