So, 1st of June. Not only important as it's my husband's birthday, but its the day the Strickers clan have embarked on Tim Ferris's '4 Hour Body'. In fact the 4 hours in our case is not relevant, the title refers to how you can build a body you want in only 4 hours of exercise in a month. Yep, you read it right readers, a month!
Given that I'm teaching 9 classes a week, I can't experiment on that like he says so I thought I would try the 'recomp your body' challenge instead. All of us in the house have a reason to shift some poundage and so we started today!
I like to see how these things work. So with 4 people of different body types, metabolisms and lifestyles in this house we have all agreed to follow it for at least 4 weeks. One fairly sedentary adult male, one adult female fitness instructor, one almost 18 year old female newly out of college and working in retail, one 16 year old female student with a prom dress to wear on 30th June!
So I did everyone's body fat measurement, circumferential measurements, took pics in undies front on, side on, rear on. As we have visible, measurable evidence now, we'd better start!
The rules are: (quite similar to Fit Camp rules really)
1) no white carbohydrate foods (or foods that could be white with refining) . Foods like sugar, flour, pasta, spuds...usual suspects really and not a problem for me, the rest of my gang may well miss spuds.
2) eat 4 times a day. COOL!! This does mean no snacking though (a possible problem for 16 year old) but when he lists it as breakfast, lunch, 2nd lunch and dinner. We reckon that's decadent and feel like we're being spoiled!
3) don't drink calories (problem for 18 year old who likes fruit juice)
4) don't eat fruit
5) take one day off per week (and eat what you want! :-) ) -- kind of liking this idea!
So, today I had:
Breakfast: courgette, onion, spinach and garlic 2 egg omelette, with lettuce, guacamole and cannellini beans.
Lunch 1: Salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, carrots) cold roast chicken thigh, refried beans, guacamole.
Lunch 2: Salad, tuna, white beans
Dinner: Vietnamese River Cobbler dusted in almond flour and shallow fried, stir fried onion, carrot, broccoli, peas, mashed cannellini beans (almost like mashed spuds!)
Feel neither stuffed, nor hungry. Day one done!
My weight this morning - 12 st 7lbs, BodyFat 22.9%
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Oh good -- another course!
Yesterday afternoon I found myself in Harley Street attending yet another course. I guess I am quite addicted to courses, but it was a fascinating romp through 'Bio-Typing' and how to use it as a practitioner.
Bio-Typing is the method of categorising people into groups with similar traits. Each group has similar physical attributes and personality characteristics that mark them out as a certain type of person. This type is then used to work out the best way to eat, lose fat, gain muscle, play sport etc.
Given that we all know that we're not the same (how can it be that one person can live on crap food and loads of it and yet never gain a pound and the rest of us... well you know how the story goes!). It makes sense to me that there may be a different way to achieve good health.
Alessandro Ferretti took us through a brief history of Bio Typing before taking us through to the bit we all wanted to hear, the different types. There are 5 types and the first thing you need to do to identify someone is consider their height. You then consider their torso, limb length, hand size maybe even gait. By this time he reckons you should have 80% of people down to a certain type. The remaining 20% may need further assessing or tweaking.
By the time all 8 of us had entered the room and sat down, Alessandro had already worked out what we all were. By the end of the description of different types some of us still didn't know what category we fell into, but he knew! With a few simple questions like 'do you like kids?', or 'would you be seen driving a Skoda?' he had us all convinced as to which category we should be in.
The dietary guidelines for each group vary so that all groups can have optimum good health. I am a 'P' type, I am going to try my new way for 4 weeks and see how I get on. I'll keep you posted!
The afternoon was a fascinating introduction into a method of health management that Alessandro has been using in his practice for many years with outstanding results.
For more information on how you can optimise your health with a combination of Bio-Typing and nutritional and health advice drop me a line at heidi@strickers.org.uk.
Bio-Typing is the method of categorising people into groups with similar traits. Each group has similar physical attributes and personality characteristics that mark them out as a certain type of person. This type is then used to work out the best way to eat, lose fat, gain muscle, play sport etc.
Given that we all know that we're not the same (how can it be that one person can live on crap food and loads of it and yet never gain a pound and the rest of us... well you know how the story goes!). It makes sense to me that there may be a different way to achieve good health.
Alessandro Ferretti took us through a brief history of Bio Typing before taking us through to the bit we all wanted to hear, the different types. There are 5 types and the first thing you need to do to identify someone is consider their height. You then consider their torso, limb length, hand size maybe even gait. By this time he reckons you should have 80% of people down to a certain type. The remaining 20% may need further assessing or tweaking.
