2014 - Page 2 of 7 - The Body Retreat

Success Stories – Hilary

I am so lucky to have the most wonderful husband who takes time every day to tell me that he loves me and that I look perfect to him. But for me every time I looked in the mirror or saw a photo I could not see what he saw. All I could see staring back at me was this big unhappy woman……despite the big smile she was faking for the photographer.

I wasn’t always big, but due to a period of ill health, ongoing problems and the medication on which I was put the weight just piled on. I was worried not only about the excess weight but the fact that our family has a history of heart disease. I lost my both my parents too soon and a brother at the age of 41. It was time to do something about it.

I joined a gym in October 2013 and although I am now what I call a ‘’fitty’’ I just could not shift the weight. It was the food element that I struggled with. I had tried every diet going from Weightwatchers, Slimming World, Atkins, Juicing……even starving myself!!!!! Like most women I would lose a few pounds feel great then pile it all back on plus more. I was so disheartened and felt like I was condemned to be stuck as a heavy weight forever.

That’s when things started to change, I spoke to Juls on my 47^th birthday and from our conversation I knew straight away that things were going to be different. I was so excited.

Pulling up outside The Body Retreat for the Mid Week Weight Loss Retreat I felt both anxious and excited but once I had introduced myself and seen how friendly everyone was the anxiety soon faded. Once we had got to know one another a little it was time to get down to business.

My 5 days flew by; despite my fitness there were still things to be learnt. I had been working my body too hard and not fueling it correctly. All the rubbish I had drummed into me over the past 20 years about diets was thrown out the window. It was like somebody telling you straight common sense facts for a change. You hear it and see it for yourself while there. Yes admittedly the first time we sat down to dinner I thought I was getting a starter sized portion, which was a shock I can tell you, but you soon learn to eat what your body needs……not what your brain wants.

Hilary – after

Hilary – before

The behaviour and nutrition workshops where a real eye opener and were great as they helped me see how I could make it work once I got back home to the ‘’real world’’, with tips on how to make the recipes husband proof so that we could sit down and eat the same things. The sessions helped you realise why you ate like you did, the reasons behind your poor choices, maybe the fact that your hormones are out of balance.

I decided to come with an open mind to The Body Retreat and decided to give it my all, I tried different foods some of which I thoroughly enjoyed like the Baked Cod and Ratatouille others not so much like the Thai Prawn Soup but even then they said you can change the prawns for chicken so I’m still happy. The food was so tasty it proved to me you can eat healthy and still enjoy meals full of flavour that don’t have to be boring and bland like…..‘’rabbit food’’. It wasn’t long before I realised that my tummy had started to tell me when it had had enough food something it hadn’t done in years.

For me though the best bit was probably just having some ‘’me’’ time, a few days R&R away from the pressures that everyday life can bring. Having time to swim, use the sauna and to sit in the hot tub and chill. The chance to have a massage or treatment with the lovely Pippa, just what you need after a full day before you fall into bed.

I was delighted to find out on the final day when we were once again weighed and measured that I had lost 7lbs and a total of 9 inches 4 of those coming off my waist.

I had opted for the 4 Week At Home Programme to help keep me on track when. So before I left the Retreat I had 1-2-1 with Julie who took me through my plan. We decided what exercise I would be doing at the gym and that I was to only weigh once a week so I didn’t keep focusing on the numbers on the scale as it isn’t all about that. I would have a review at the end of the 4 weeks.

The first week at home was great, I just pretty much replicated the week on the retreat trying out the recipes for myself, when I weighed I had lost a further 5lbs. I was over the moon.

Week two was good; I tried out some new recipes and found them all just as tasty. I also adapted some other foods that I used to eat by making them healthier. Swapping bread for rye bread instead.

By the middle of week three I had hit a rough patch, I visited the doctor who once again messed my medication around, I felt tired, washed out and really low. I only lost 1lb this week. This is when you can just give up and start gorging on rubbish, but the Skype call from Julie came just at the right moment and she kept me on the straight and narrow.

So week 4 came and when I weighed myself I couldn’t quite believe that I had managed to lose another 5lbs. Hooray I hear you say……that’s exactly how I felt.

