Famously Belle - The Female Lifestyle Case Study - Two Months On!

With Personal Trainer Steven Holmes at Precor Fitness, London Hilton Park Lane

Added:Wed, 9th December 09

Agreeing to a “no holds barred” approach, Shazia has undergone a simple fitness test, dietary guidance, demanding workouts, and taken is taking on board a whole new education about nutrition and how her body works

Shazia is a 39 year old mother and busy executive working 9-5. She has a sporadic history of gyms, diets and healthy resolution, but realises that now she is heading towards 40, a change is needed – a change that is more focussed, directed and committed - something that is going to make a permanent difference to her health, body shape and ultimately how she feels about herself.

So Shazia signed up to the Famously Fit Challenge and ended up in the gym of the London Hilton on Park Lane and under the guidance of myself as her personal trainer, and all the experts at Famouslyfit.com.

The First 2 Months!

The first two months have been an ever changing, even revelatory experience for Shazia. She has now found the time in her busy life and has made the psychological commitment required to take on the challenge. She is starting to understand what a healthy lifestyle really means for a lot of important reasons

First - Commitment

Do not underestimate what has been involved for Shazia. Committing to a challenge with a target and goal is daunting at first - and sharing it with others (in Shazia´s case in a very public way on Famouslyfit.com) is even more daunting but really can help to give you the motivation you need to stick to the plan and to get the support you need when things get tough! This has created an obligation to others – to Shazia´s friends and family, to the team at Famouslyfit.com and to the readers. Although Shazia is doing this for herself, this obligation provides that extra positive, inspired push and pat on the back as well.

Writing down what you’ve done in the gym, or how far you’ve walked and what you have eaten for the day can provide a great insight and motivator to keep you on track, especially during those long dark nights when it’s easy to bypass the gym on the way home after work or sneak into the cookie tin! Looking back at what you’ve already done shows you that you CAN do it, you CAN make a difference, and you CAN make it happen (don’t wait for it to happen). Keeping a food diary should also make you think twice about how much and what you are eating – after all "if you bite – write it!"

Second - Realistic Goals

You have to want to ‘commit to get fit’ - it’s got to be for the right reasons, and it’s got to fit into your lifestyle. Yes, it’s going to require a little bit of effort, but if you make it a lifestyle choice then it’s going to be so much easier to maintain (extreme, or fad diets and exercise give short term results but don’t last). Setting realistic short term goals (with the help of a personal trainer and nutritional advisor) will help. When you achieve these smaller steps give yourself a pat on the back, reward yourself and use it as a stepping stone to the next level.

Third - Flexibility

We all have those days that don’t fit with the plan – days when we are tired, have work or family commitments or are a little under the weather. Stay focussed, think of the long term plan and don’t let it get you down. If you can’t get to the gym – walk a bit further instead (get a pedometer and aim for at least 10,000 steps a day). If you’ve got a few Christmas dinners planned, then watch your portion control, go easy on the alcohol and choose the healthier options from that scrumptious buffet.

Remember it’s a lifestyle choice – you have to enjoy it, but you also have to believe it…

And Two Months Later?

Shazia’s repeat test results show an excellent improvement in fitness but don’t reveal the full picture. Shazia’s ability, for example, in the gym has drastically improved. Strength and stamina, co-ordination and balance have improved without question, but more importantly she getting the exercise bug – beginning to actually enjoy exercise for the first time and missing the gym if she can’t make it!

Body weight shouldn’t be the ‘be all and end all’ for health and fitness. If it has taken 10 years for the pounds to go on - don’t expect miracles in just a few weeks! Your body can take a few months to adjust to the new regime – and don’t forget, muscle does weigh more than fat.

What we have seen with Shazia is that she needs a high tempo style of workout with lots of variety and change. Using boxing training provides a fantastic release of tension from work, is a brilliant all over body workout and is great fun – but tough….!