It gives me great pleasure in introducing you to Claire. Claire is a client at DVCC Milton Keynes, and always fills her Personal Training sessions with laughter. I am sure her “story” is not unique, so please feel free to mimik how she has managed to achieve such great results, to achieve your own transformation.
I am 46 years old, married with 2 boys a business owner and have been with DVCC just over 12 months and have *lost over 25.5lbs of Fat and put on 5.8lbs of Muscle.
After being an active youngster, like many people. I *lost my way when I hit my 20’s and 30’s and my weight steadily increased. I tried Weight Watcher’s, Slimming World, Atkins, Rosemary Connolly and all sorts as a way to control the weight which was piling on. However, the best results I got was when I trained with a PT, with whom I spent 3 years with, but we became friends and eventually I spent more time chatting than pushing myself. To shake things up I went to another ‘MK Bootcamp’ but didn’t like the fact that it reminded me of a circus, it was full of a lot of people racing around the PT who was stood in the middle, directing the routines. In my opinion the focus was on speed and numbers and it wasn’t for me.
The final straw in this sorry tale was that I fell over, whilst in high-heeled boots, carrying sack of potatoes, and hurt myself. Over about 18 months, I kept trying run as normal and do a workout but it was followed by excruciating pain from my back and down my leg. It made me feel like I was failing when I didn’t achieve the levels of fitness that I knew I was capable of. Needless to say my weight increased through comfort eating and lack of exercise.
Things came to a head in June 13 when I had to give an important presentation. As I spoke I imagined myself as I must look to them, the size of a small house, and thought ‘why would they listen to me?’ I was in clothes 3 sizes bigger than I was comfortable with and my head was all over the place. I’m normally a very positive person but I had gone into that crucial event, conscious of my weight, lacking self-confidence and self- belief. Let’s just say it wasn’t the best thing I’d ever done.
I wallowed in self-pity for about 3 weeks, didn’t go out, apart from taking the kids on the school run, didn’t speak to anyone only family, spent most of my time on Facebook (nothing changes there haha!) when an ad for DoubleVision Conditioning Centres kept popping up, almost like it was haunting me. So I texted (although it took ages for me to press ‘send’ on that Sunday afternoon). Before I knew it was booked in on the Monday to get the ball rolling.
So I arrived at DVCC Crownhill the Client Manager was amazing, so friendly, he chatted to me and made me welcome. He told me about the protocols and at that time it was payment on results. I explained I had an injury and what I had tried but he reassured me that they had ways to improve my fitness and ease the pain. I wasn’t convinced, but as they say ‘things can only get better’. I opted for the PT semi-private unlimited sessions. The challenge was to *lose 7llbs of fat in four weeks. I *lost 11lb in the first week, followed by another 7lb the next week and onwards.
The first session, I couldn’t believe how tough it was, tough but not painful. I thought the trainer would go easy on me, since it was my first session, how wrong was I? Despite this, I really enjoyed it, I felt I’d pushed myself and to my amazement I had no pain. So I came back the next day, and the next, and 12 months on I’m still here. Still achieving, still being challenged and just when I think I’ve got good at it Mark changes it. I have made some very good friends, who have trained with me and we have so much fun. Sometimes we laugh from the start to the finish of the session, but you know laughter is good for the soul.
The nutritional advice and personal support is unsurpassed, I have followed WeightWatchers, SlimmingWorld, Atkins etc and no-one has really got the link between exercise and food and that you can’t have one without the other. Regular catch-ups have given me an appreciation of spinach, the benefits of magnesium and a low/no carb diet as well as celebrating success. Steve has given me some great advice about not reflecting on negatives, they can’t be changed but think about the positives and look forward.
I usually train first thing in the morning after I’ve dropped my son off at the school bus. I find it sets the day up right, I get more done and my mind is in a positive place. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t been a Saint, I have had lapses, food wise but the fact that I enjoy the exercise and the atmosphere combined with the non-judgemental team, has kept me going and I haven’t gone backwards, just forwards.
I think the key for me nutritionally is to drink plenty of water, eat regularly and food does not have to mean micro-rations. Exercise and good nutrition is a personal habit which needs to be acquired, like brushing your teeth, washing your hair, filling the car up. Don’t expect it to be an easy habit to get quickly or even that there won’t be any setbacks, there will be but don’t worry about it, keep going and eventually like me Spinach will be part of your normal, The Prowler will be your friend and your body and mind will thank you for it.
Advice I would give my ‘old’ self is that exercise needs to become a habit again. Fitness and health isn’t a quick fix and there is no easy route for sustainable change. Think of it like brushing your teeth, washing your hair, filling the car up, it needs to be part of how you live and your *lifestyle will change, for the better.
Honestly if you are thinking of coming along, do it, make that call, send that text or email. Come along to the session, we’re a great bunch, you will definitely think ‘what on earth have I signed up for’ but I promise you will come out of it laughing but you will get in good shape and not to mention being able to haul a rope like a sailor.
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