Ally - The Results!!

Well, well, well, what have we here then? My results - yippee!

Firstly, I feel the need to provide some kind of disclaimer upfront, this is going to be wordy....! Pull up a comfy chair and get a cuppa. Ready? Then I'll begin. 

I'm not any good with excel so can't provide some amazing graphic to display my results - I think I'll just let the numbers do the talking.

 

Needless to say, I'm thrilled!!! I think it's worth highlightling a couple of aspects. Most people when they embark on a "get-fit" regime use weight as their only measure of success - this whole process has taught me how completely wrong that is! If you only looked at my weight loss you might think that not much has changed (4lbs in 5 weeks), but then you look at the rest of the measurements and you see that loads has changed! I'm most pleased about the significant changes to my body fat and fat mass. Loosing 3.1 kg (just under 7 lbs) of fat in 5 weeks is crazy!!

Let me put this in perspective for you - butter is mostly sold in 250g blocks, I've got rid of over 12 of these bad-boys from my body (and replaced some of it with muscle and active tissue).

My boobs, thighs and waist all shrunk by significant markers and I can see the difference, although I'm not sure how I feel about the boobs at the moment - I had to go and buy new bras!!
My bum increased by 1 cm which I'm actually pretty happy about, big butts are in, right?! I think it's actually not got bigger, just perter.

And how did I do this? Well, it's down to a commitment to a healthier version of me but also with the guidance of some fabulous people who really know what they're talking about - the Bikini Dream Team.

Pete (Physio) helped me really understand my body and why it works the way it does. Regular sessions with Pete ensured that I made steps towards completely changing my body shape without injury. I'm sure when I'm 80 I'll think of Pete and say a silent prayer! My posture has never been better.

Alex (Training) set a challenging interval work-out and took the time to individualise it for each of us. He kept me focused and made sure I pushed myself to do more each time. At the mid-way point he stepped up the work-out, and I thought I wouldn't be able to do it but you know what? I can. He knows how much to push to get results, genius!

Paul (Coach) made this process simple for me! How? I'm not really sure but he's amazing at what he does. We spent some time really establishing what my goals not only looked like but felt like. This image and feeling has stayed at the fore-front of my mind for the whole challenge, my motivation hasn't wavered. I feel like this has been achieved by "keeping it real" as well. I had Pizza Express (plus many other 'treats'), no sweat - I never panicked and thought I'd fail.

Doing this challenge with the other girls has been brilliant too, thanks for the support ladies!

Finally, the amazing Fi, without her none of this would have happened. Not only did she provide some fabulous ideas and support nutritionally (plus of course the yummy Fi-esli) she put together this whole team and challenge. I feel like I've been given knowledge and tools to use for life, and know that I will never go back, I feel too good!! Thank you for all the inspiration and encouragement gorgeous.

So what does the future look like? Well healthy, strong and...... green!

Love,

Ally xx

P.S. Before and after pics to follow...........woo hoo!

Week 2

So here is a round up of my week 2! I have been super busy and not been home in the evenings for 9 days so feeling pretty tired.

I met with Paul on Tuesday and we set goals! It was really interesting to go back to my early days and talk about why I may have a negative attitude towards exercise. I look forward to finishing our session and changing my mindset for the future and not just a short period. It became apparent that I work well to short term goals and put myself under pressure to meet them but what I really need to do is change my attitude so that I maintain the exercise and see it as a lifestyle addition rather than a goal/chore.

Wednesday was an early start with a PT session with Alex and Ally at 8am!! It felt good to do it and also be at work by 9am after a workout. Same time next week apparently! I also met with Pete the physio in the afternoon and the good news is- the bum clenching is working!! My back is less tight as my glutes are engaged  but the downside is my bum is super sore from the muscles being put into action.

Because I have been so busy this week with rehearsals, birthdays and weddings it has been hard to find time to exercise. It is the one aspect of this challenge that I am finding 'challenging' because of time and tiredness.  I do however 3 free evenings this week and will exercise lots to make up for this week!

The diet changes are still going well and I can notice a difference in my skin and body from taking things out of the diet and replacing with others.  I will absolutely stick to it and as agreed with Paul- along term goal is to follow the bikini eating plan for 5 days and the 2 other days will be followed by 75%.

Off to bed now, sleep is much needed- ready for another week!

Sam
x

Amy wins the Miss England Bikini Competition!

We're half way through the bikini challenge and Amy is clearly doing well.

She's won the Miss England Bikini Challenge and has been enjoying a photo shoot with the same photographer who shoots for Kate Moss!

We're over the moon for Amy - remember you can vote for her too by texting MISSENGLAND38 to 63333.

Read more about Amy's exciting challenge at http://www.amy-willerton.com/diary.html.

Amy - Week 2

As the winner of the Beach Body round at Miss England my prize was a week long trip to Thailand to shoot with top celebrity photographer Alan Strutt. So lots of pressure for a top bod! 

Luckily because I had been doing the bikini programme for a week it meant I was already starting to feel much better about my figure (the key for me is to feel good about your body, when I feel that, I'm at the right weight). 

However of course the trip meant I would be breaking up my routine and have to go a week without the super muesli! I've never been a breakfast person but getting into the habit of it has made me love it.... So day one was airplane food, which of course I don't have a lot of control over, so just avoided the bread! 

