Challenge completed!

Four weeks ago we embarked on our "Nourish to Flourish" challenge.

I was terrified that I was going to struggle with changing my eating habits and feel hungry all the time!

Well do you know what, it was tough but it was no where near as hard as I thought.  

The whole purpose of doing the challenge for 4 weeks was that it would give us the best chance to break those old "bad" habits and instill the "good" patterns of behavior required for long-term success.

It has been working too!  I now know what to snack on rather than reaching for the most convenient, prepackaged "naughty" treat.  That in itself is a massive success for me!  I now choose not to eat those "naughty" treats because I know how it will make me FEEL - how it affects my mood, my clarity of mind and general energy levels - rather that worrying about how unhealthy it is for me.  I don't so much see it as depriving myself but more as ensuring that I am looking after myself better.  I have been re-educated about what type of food is best for my body and I am beginning to see a change.  

Remember, as with any new regime, the general rule of thumb is: 

So keep at it!

As with any big change, you are more likely to succeed if you start with just one or two areas and slowly build up.

If you have been inspired to make a change in your lifestyle just try and identify a few aspects to work on at first.  These may be things such as drinking more water, reducing your caffeine intake, avoiding sugary snacks, walking to work, improving your posture, incorporating more core exercises into your daily routine, going to bed earlier, eating at more regular times, eating slower!!! The list goes on and on!

And remember:

For those of you interested in what type of exercise session I wrote for us to do during the challenge, take a look at the new EXERCISE page.  

Now here is Sam with her final thoughts on the last 4 weeks:

 

It was easier to let Natasha speak for herself on this one.

 

"My overall thoughts are that this was the best thing apart from having my kids and getting married, that has ever happened to me. Before this I used to eat what most people would consider healthy, but when I started with MT my life changed my body changed from the inside out. I started to notice my skin looked better I had the most energy even after a hard day running after the kids cleaning the house and going to work after all that I still manage to squeeze in a cheeky work out. I was less bloated, I started drinking more water less coffee more herbal tea. I still have a long way to go but so far so good.  I struggled a bit this week I ate more than usual and I knew why. My cycle is due and I feel like a blob. But all I need to do is get on track again it's hard to stay focus, mind you no sugar but just eating wrong kind of food.in life we get one opportunity this is mine and I'm not going to stop fighting its a lifestyle for me now and this is for life. Oh and let's not forget I fit into my size 10 jeans I've lost half a stone in three weeks and lost half an inch of my waste, I have achieved a lot but not enough the only way is up from here. Thank you again Samantha for this life changing experience."

Thank you girls for participating.  I love what I do and it works if you are willing to put in the time and effort.  We are all different so our needs are different.  If it was easy to change we would all be glowing and well.  We all have our own journeys to complete.  You just have to chose which way you want to go.


Thank you to all of you who have followed us.  If you would like to do this program please to do not hesitate to contact myself of Aileen.  We cant wait to get you started.

Nourish to Flourish - Week 1 Update!

This week 3 of us commenced our Nourish to Flourish Journey.

When you chose to change your lifestyle - it takes energy.  It is harder to change than it is to stay the same.  FACT!  I have observed many people who live in discomfort and pain, yet their ability to change is not there as they feel it is just not possible.  

For the first few weeks of working with a new client I try to keep things simple.  There is undoubtedly a lot to think about and I don't wan to overwhelm them so I make sure that I never add anything beyond their ability.

So this week we all concentrate on our own specific diet sheets.  These sheets gave us a list of foods we could and shouldn't eat, in order to gain optimal health.  For every meal we must have all the major food groups - Carbohydrate, Protein and Fat.  It is the ratios of these macronutrients that we need to get right in order to make us feel better.  Additionally, since we all metabolise food in a different way, we needed to pay attention to the particular forms of Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats within our diet.  For example, if I were to eat  a chicken fillet at lunch time I would be looking for something to eat about 2 hrs later.  Natasha could eat chicken fillet for lunch and be satisfied until dinner.

I cannot emphasis enough - EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT.

So how did we all get on adapting to our new food changes.