When I went back to The Body Retreat for my final weigh and measure they couldn’t quite believe the person who walked through the door. I know I looked and felt like a different person. I managed to lose a total of 17lbs and 17 inches, 7 of which came off my waist, in just those short weeks the results had been amazing. I was thrilled after all this time my body was beginning to react the way I wanted it to.

Do you know what the best feeling is though; it’s when your husband says he has the woman he married back. That just gives me the encouragement to carry on this journey and see it through to the end.

I am looking to the future and the future is bright, although I still have health problems I am stronger both mentally and physically and know I can cope.

My daughter is going to make me a ‘’granny’’……I am going to be a ‘’glamorous granny’’ and she is intending to get married in 2016, watch this space I am going to be a ‘’yummy mummy’’ of the bride. I know I can make it happen now.

I can honestly say that my time on The Body Retreat has changed my life. I now have the knowledge and tools to reach my goal. All I can say is thank you once again to Juls and Julie for sharing the secret with me. Love you guys xx

What to eat when you are sick?

Eating healthily can be difficult at the best of times, but when you are sick or recovering from illness or injury it can seem almost impossible. It can be difficult to know what to eat when you are sick.

Last week after my shoulder operation I had a yearning for soup… it goes back to when I was little and being ill was synonymous with a can of cream of tomato soup eaten from your lap as you rested on the sofa watching cartoons. These days I tend to watch less cartoons but there is still something satisfying and comforting about having soup when you aren’t feeling too well.

Comfort Food = Crap

Back in the day a couple of weeks off work and major surgery would have meant one thing…COMFORT FOOD….. by which I really mean CRAP!!! I would have stocked up the fridge and freezer with ready meals and treats. After the two weeks of sofa eating I can almost guarantee that I would have gained more than a few pounds, but perhaps more importantly I would also have inadvertently slowed down my bodies recovery. Its difficult for your body to put all its energy into recovery and rebuilding when its also being tasked with detoxing a load of CRAP into the bargain.

So this two weeks have been different… I have focussed on actively nourishing my recovering body, doing what I can help myself get back to health as quickly as possible.

Practice What You Preach

So, I practised what I preach at The Body Retreat … I planned & prepared before the operation. So before my operation my fridge and freezer were full…but this time round they were filled with wholesome dishes…and a whole lot of thai influenced dishes as I was also very keen to eat as much garlic, ginger, lemon grass as possible due to their fantastic anti-viral and anti-inflammatory qualities.

Yes it is better to prepare food from scratch to retain the maximum nutritional value…. but in the real world we are often faced with times when that is just not practical or possible. So planing and preparing in advance can help you to fulfil your commitment to your health and weight loss goals.

Soup is one of the most effective ways of getting lots of good ingredients into your system quickly. Through my planning and preparing I created a healthy alternative to my childhood staple of cream of tomato soup. One that ticked all the boxes, comforting and wholesome, but also full of amazing ingredients which actively promote health. Oh and it tastes FANTASTIC…if i do say so myself. So why not give this soup a try… it takes only minutes to prepare and once you have tried it Im sure you will never be tempted by the canned version ever again. Did I mention that healthy recipie freezes well too…making it a perfect freezer back up for when real life takes over or you just can’t be bothered to cook 🙂

Thai Cream of Tomato Soup

Ingredients

1tsp coconut oil

1 large red onion, chopped

4 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 inch fresh ginger, peeled & grated

1 stick lemon grass, chopped

1 tsp veg bullion (marigold)

1tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp chopped chillies

1 can chopped tomatoes

1 tcp tomato puree

1 can coconut milk

lots black pepper

Squeeze fresh lime

Method

Place a heavy bottom pan on a medium high heat and melt coconut oil, add the onion, garlic, ginger, lemon grass and sweat for 2/3 minutes until the onions begin to soften but not brown.

Add the bullion powder, spices, tomato puree and chopped tomatoes, reduce the heat and simmer for a 2/3 minutes.

Add the coconut milk and allow to bentley simmer for about 10 minutes.

