Lizzy Williamson - Two Minute Moves: One small step is all you need

Lizzy Williamson is a mother, author and founder of Two Minute Moves -- showing women how easy exercise throughout the day is NOT impossible!

Lizzy appeared to have it all - she had a beautiful, healthy baby, a toddler who was full of laughter, a husband and a family that I could call on - yet she felt desperate, depressed and alone.  “My rational mind told me I shouldn’t be having a hard time, but no matter how many times I tried to talk myself out of how I was feeling, I couldn’t seem to get myself unstuck.

I would look out the window and think about throwing my baby out when she wouldn’t stop crying.  I wasn’t revealing a thing to anyone  - not to my husband, friends or my family. I was ashamed I wasn’t coping, so I kept it hidden.

I’ve always resisted help, but as my thoughts got darker, I realised there was too much at stake. Arriving at the doctors feeling like a total failure, reluctantly admitting how I felt (not even telling her about the suicidal thoughts) - I expected her to tell me to toughen up and get over it.

To my surprise, she told me what I was suffering postnatal depression and gave me a prescription for antidepressants. I didn’t know there was such a thing as PND and couldn’t believe that I had it. I took the piece of paper and was about to get up and go when my doctor put her hand on mine and said, ‘You know how when you get on the plane and they tell you to put on your oxygen mask first before assisting others? That’s what you have to do.’ 

I had been so focused on making sure that everyone else’s needs were taken care of that I’d forgotten to take care of myself. So I made the decision that before I took any medication I would first commit to taking action every day to make myself feel a bit better.

Taking one small step was all I needed to realise the single most important thing we can do as women and mothers, is to ask for help and to know that one small step is all that we needed to make a positive change.

Lizzy Williamson’s story is one that many mothers are familiar with - a story of resilience, courage and compassion as she overcame the pain, suffering and stigma of postnatal depression.

Lizzy is a role model for women recognising that being a leader doesn't mean doing it alone, or by yourself. Being a leader comes with courage, and a willingness to be vulnerable.

Dubbed by Best Self Magazine as “the excuse-buster from down-under”, Lizzy now helps women find, and keep, their confidence, vitality and joy through making exercise a part of their life.  She is also the author and presenter of ‘2-Minute Moves’, a program that helps thousands of women transform their life. 

Get yourself a copy of Lizz'y’s book ‘Two Minute Moves’ and try out one of her awesome programs - follow her on Instagram, subscribe to her You Tube Channel or visit Two Minute Moves.