My verdict of this week - being a High Fat/High Protein type metaboliser I have loved being back in the flow of analysing my feelings with food.  I got a real buzz from not deviating off my food plan as I end up being drained of energy if I do.  This week for me has shown that I really have to stay away from the dairy and keep up my good meats and fats.  Loved it.  I have slept well and had a clearer mind.

My goal for next week - COME OFF THE COFFEE COMPLETELY! I'm not saying it is bad for YOU, I'm saying I know I do better without it.  Coffee is similar to the way sugar effects the body.  It triggers an insulin response within the body and makes it work mega hard to combat it.  So, I reckon I will be a bit tired at the start of the week.  I have recently found Dandelion Coffee and Barley Rye - both of which you can use as a substitute hot drink, natural and with no caffeine.  So this is what I shall have instead.  Another step closer to a refreshing me!

Now for the other girls!

Aileen -  Aileen was pleases that she didn't suffer from the hunger pangs she was dreading and actually found it quite empowering knowing that she was nourishing her body rather than depriving it of sweet treats!  She found breakfast and lunch easy to adjust too but is struggling a bit more with dinner as she eats at the same time as her children, who obviously only ever want carbs!  To combat this she is substituting her usual pasta/potatoes for quinoa or extra spinach.  Aileen still needs to eat regularly though and has admitted that she is a bit more stumped when it comes to quick, nutritional snacks - they always seem to take that bit more effort to make!  So next week she aims to keep on track with her main meals and do a bit more research on how to make tasty filling snacks!  I'm sure she will share any fantastic recipes with us!

Natasha - This week Natasha has felt she had more energy, slept better and felt less bloated.  Her diet needed to be tweaked mid week as she felt she was eating the same things to try and stick with the diet sheet. Her goals for the next seven days are to stick with the foods on the diet sheet as Natasha is a Mixed type, which means its important for her to get her food combinations right as well as her macronutrient ratios (protein, carb and fat).  She loves to cook and what was on her diet plan was no different to what she would normally eat it was just getting the combinations right.  Having spoken with her last night, she may well be experiencing a detox - with an upset stomach.  This is the body's way of eliminating toxins.  This can also have the symptoms of sore heads, flu like feeling, bad breath or body odour or sometimes even sickness.  However this process usually is short lived.  Another step closer to a cleaner healthier you!

Sam xxx

Nourish to Flourish Nerves

Tomorrow sees the start of our Nourish to Flourish challenge and I am beginning to feel the nerves!

My attitude to exercise and nutrition growing up was "I can eat that slice of chocolate cake because I have just been for a run".

WRONG!  

I now know that you can't out exercise a bad diet but I would be lying to you if I told you I had perfect eating habits (I just can't shake my sweet tooth!).

So this challenge is just what I need to kick start my new approach to food and to start to really nourish MY body.  I am delighted to be starting this nutritional journey with Sam, Natasha and Suzy but I am scared!

I'm scared because:

1. My Metabolic Type suggests foods that I have never heard of!
2. How am I going to copy when hunger strikes!
3. I am going camping with my family this weekend (surely that means eating toasted marshmallows).
4. It's my husband's birthday this week (arrgh I will be faced with cake and booze).

Life is real though!

I know that this week is going to be about "eating less wrong and more right" as Sam has told me. 

So my aim for the first week is:

1. Increase water consumption (a proven tactic to help deal with hunger pangs).
2. Decrease the amount of carbs I eat - and to make sure the ones I do eat are the correct type for me.
3. Include protein in all my meals.

Fitness wise I'm not so nervous as I know that I need to focus more on my core to increase both my strength and function.

These exercises will concentrate on going back to basics and working the body from the inside out - look at them as the foundations of a building.

I also hope to do at least one session that involves more resistance training - i.e weights!!!!

So there you have it folks!

I'll keep you posted!

And the winners are...

The moment you have all been waiting for.

The lucky winners for out Nourish to Flourish competition are:

Suzy Sutherland

and

Natasha Campbell

Sam and I will be in touch with both of you ASAP to get everything organised before we start our challenge on Monday 4th May!!!

Everyone will be able to follow our progress over the next 4 weeks.

Aileen xxx