Blend using a stick blender or carefully transfer to a table blender and blend until smooth.

Return to the pan and check seasoning and add black pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Serve topped with a drizzle of organic rapeseed oil & a few dried chilli flakes.

ENJOY

I’d love to hear how you get on if you try out this recipe, so please leave me a comment in the comments box all the way down at the bottom of the page. And feel free to share this recipe with anyone you think might enjoy it too. Just use the share buttons on the side of the page. Thank You.

What to expect at a Women Only Weight Loss Retreat

If you are thinking about attending a women’s weight loss retreat (not just a Body Retreat one… although of course we think we are the best), you will probably have a few questions as to whether it will be suitable for you, There a lot of options out there, from weight loss bootcamp to weight loss holiday the choice seems vast so the following information may help you make your decision.

First of all, note that a “women’s weight loss retreat“ will mean different things to different people, no matter whether they are running the retreat or attending it! We all have different ideas and expectations, so, you will need to do your research first to ensure you find the retreat that is most suitable for you.

Questions to Consider when choosing a Weight Loss Retreat:

What sort of events / activities will you be taking part in? Are they a mix of cardio, plus high and low impact exercise to not only burn those calories off, but shape and tone your body too? A variety of exercises and activities will help keep you engaged in what you are doing, so you (should!) enjoy them more;
How big are the groups at each retreat? Obviously, the smaller the groups, the more personalised and individual attention you will get – helping you to achieve your goals that much quicker and prevent the likelihood of injury;
Also who else is attending the retreat? Often the staff on Women Only Retreats are male and its not unheard of for advertised women only to take men, so ask the question. Is it a mixed retreat, could you be the only female in the group? Will you be in good company that can help and support you or is the environment competitive and strict?
What sort of diet will you be on? Some retreats will severely restrict your calories or put you on to a liquid only diet. Others, such as ourselves, provide tasty and nutritionally sound meals that provide the foundations to helping you shed the unnecessary weight – and maintain that weight loss;
Is the focus purely on losing weight, or does the retreat programme include looking at all areas of your health and well-being? For example, our weight loss retreats are designed to help you think about the relationship between your lifestyle, weight, nutrition and health – and creating a balance.
What is the age range on the retreat? Not only of the clients but also the instructors and experts. You will want to feel comfortable and have common ground with those around you.
And last but by no means least, what results can you expect to gain and maintain? This is an important question because the truth is that when you eat less and move more you will lose weight, but will you continue to lose or maintain the weight loss? Read the testimonials, ask to speak to a past client so you can find out for yourself what the post programme support helped them to achieve.

What happens at The Body Retreat Weight Loss Retreat?

There are a few things that make our retreats different to some others – our groups are small for a personalised service and we have an online support community after the event where you can talk to other women who have been, or are going on, the same life changing journey as you.

Ours is a holistic approach, and all our retreats are based on our 4 Pillars of Wellbeing, they are Behaviour, Nutrition, Exercise and R&R so our days are balanced to ensure that you have the time you need to not only make change but to really embed it so that it becomes habitual.

The experts we have chosen to support us on our retreat are women who have studied female health and wellbeing extensively, they have years of experience and more than that as all our team are women they understand the nuances of the journey each women makes to achieving the body and fitness she wants and deserves. You can be confident that you are always in the very best care.

And last but by no means least The Body Retreat venues offer you every comfort and luxury you would expect at a spa retreat, from the spa facilities, power showers and deep bath tubs, fluffy bathrobes and towels through to beautiful healthy food that not only is a delight for your eyes and tastebuds. We have designed a unique retreat experience that is based on results but hasn’t neglected pleasure and relaxation.

What is a typical day like on Weight Loss Retreat?

Depending on the type of weight loss retreat you are attending, a typical day may consist of around 8 hours of different activities – for example, a variety of toning and cardio activities such as circuits, Nordic walking, kettlebells, pilates, yoga, and boxing etc as well as health, nutrition and well- being workshops. Most retreats will have an early start with exercise before breakfast, we start our days with our Wake Up Workout, a short and snappy workout deigned to wake your metabolism and get you into fat burning straight away.

