Author: Jabernet

Having hidden behind trees every time the camera came out during our summer holidays I thought it was time to sort myself out. I was in my late 40s and realised if I didn’t address my weight and sedentary lifestyle soon I would never do it with that came obvious health risks.  I had tried almost every diet plan in the past with limited success and my only regular exercise was walking our two dogs.

So in September I signed up and with Julie’s encouragement and advice I adopted a healthy eating plan that could easily fit in with the family as well as a new exercise regime. The results were instant with staggering weight loss of 4-5 pounds a week from the start.

Lucy – after

Lucy – before

Now, 6 months on, having lost 3 ½ stone I am feeling literally a new woman. People comment that I am half the woman I used to be and I feel good- confident, healthy and full of energy. I am now running 2-3 times a week as well as cycling and of course walking the dogs. Since I had my picture taken I have continued to lose those last few pounds too . I could not have done it on my own and Julie’s quiet inspiration, advice and support certainly were the catalyst for my change. Thank you

The Body Retreat changed my life, I was 44 and I refused to settle for being a few stone overweight. My weight had crept up slowly over the previous few years and had stuck at around 13st. I thought I was doing everything right. I exercised most days and ate sensibly. But still the weight would not shift and I was at a loss as to why.

For the past 6 years my New Years resolution was to “lose weight and get fitter”. The year would start off OK losing 1 or 2lbs a week for a few weeks but then it would just creep back on. It was very disheartening.

I was about to resign to being this weight and size until I began to research weight loss and fitness holidays. I chose a weight loss retreat as it sounded just what I needed – a combination of exercise, nutrition and behaviour workshops.  During the week I lost 5lbs, I was ecstatic, seeing the result on the scales and tape measure was a massive incentive to carry on.

I loved trying all the different exercises, the workshops and pushing myself to my working heart rate. The food was excellent and I realised that I can survive on much smaller portions than I was used to. The workshops were extremely enlightening and I found out why I was struggling to lose weight – I didn’t have any specific goals, I wasn’t eating as healthy as I thought, nor was I exercising in my “fat burning zone”.

My room mate was fantastic, we supported each other throughout the week, we still keep in contact now, updating each other on our progress.  One of the best things about the week was discovering that I could actually run.  I had never run before in my life, not even at school.

Being back in the real world was daunting at first. I was apprehensive of eating anything other than whole, unprocessed foods. My shopping trolley was virtually empty after my first food shop. But I took on board everything I had learnt and put it in to practice.

Wendy – after

Wendy – before

I used a weekly planner to record my 3 meals and snacks per day, so I knew what I would be eating and when. I really enjoyed my food and I certainly was not on a “diet”. I adhered to my exercise regime and generally became more active on a daily basis.

My new regime resulted in a steady weight loss between 0.5-2lb per week. It was absolutely unbelievable I was completely amazed the plan was working. After 6 years of no change it was extremely rewarding and felt almost effortless because I was enjoying my exercise and I wasn’t on a diet.

After a few more weeks people started noticing the difference in my shape and asking what was my secret. I told them all about eating healthy food, portion control, exercising for optimum results and to have a goal.

By November 2009, 8 months later,  I was under 10 stone, which was more than I could ever have hoped for and surpassed all my initial weight loss goals.

18 months later. Sept 2010

I can now eat what I want, and by balancing my level of exercise and food intake, I am confident I am able to continue to maintain this weight.

Attending bootcamp has transformed my life. It is a great way to kick start a new regime and work towards personal goals. Once you see the results of physical activity and sensible eating you will never look back.

Total Weight Loss = 3stone 3lbs

I am still following the principles, exercising and running regularly and really enjoying food. My weight loss has settled and I am now a size 12/10.

I am now the fittest and slimmest I have ever been with a new love of running. Next year I will be entering my first marathon.

* Wendy completed her first marathon in April 2012, 3 years after she attended her first residential retreat *

I came upon The Body Retreat in a period of desperation.  My relationship had ended because I’d  put on weight  or so I believed then – he’d always said he didn’t “do fat”!!  Neither did I but I couldn’t seem to lose it and I was in a bad place.

I’d taken part in the Brighton Marathon earlier that year, completed in 6 hours, 37 minutes but I hadn’t kept up with the fitness regime.  I’d moved out of his and couldn’t be bothered – or should I say, didn’t have time.

By August 2011, I decided I needed a personal trainer to motivate me so Googled just that. Up came Jules camp and, at the very last minute, I phoned Julie Brealy and asked if I could join the week long camp, taking place in a couple of days time. I needed to get away and take time out. This might do the trick. It might not be restful but it would take me out of myself.  She said yes and I turned up, nervously brave.

I was amazed how much we were all taken care of. Every waking moment seemed to be accommodated. Get up now, drink this, eat that, run now, box here, wipe the sweat off and keep going.   Daily hikes/jogs of between 4 and 10 miles, sometimes wearing a 1 Stone weighted jacket showed us what it was like to carry more weight than we needed.  So heavy to lift and wear and yet so wonderful to take off, it showed me what effect some of this excess weight had on my general life and effort in walking or running for the bus.

There was a nutritionist telling us how to eat and, more importantly why – it all seemed to make sense. We had a hypnotherapist and a behavioural therapist talking about our personalities and lifestyle issues. Every element of our lives seemed to be addressed, emotional, physical, practical – totally holistic. All this and laughter too, it was so much fun, surprisingly.

Ali – after

Ali – before

Julie was very supportive, cheerfully motivating us and totally caring. I don’t know how she did it. We were all individuals and not just numbers. I felt I’d made friends for life during that week. There was a common bond between us. No-one was more glamorous, thinner, lovelier – we were all the same – all needing something and all receiving it.

The meals were amazing, small but enough. Given all the exercise, sometimes 10 hour’s worth a day, it seemed to me, I was never hungry. How did that work? The mantra was – Eat slow, smell it, enjoy it, stop when you’re satisfied and leave something on the plate. It worked for me. I ate everything put in front of me and in spite of the fact that I am rather food phobic and frightened of certain things, it was a revelation that actually, all those “horrid” things like olives, capers, tomatoes etc were actually really lovely.

By the end of the week, blisters aside, I felt fantastic. The linen casual trousers I had arrived in were now huge. I triumphantly stuck both arms down the front of them, past the elbows and showed off. The grand weigh in revealed I had lost 8 lbs and lots of inches. I felt amazing.  I was suffering from a stress psoriasis when I arrived, yet it had all but healed up totally by the time I left.  This busy, physically demanding week was totally stress free and better than a holiday. Actually it was a holiday. My friends were bored of me constantly going on about it – pleased bored, but bored…

I left and was so happy. I visited a supermarket and bought different foods, determined to start again and keep up the good work.

I’ve now taken part in 3 other retreats and I love them. I’m a real advocate because its worked for me. The good eating habits continued (yes the fitness needs working on) and I have just reached a total loss of 2 stone. I’m lighter and more compact than I’ve been in 10 years.  I’ve reached a size 12 bottom half and size 14 top half – from sizes 16/18.  Its cost me a small fortune to buy a new wardrobe, but I’m so happy. I feel invigorated and my friends and family think I look good and so smiley. I really should ask Julie for a 2 stone weighted jacket and then I’d see where I’d come from.

The troubled start of the year has done me a huge favour – it motivated me to look at myself and do something about those things I didn’t like. Julie Brealy and her camp has enabled me to find myself again – so important because I was well and truly lost before I met her.