By the time all 8 of us had entered the room and sat down, Alessandro had already worked out what we all were. By the end of the description of different types some of us still didn't know what category we fell into, but he knew! With a few simple questions like 'do you like kids?', or 'would you be seen driving a Skoda?' he had us all convinced as to which category we should be in.
The dietary guidelines for each group vary so that all groups can have optimum good health. I am a 'P' type, I am going to try my new way for 4 weeks and see how I get on. I'll keep you posted!
The afternoon was a fascinating introduction into a method of health management that Alessandro has been using in his practice for many years with outstanding results.
For more information on how you can optimise your health with a combination of Bio-Typing and nutritional and health advice drop me a line at heidi@strickers.org.uk.
Monday, February 7, 2011
100 days until my birthday...
So, on 18th May I shall no longer be 40. I really dreaded turning 40 last year, but now I've done it I quite like the new view over here so thought I would really focus myself on the last third of me being 40 and set some goals in order to GSD (get stuff done). I know I could have done this on 1 January, but I have not been too dynamic this year so far and needed something to give me a kick in the right direction.
I won't bore you with it too much, some of the goals are personal and you'll get an overview at best! The others I can be more specific with. 100 days is a good amount of time to GSD. There are several self-development programmes available which you can buy to help you keep your motivation up and success rate high. I have decided to see what I can achieve on my own, maybe with the support of my family where necessary. I am sure it will do them good too.
So...what does this mean exactly? Well if I make it public what my intentions are each week then I am more inclined to succeed. I have a few categories.
1. Health 2. Wealth 3. Personal / Family 4. Business / Development
Here's to the next 100 days...
P.S. Here is what I looked like on my 40th birthday...courtesy of the 'Sensible Pencil', a caricaturist I had at my party. He was good entertainment!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
New month, new course!
Some of you will think all I do is spend my time trying out new 'diets' or going on courses...well yep you're about right. And it certainly looks that way for the past 4 weeks or so.
At the end of November I headed off to Swansea to have my head filled with more amazing information from Phil Richards. This time it was all about the 'Gut and Brain Connection'. It was a fascinating trip through the intestine and brain to learn how to help overcome depression, post-natal depression, dementia, alcoholism, ADD, ADHD...the list goes on.
I left there once again with a pretty long book list. Not as long as the chap next to me who was adding each reference mentioned into his i-pad -- his Amazon wishlist was about 50 books long by the end!
This weekend Vida and I have been to Richmond for an interview for the Institute of Optimum Nutrition 3 year Nutritional Therapist Course. I have wanted to do this course for 20 years, looks like 2011 might just be my year. I need to do a Science access course first to get my science basics upto scratch before I start proper. But I think from January onwards I am going to be Mrs Nose-in-Book.
And just to round it all off for the year, the two of us are off to Islington next Saturday for an Elimination Diet information day at Dax Moy's pad, well studio...but with about 45 fitness instructors heading in the same direction it is feeling like it will be another really interesting day.
I think I am going to work out how much I have invested in my training and development this year. It's good to learn!
At the end of November I headed off to Swansea to have my head filled with more amazing information from Phil Richards. This time it was all about the 'Gut and Brain Connection'. It was a fascinating trip through the intestine and brain to learn how to help overcome depression, post-natal depression, dementia, alcoholism, ADD, ADHD...the list goes on.
I left there once again with a pretty long book list. Not as long as the chap next to me who was adding each reference mentioned into his i-pad -- his Amazon wishlist was about 50 books long by the end!
This weekend Vida and I have been to Richmond for an interview for the Institute of Optimum Nutrition 3 year Nutritional Therapist Course. I have wanted to do this course for 20 years, looks like 2011 might just be my year. I need to do a Science access course first to get my science basics upto scratch before I start proper. But I think from January onwards I am going to be Mrs Nose-in-Book.
And just to round it all off for the year, the two of us are off to Islington next Saturday for an Elimination Diet information day at Dax Moy's pad, well studio...but with about 45 fitness instructors heading in the same direction it is feeling like it will be another really interesting day.
I think I am going to work out how much I have invested in my training and development this year. It's good to learn!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Results at end of week 2...
Weight 11.13 (down a lb this week) could be 12stone again tomorrow so not bothered by this.