On some retreats you will be exercising outside all day. We try to get outdoors as much as possible (weather permitting) and show you how you can exercise and get fit without the need for lots of equipment or gym memberships. We are also lucky to have indoor exercise areas so that if…or should that be when the good old British weather lets us down we can still follow a full programme dry and safe from the elements.

Our venues have a pool and most have sauna, hot tub and steam room, so as well as take part in aqua aerobics sessions or pool workouts you can also have a leisurely swim and relax those muscles at the end of the day.

R&R is a very important part of making change stick, you will work hard on a Weight Loss Retreat and there will be challenges and change to overcome, so having time every day to relax, enjoy a complimentary massage treatment, have time to reflect on your decision to join the retreat, just have time for you …when was the last time you had time just for you?

While the other ladies at the weight loss retreat will be people just like you, you don’t have to worry about needing your own space. It is up to you as to how sociable you are during your free time. Some of our ladies will go off to their room for a hot bath and to watch the TV while others may sit together and chat over a herbal tea – it’s your choice!

At The Body Retreat, we don’t advocate any diet, diets do not work! What does work is making a healthy conscious choice that is just right for you and your body. Making a positive healthy choice because you want to, because you care about your body. And anyway, life is too short to spend it worrying about what to eat and not eat…or worse eating bland tasteless food in the quest for weight loss. When I hear of the latest Diet trend I’m always reminded of a great quote by Dolly Parton

“I tried every diet in the book. I tried some that weren’t in the book.

I tried eating the book. It tasted better than most of the diets.”

Dolly-Parton-It-s-All-Wrong-But-Banner-I4-N5TF-KJF8-SA9M-orig

Our retreat workshops will help you identify just what aspects of your life are influencing your weight and fitness choices. Lifestyle is a generic concept that encompasses a range of factors, all of which are important to understand and take control of if you are to start to improve your body and the way you feel about it.

There is more to a Weight Loss Retreat than “Eat Less & Move More”

So, you see a Weight Loss Retreat is more than simply doing exercises and learning about eating the right sort of foodstuffs. It is about establishing mechanisms to empower you to start having more self-confidence and to do things differently in terms of your overall lifestyle.

If this all sounds a little theoretical, then be reassured that at our retreats there’s lots of emphasis on fun and practicality! This is about groups of women coming together to participate in sessions that have been designed by women and for women, with the ultimate objective of helping you achieve your goals.

Whatever your age or fitness level ,or long term goal you are likely to find the approach here at The Body Retreat to be thorough, practical and above all enjoyable!

I hope you found this article helpful to support you in asking the right questions and making the right choice for a Weight Loss Retreat that works for you.

And if you ave any questions about our women only weight loss retreat, don’t hesitate to ask 🙂

Good Luck

Ditch the Diets…7 Healthy Ways to Eat Less

We hate Diets at The Body Retreat!

Now both in our 40’s and like a lot of the ladies who join us now on our Weight Loss Retreats we have both been through the gambit of almost every Diet going, The F-Plan, The Cabbage Soup Diet, Weight Watchers, Atkins, The South Beach Diet, The Dukan Diet, The 5:2 plan…… the list goes on and on and on. We are yet to meet a happy Dieter. The idea that excluding whole food groups or by meticulously weighting and measuring every mouthful is going to make you healthy let alone happy is really quite ridiculous to us.

What diets do is set individuals up for disappointment and dysfunctional relationship with food and yet it is almost a national pastime. Every new Diet fad to hit the shelves brings with it a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe this will be the one.

The problem is that chronic dieting can actually lead to weight gain in the long term, as metabolism and hormones are thrown out of balance. So, women have been left feeling unhappy about their weight and their bodies. They are confused about what they can and cannot eat and when they should eat it. Should they fast, or graze, or stick to three square meals a day? Is fat the enemy or is it now sugar? Many see the plethora of Diet foods available in he supermarkets as the answer, after all its all weighed and measured for you, surely those who produce the meals will know what is good. Yet the unwanted and unnecessary weight stays put. Diets don’t work in the long term, they are not deigned to be a way of life.

