Week Three
Nahid does alcohol and minstrels
This week has really tested me on the healthy eating front. The week started with a business networking event. A sit down lunch is not really the best way to network; it feels too captive a bit like an office boat party, you can't get off until the "fun" is scheduled to stop.
I was sitting next to the gold medal winner of "the most boring man on earth who will terrorise you with his boring chatter because he knows you cannot escape" he just wouldn't stop talking about his children (3, all brilliant went to Cambridge doubles first in quantum braininess) and then his 6 grandchildren (they have told him that he is the best granddad in the world and share the brilliant traits of their parents and so by default of him, he who sired the whole brood of clever best-est people in the world). Stabbing myself in my hand with my fork didn't stop the pain so I joined in the Russia New Year toast - with a small shot of vodka. If you had been there you would have done the same.
Mid-week I was at the Aristoc Ultra Woman award. I made it onto the shortlist it was great to meet so many inspiring, go-getting women and I saluted them (and me) with a glass of pink champagne. On Sunday I had a small bag of minstrels at the pictures ( Coen brothers new film – it is so well paced and utterly compelling/menacing). That’s all my shame for the week ‘fessed up to! Apart from that it’s been good on the food front – although next week I am going to watch my portions as I have been piling my plate up more than usual.
The key to eating healthily is to add interest to your plate, a bit of crunch, different colours fresh herbs to liven things up. Don’t eat like a person who is being deprived, eat to enjoy new tastes and textures, it’s a good chance to discover new ingredients. It takes around a month to form new habits so once you have a few weeks under you belt you don’t want to undo the good work. The food diary has been really helping as has having a support group to do it with.
I am feeling slighter, I won’t measure myself until week 5 but can definitely feel an ease about me that hasn’t been there for a while. The training is going well a joyous spot of hula-hooping to the Hairspray cd (The John Walters version) on Sunday. I need to do fun aerobic things to keep my interest, the bikram twice a week is ongoing, as is walking but this week I am going to go back to my dynamic yoga classes at lunchtime and am looking into tango classes. I am really pushing myself on the Power-Plate, I have just turned down the frequency to 35Hz ( from 40) it feels harder as you are more aware of the vibrations – try it you die-hards it works! Good feedback from all you Drop a Dress Size clients including one person who has lost a stone in just under 3 weeks! Well done David, keep up the good work!
PS a client told me on Thursday morning that she had an “intense” physical experience in the early morning class. We do aim to please at Good Vibes but as I always say if you are enjoying our vibrations too much – I will charge extra for the happy finish!
Rachel "2 biscuits" Singer
Nearly a quarter of the way through the course and no alcohol apart from sniffing part of a vodka shot at lunchtime but that’s another story, – well done me! (YOU weren’t sitting next to the boring man Singer! Nahid) I should have taken bets on myself. It’s actually been easier than I thought, so far. There have definitely been times when I could have done with a vodka (double), but I have refused to give in and feeling righteous for it! I’m most vulnerable to the vino when I’m tired and get home from work late; this is also when I would choose a quick, easy, carb-filled dinner, usually involving bread. In an attempt to hinder this habit I made a big pot of thick, spicy, vegetable soup and then froze it in portions to have when I got home from work. It worked so well that I’ve got another recipe to try this week– who knew I could cook!!
I didn’t think I’d like the whole porridge for breakfast idea, but, after Nahid forced it upon me one morning, I discovered I liked it! I never used to eat breakfast but it really does set you up for the day and stops you from wanting to snack. Ready Break and fresh berries is the way forward.
I’m still quite far from healthy food perfection. Which, I’ll mostly be blaming on my oldest brother (well, it couldn’t possibly be anything to do with my own lack of will power). He keeps buying fresh baked bread and his girlfriend made cookies from scratch. Just mean. I had two. Would this count as grounds for eviction from the flat we share?
On the exercise front the Power-Plate sessions are going well. I’ve had some more great work outs this week. My derrière definitely felt worked after Monday’s session and my legs are looking more toned already. Compared to the cardio, 25 minutes is a doddle to fit into the day. The cardio has been less easy to fit in as it’s been quite busy in the world of Good Vibes. On the plus side, I’ve done a fair bit of running around the studios!
I’m off to look up salsa / hula-hooping / pole dancing classes for next week!
Kate "still no carbs" Wilding
Food is the hardest part of this course. I have always relied on doing more exercise so I can eat what I want! However, eating salads, fruit, steamed veg and fish etc has not only made me feel more alert and alive (even on the early shift!) my skin is clearing up lovely! It has taken some time though, I felt real crap Monday and Tuesday as I was probably in the middle of detox and all the bad toxins were coming out but slowly and surely I am starting to feel great! Temptation still creeps in and I'm very tempted to have a chocolate brownie with a cup of tea or coffee (yes, still drinking coffee) but as the days go on it gets easier to resist as I don't want to undo all my hard work! I've not gone 18 days tee-total for nothing.
Next week I am attending a boxing class (god help me, as if Power Plate isn’t hard enough!) hour and a half of pure cardio and strength work (no black eyes I hope!) and of course the Plate, Nahid is putting me to shame on the plate at the mo so need to catch up, keep an eye next for how I get on.
Steph works out in heels
Two weeks in and I think things are looking promising. I've had two tough plate sessions this week and am still feeling a little sore from last weeks' sessions! But I'm already feeling a change, a little tighter around my arms and thighs and overall a lot stronger. I've managed to fit some swimming in over two evenings which was fun; forgot how tiring it can be though! Also lots of running around, walking up escalators, and stairs instead of lifts - and usually in heels. Again, very surprisingly for me I've been very good with my eating - including drinking loads of water and herbal teas. I've managed to eat out healthily a couple of times and steer clear of the wine and dessert list. My tummy has definitely gone down; it now needs to get really toned. I suppose it's easier to be good when you start to see physical changes- I don't want to mess up my hard work!
"I have never thought of taking measurements to track progress before, I always used to use the scales. Taking measurements instead is great as it makes you realize it is about getting fitter and looking different rather than just weighing less. Using the food diary in the bible has been really useful to keep track and control what I am eating. Knowing that the Good Vibes girls (including my daughter) are doing it too is really helping to keep me on track” - Jill
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