Chest 94 cm (down 2cms)
Waist 82 cm (down 5 cms)
Belly 87 cm (down 3cms)
Hips 100 cm (down 3cms)
Legs say the same
Feel and look leaner. Need to get to bed earlier this week though and get some of my own training in.
Made onion bhajis yesterday. Lovely (no wheat before you ask, Gram flour)
Made soaked then roasted almond butter today (lovely)
Got a stash of hummous to keep us going through the week.
Report back next week for week 3 results!
Chest 94 cm (down 2cms)
Waist 82 cm (down 5 cms)
Belly 87 cm (down 3cms)
Hips 100 cm (down 3cms)
Legs say the same
Feel and look leaner. Need to get to bed earlier this week though and get some of my own training in.
Made onion bhajis yesterday. Lovely (no wheat before you ask, Gram flour)
Made soaked then roasted almond butter today (lovely)
Got a stash of hummous to keep us going through the week.
Report back next week for week 3 results!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Week 2 - half way through
Well I am almost 2 weeks through. I thought I'd round up the week today and then do my weighing and measuring tomorrow (Sunday) as Fit Camp kicks off again on Monday and the early starts get in the way of such things.
The week has been good. I weighed and measured on Monday and it was all the 3's.
Weight loss - 3lbs
Waist - down 3 cm
Belly - down 3cms
Hips - down 3cms
Chest and legs the same.
Energy levels and hunger have been much more level this week. Sleeping has been OK although getting to bed earlier would be preferred. Have had 2 meals out this week and just managed to stay within the level 3 boundaries. I did have to leave tomato and pepper on the plate after having a salad at a pub on Thursday with Vida. That's was annoying. I don't like wasting food really, but I do want to see how 30 days of the ED proper feels.
Last night we had a guest over and so went to Milton's in Wokingham. The food was lovely but it was incredibly difficult to chose anything that fitted the diet plan. Ended up with 2 starters, a soup and a salad. Damn the sun-dried tomato bread looked inviting!
On Monday this week Dax Moy, the creator of this Elimination Diet, had a tele-seminar to give a bit more information about the plan and also for people to ask questions. It was very interesting and was good to hear that lots of people were getting some great weight and inch loss results with it.
I've eaten a fair few eggs this week, a hell of a lot of spinach and I have developed a new soaked nut butter which has been very popular with the family. As we're not eating grains nut butter is being eaten on apples, celery, raspberries! You name a food vehicle; we can get nut butter on it.
I am also giving up with organic avocados. They are always rotten inside, I have thrown 5 out of 6 away this week, it is very annoying.
Dale went to the market (near the end of the day is good, because Mr Stall-Holder wants rid of stock) and bought back a shed load of veg for the week. All for 20 quid. The same quantity in one of our large supermarkets would have been easily double the price. Best of all through is the 36 free range eggs from the market for £3.50. You can't get a dozen free range eggs in Sainsburys for that!
The reason for the money talk...its the one downside to this plan. For us, it is more expensive than before. So if I can buy more veg locally it will save us money to Mr Tesco or Sainsbury.
Incidentally also did my normal work classes, a 50 minute run and a Boot Camp session in the garden this week. I don't expect the scales to have changed, but the fact that I did the extra exercise is a huge improvement. I am usually not willing at all. Energy levels are up!
Results tomorrow.
The week has been good. I weighed and measured on Monday and it was all the 3's.
Weight loss - 3lbs
Waist - down 3 cm
Belly - down 3cms
Hips - down 3cms
Chest and legs the same.
Energy levels and hunger have been much more level this week. Sleeping has been OK although getting to bed earlier would be preferred. Have had 2 meals out this week and just managed to stay within the level 3 boundaries. I did have to leave tomato and pepper on the plate after having a salad at a pub on Thursday with Vida. That's was annoying. I don't like wasting food really, but I do want to see how 30 days of the ED proper feels.
Last night we had a guest over and so went to Milton's in Wokingham. The food was lovely but it was incredibly difficult to chose anything that fitted the diet plan. Ended up with 2 starters, a soup and a salad. Damn the sun-dried tomato bread looked inviting!
On Monday this week Dax Moy, the creator of this Elimination Diet, had a tele-seminar to give a bit more information about the plan and also for people to ask questions. It was very interesting and was good to hear that lots of people were getting some great weight and inch loss results with it.
I've eaten a fair few eggs this week, a hell of a lot of spinach and I have developed a new soaked nut butter which has been very popular with the family. As we're not eating grains nut butter is being eaten on apples, celery, raspberries! You name a food vehicle; we can get nut butter on it.