At The Body Retreat no real whole food is off limits. Following the 80/20 principle we advocate that you cut the CRAP from your diet. 80% of the time you eat clean and as close to nature as possible. Choosing meals based on meat, fish, grains, pulses, fruit and veggies with small amounts of diary and good fats. Then 20% of the time you enjoy eating whatever you like…literally. No points, no syns and most importantly no guilt!!

You can read more about the 80/20% Principle for Weight Loss here.

On our Weight Loss Retreats we look to empower women to regain control of their health first. Making conscious choices that respect and protect their body, learning to listen to what the body really wants and needs. When you put health first, weight loss will follow.

Our 7 Healthy Ways to Eat Less is a great place to start to build a better relationship with food while at the same time supporting your body to shed the weight that is unnecessary for it.

1. Only Eat When You are Truly Hungry.

How often have you confused hunger with thirst or emotion. Very often we eat when we are not really hungry and so it is difficult to hear the “I’m satisfied” signal from your tummy. This can easily lead to overeating and weight gain. Learn to listen to your body and only eat when you are truly hungry.

2. Eat Real Food.

If you can pick it, plant it or catch it then eat it. If the ingredients sound like a school chemistry experiment then stay well clear. I know that many of you will say “but I don’t have time to prepare and cook real food” but healthy food doesn’t have to be long winded. Scramble some eggs, grill a piece of fish or throw a potato in the oven. Yes it will take some time to get used to a new way of preparing food, but it is change that is well worth making the effort in the first instance.

3. Eat Protein with Every Main Meal.

Protein is more satisfying than carbohydrates. Getting enough protein helps preserve muscle mass and encourages fat burning while keeping you feeling full. So be sure to include healthy protein sources, like good organic meat, fish or dairy, nuts, or beans at meals.

4. Use a Smaller Plate.

Did you know that the average dinner plate has grown from 9 inches to 14-16 inches? Not to mention those lovely bistro bowls that are so popular now, you know there really deep ones so you can get all your delicious sauce to stay put. In their infinite wisdom some marketing chap decided that they can make more money selling us bigger plates and so the average dinner plate has evolved into something quite huge. The trouble is, is that your tummy hasn’t evolved to keep up, our stomach is the size of our own clenched fist. So in any one sitting you should not eat more than what would fill your clenched fist. Choosing to eat from a smaller plate helps your brian to become accustomed to less food without feeling deprived as a full plate sends a signal to the brain that you are having a full meal.

5. Sit Down & Pay Attention.

When you do eat you want to eat mindful of the healthy nutritious foods you have chosen. You want your body to have the time it needs to properly digest the foods so that you get the maximum energy and nutrition from every bite. So don’t eat on the go, sit down, even if its only for 5-10 minutes. Pay attention to the food on your plate and most importantly when its in your mouth. Chew slowly, really savour every mouthful.

6. Put Your Cutlery Down Between Each Mouthful.

This is one of the healthy habits we adopt on all our Body Retreats. Putting your cutlery down between each mouthful slows down your eating by about 25% therefore giving you time to properly digest the food and very importantly allowing time for the “I’m Satisfied” signal to reach your brain telling you to stop eating.

7. No Water While You Eat

Back in the day I can remember specifically being told that drinking lots of water with every meal made you feel full up faster and so you didn’t eat as much. True..BUT..and its a big BUT here.. the water you drink is absorbed in about 15 minutes and so you are left feeling unsatisfied and more likely to snack on fattening foods later in the day. Also drinking water at meal times dilutes your digestive enzymes and so your body is not able to get the maximum nutrition form the foods you have chosen, so it is kind of a lose, lose situation. Drink right up until you start eating and stop until about 15/20 mins after you have finished your meal.

Follow these simple 7 Healthy Steps to Eat Less and you will soon notice a huge difference in not only your waist line, but in your energy levels and digestive health too.

It really is time to ditch the diets and instead focus on making healthy choices about what we put into our body, because we care about our body, because we care about ourselves.