Day 2 I arrived in Bangkok and then flew onto Phuket where we took a speedboat to Yao Noi, I was very lucky as the Six Senses resort we stayed in only served fresh and healthy foods which made it very easy for me to continue good eating habits! 

Because of our shooting schedule starting at 6am till 11am and then 12pm till 4pm  we only had time to eat twice a day - so a big brunch and dinner!

I found myself even after just one week  really craving my traditional "Fiseli" with fresh fruit - so I did my best with making an alternative to Fionas Secret and had a high fibre muesli (not wheat free!), with grapes, pineapple, and watermelon on top and a splash of black sesame milk (which is gorgeous!) 

I would be very hungry by 11am so I was also having an omelette with onions, peppers and tomatoes after my muesli ( making the most of having someone to cook it for me!)  And finally a nice cup of mixed fruit juice (orange, pineapple and watermelon)  I would be really full after this! But it kept me going till late in the evening so was probably worth the slight bloating! 

It was my first time to Thailand so I was determined to try all the local dishes at dinner - luckily their cuisine is really good for you so it didn't mess me up too much! (the 24 hour ice cream bar might have though!!) 

The Thai food I found so delicious and fresh that I bought a Thai cooking book to use for next weeks dishes. 

Exercise wise I wasn't very good this week due to early starts and major jetlag! But I found I was running around so much that by the end of week I definitely felt slimmer. 

Something worked for sure as on the day I left I was featured on Sports Illustrated's site as Lady of the Day! 

My Goals ( as agreed with Paul the Performance Coach) 

- down to 9st by the 12th June 

- make a habit of good posture 

- tone, slim and feel more confident about my legs

- cellulite free

- do some physical activity everyday 

Physio with Pete.

11 June 2012

Amazing session with Pete today!   A tiny bit painful….. don’t think I’ve yelped that loud before but so worth it!  Pete did some deep tissue massage and really worked on areas such as my back and glutes.  I feel great!  Pete has highlighted areas that need attention.   7 years ago I had my knee reconstructed.  Although it feels good and I have very few problems with the knee itself, over the years my body has compensated in other areas causing tightness.  Pete has shown me these areas I need to work on.  It’s a reminder I must look after my body!   I’m particularly tight in my chest, glutes and hip flexors and has given me some fab stretches to work on.  I really had no idea about how tight I was!  Pete has given me the smiley ball to use and I ready for some stretching along with my trusted stretch band! x

Ally - Physio Pete!!

On Wednesday I had my second Physio session with Pete and it was AMAZING!! I went in with super achy, tight muscles and 30 minutes later left feeling like I had a completely different body!

I've never had Physiotherapy before so don't have anything I can compare this experience to but I will try and describe my time with Pete the best I can and you guys can draw your own conclusions!

The first session I had, Pete took the time to listen to what I wanted to achieve with my body and then assess where I was (on the Ally page). I love the fact that he treats every body he sees as completely unique and gets totally tuned in to what your muscles are currently doing and what they need to be doing. Thorough is pretty much an understatement!

Yesterday, Pete did a lot of deep-tissue massage and loosened off my muscles that have been over-compensating for a lack of developed core strength and under-used glutes. And I had a total "Aha!" moment as well. I've always wondered why no matter what I do in terms of exercise I haven't managed to achieve lean and toned thighs. My thighs are muscly and not exactly flabby, but lean? No. And here's the explanation. When your core isn't doing what it needs to, the large muscles in the rest of your body "switch-on" and over-compensate to keep you stable. So every time I run or workout, it's over-training my legs and other muscles because my core (girdle) and glutes aren't playing their part effectively. This is what I need to work on with Alex the Trainer on Friday. High stability and low intensity to begin with is the name of the game for me.

This week I have some homework for Pete, as well as me and Ernie (my Physio-ball) continuing our blossoming friendship I need to Stretch!! Here is what I'll be doing, demonstrated by the lovely Fiona.

Pete the Physio's Basic Stretches

Above I do mention the word "massage", which to most people out there (myself included) sounds pretty relaxing, right? Erm, nooo. At the moment Physio for me is actually pretty painful!! My muscles are so tight and wanting to resist being loosened off, but the amazing thing is that afterwards they feel great and the short-term pain is totally worth the long-term gain. The sessions with Pete are a total highlight in this challenge, I love getting to know why my body is the way it is and his enthusiasm and belief that I can change things are so motivational. Yay! Thanks Pete.

Love,

Sam - Day 2 ... and so it begins

Day 2 of the challenge.......

I started day 1 with my yummy cereal and as I was in a rush I packed it into a tub and took it to the hair salon! Topped with berries and a little apple juice- I'm buying almond milk tomorrow!

This weekend I have stayed at a friends house in the country-with a chef! So, meals have been a focus of the weekend but luckily it was all relatively healthy with lots of yummy chicken, crab and avocado salad, lamb and maybe a naughty desert. ;-)

Tonight I had some of the special muesli with berries and a herbal tea so I'm back on track. Tomorrow I have another physio sessions to get my body ready for some intense exercise and so it begins....... Oh, I've just taken my before pictures and seeing them have made me even more determined to do this- I was horrified! SAM X

Physiotherapy assessments

Pete the Physio has been assessing all our lovely ladies this week to determine what kinds of exercises will be most effective.

Physiotherapy assessments help to ensure that your exercise programme is appropriate for how well your muscles are functioning together.  This will help to prevent injury, and ensure that you get the most out of your training.