I am also giving up with organic avocados. They are always rotten inside, I have thrown 5 out of 6 away this week, it is very annoying.
Dale went to the market (near the end of the day is good, because Mr Stall-Holder wants rid of stock) and bought back a shed load of veg for the week. All for 20 quid. The same quantity in one of our large supermarkets would have been easily double the price. Best of all through is the 36 free range eggs from the market for £3.50. You can't get a dozen free range eggs in Sainsburys for that!
The reason for the money talk...its the one downside to this plan. For us, it is more expensive than before. So if I can buy more veg locally it will save us money to Mr Tesco or Sainsbury.
Incidentally also did my normal work classes, a 50 minute run and a Boot Camp session in the garden this week. I don't expect the scales to have changed, but the fact that I did the extra exercise is a huge improvement. I am usually not willing at all. Energy levels are up!
Results tomorrow.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Week 1 round up.
It's been a great week. The Elimination Diet has been really good for me, I accept it won't suit everyone, but I'm doing well on it. I am not a keen weigher and so the 3lb loss is nice, but not a decider on this plan. The reduced bulk around my middle and especially the belly is noticeable. I'll measure properly tomorrow when I am 7 days through.
Vida and I went to London yesterday to do some Fit Camp training, it was very interesting and useful. Campers beware!
I am not missing eating grains. Of course walking through Liverpool Street Station yesterday with the smells from Costa (love the smell of coffee) and pastries wafting out at you is nice and I do think 'ooh, I miss those'. But I do think that once the 30 days is over I would be much happier to stay grain free if I can reintroduce the tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, squashes etc. My plate looks very samey each meal.
A few other noticeable changes. Despite drinking more water than I normally would (I'm up to 3+ litres a day) I now drink because I am thirsty. I've increased my veg and fruit and water and now feel more thirsty than ever!
Waking up better. I am not an early bird as our Early Risers know too well, but I am certainly a bit more sprightly in the morning. Even today (Sunday) I was awake at 7, breakfast, showered and ready to go by 7.45. Unheard of normally.
Digestion much improved. Skin condition improved. Leveling out of blood sugar. Daughter 2 is feeling lighter but no difference on the scales, and daughter 1 has lost bloatedness, some weight and is sleeping better.
So, we're a quarter of the way through. Here's to week 2.
Today's menu:
B: Red grapefruit & handful of grapes followed by blueberry omelette in coconut oil -- damn that's good.
L: Chicken salad
D: Cauliflower and lentil curry in coconut milk with curried okra.
Snacks, homemade hummous, veggies, fruit, soaked nuts (not all of these, but this is what I chose from)
ooh! PS. Dale bought some fruits from the market which we had no idea what they were. We didn't know if you ate the skin or not, so I did. Have since discovered it was a Sharon fruit, very nice. Got two more of those to nibble on too.
Vida and I went to London yesterday to do some Fit Camp training, it was very interesting and useful. Campers beware!
I am not missing eating grains. Of course walking through Liverpool Street Station yesterday with the smells from Costa (love the smell of coffee) and pastries wafting out at you is nice and I do think 'ooh, I miss those'. But I do think that once the 30 days is over I would be much happier to stay grain free if I can reintroduce the tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, squashes etc. My plate looks very samey each meal.
A few other noticeable changes. Despite drinking more water than I normally would (I'm up to 3+ litres a day) I now drink because I am thirsty. I've increased my veg and fruit and water and now feel more thirsty than ever!
Waking up better. I am not an early bird as our Early Risers know too well, but I am certainly a bit more sprightly in the morning. Even today (Sunday) I was awake at 7, breakfast, showered and ready to go by 7.45. Unheard of normally.
Digestion much improved. Skin condition improved. Leveling out of blood sugar. Daughter 2 is feeling lighter but no difference on the scales, and daughter 1 has lost bloatedness, some weight and is sleeping better.
So, we're a quarter of the way through. Here's to week 2.
Today's menu:
B: Red grapefruit & handful of grapes followed by blueberry omelette in coconut oil -- damn that's good.
L: Chicken salad
D: Cauliflower and lentil curry in coconut milk with curried okra.
Snacks, homemade hummous, veggies, fruit, soaked nuts (not all of these, but this is what I chose from)
ooh! PS. Dale bought some fruits from the market which we had no idea what they were. We didn't know if you ate the skin or not, so I did. Have since discovered it was a Sharon fruit, very nice. Got two more of those to nibble on too.
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