Ditch the Diet

What do you think? I’d love to hear your experience of dieting or even better how you quit dieting and started losing weight. Please leave me a comment in the box at the bottom and if you know a serial dieter who would benefit form reading this blog then please do share it with them…a ll you need to do is click the social media button and woos its done.

Get Summer Swimsuit Confidence right now

Swimsuit season is upon us, and this year it seems that we may not even need to go abroad to have the opportunity to get a tan. But it can be a nervous time for some us as we prepare to bare all in our summer swimsuit or bikini. Is your swimsuit confidence low?

The first thing to remember when you think about peeling off those layers is Don’t Panic!! You are not alone…. It’s natural for everyone regardless of size, shape or age to feel a little daunted when it comes to showing more of our bodies to random strangers than we normally show to our best friends.

Below are our Top Tips for Summer Swimsuit Confidence right now!!

Find the right suit for you

The first step to being swimsuit confident starts with finding the right suit for your body. Be sure to pick a suit that flatters your figure, boosting all your best assets. Feeling confident that everything is being supported and held in or up in all the right places gives you piece of mind so you can relax and enjoy the sunshine.

Swimsuit Confidence Starts Within

Remember nobody is perfect, so focus on the parts of your body that you like not those you don’t. Your energy follows your attention, so if you are thinking about how good your legs are, rather than how much you hate your tummy, that positive thought sparks off a happy endorphin in your brain, which makes you feel good.

When we feel good we act good and it becomes much easier to stick to our healthy eating and exercise plans and not be derailed. Even if you’re having an off day, hold your head up high and smile – seeing is believing, and the more self-assured you act, the better you will feel, and the more you will believe you really do have a summer swimsuit body.

Don’t Compare, Focus on the Positive

If you ever catch yourself comparing yourself to any of your gazelle-like friends or model types on the beach, re-channel that energy into being thankful about your own body and situation in life. Just close your eyes and remind yourself of three great things in your life and you will begin to feel a warm feeling of satisfaction and gratitude. There’s no reason to let your mind go to a negative place.

Exercise Boosts Body Confidence

Before you hit the beach schedule a yoga class or a brisk walk the day before. Exercise has tons of benefits, but the purpose of exercising right before you bear all in your swimsuit is all about the confidence boost it gives you about your own body.

If you are going abroad, no mater how little time you have before you fly, start doing the Plank exercise twice a day every day. It’s easy!

Time yourself and begin with holding good posture for just one minute:

Shoulders back and down, stomach in and head held high and strong

Start to build this up every day until you can comfortably hold Plank pose for five mins twice a day. This will strengthen your core, making it feel tighter, you will hold yourself upright and your body will feel strong and confident.

Eat Clean Healthy Food

Another way to achieve some easy swimsuit confidence boost is by eating healthy foods, so in the week before you fly make it your mission to only eat the cleanest, healthiest most delectable foods. Cut back on the carbs, only one small portion of carbs per day and no carbs after lunchtime. Focus on lean proteins, fish, seafood, fruits and veg.

Dehydration can also make you feel sluggish and this in turn makes you feel like giving up on your good work. So drink plenty of water, increase you daily intake to between 1.5 – 2 litres of still water. Your skin and your waistline will be the better for it in only a few days.

Prepare to Bare

We all need to give our body a bit of TLC after hiding it away under tights, jeans sweaters etc all winter. If you haven’t already then now is the time to invest in a body brush, this one simple little tool will transform the look and feel of your skin in next to no time. Just 5 mins body brushing every morning will not only wake up a sluggish circulation but will get your skin glowing.

Retreat Yourself

And finally….perhaps you would feel more confident if you were to lose a few pounds, tone up a few wobbly areas and really get your glow back.

It can be tough to juggle changing habits, increase your activity levels, prepare healthy and nutritious foods while at the same time juggling work, family and all the other roles you have. Did you know that all the women in the photos on our website are real Body Retreat clients on a real Body Retreat?

Our ladies join us not for a quick fix but rather to gain control over their health and well-being for life… and that is real confidence. Its not a size or shape or a number on the scale or swimsuit…but rather body confidence for life. Why not join us on our women only weight loss retreat and achieve body confidence that will last long after the swimsuit season ends.

Year: 2014