By Ali Bennett – Owner of Allied Fitness
I grew up in a beautiful family in the 80s and 90s, with two loving parents and two brothers in Nhulunbuy, East Arnhem Land. It was an incredibly heart-stealing town, and I made many friendships that will last forever. Yet it was also a place where many women chased every trending low-calorie diet, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Diet Coke, striving for heroin-thin bodies while drinking regularly and doing weighted walks or aerobics in the name of weight loss.
Then, in Year 10, my own obsession began. My menstrual cycle stopped for nearly four years. My Diet Coke addiction surpassed my binge-drinking cycles. I idealised the front-cover magazine image of every skinny model, and with that came a desperate need to control and minimise my food intake. Over the years, I wanted help as long as I didn’t gain weight. When I left in 2001 to study a dual degree in Dance and Education, I decided it was time to be free from the hold of my eating disorder.
My goals changed: I wanted to be fit and strong, and the greatest strength would be the freedom of living without restriction. I wanted to learn to love my body, to have energy and a clear mind, and never be consumed by the numbers on a scale again. That resolve deepened when my mum was facing her final days, the skinniest she’d ever been, the goal she’d lived for her whole life, riddled with cancer and unable to leave her bed. In her last weekend with me, she said, “All my life I have fought to be skinny… and now what?” Those words stayed with me.
My desire to learn and live my healthiest life continued. Not perfectly, but genuinely changed: I would feed my body, move for longevity, and celebrate my life. That continues today. For the past nine and a half years, I have owned and grown Allied Fitness. Like everything in life, it has its ebbs and flows, and it has changed over time as we find better ways to support others on their wellness journeys.
We write our programs with a belief in strength and cardiovascular training, community, and balanced nutrition that encourages protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. We believe in rest. We believe every member has the opportunity to belong, to train, and to take up space. We believe health is a whole package: mind, body and soul. We love sharing what we love and are thankful for every opportunity to do so.
If you are interested in training with us, come down for a trial and share your fitness journey with us. A place where you can continue learning to appreciate your body, gain strength and fitness, amongst the most amazing community.
Send us a message today on 0417 652 484.