Help, I’m skinny-fat!
A petite size 10, Mandy Appleyard thought her trim figure was a sign she was healthy. In fact, it was hiding a serious problem
again, relying on a brisk walk now and again to try to keep at bay the indignities of ageing.
But Jo and her husband and business partner, Luke, a personal trainer, are surprisingly encouraging about my ability to turn things around and institute revolutionary changes.
In turn, I trust them. What’s good enough for A-list movie stars — the best of them sign up with Jo and Luke to get them in top shape for their next job — is good enough for me.
And so I surrender to the process. Jo puts me on a bespoke dose of twice-daily supplements made up of fish oil (which is good for the brain and for shrinking fat cells), a zinc supplement because I need it to convert protein efficiently to muscle and another supplement called Compose LT, which helps combat stress and promote better sleep.
‘These supplements will help take away your cravings for sugary foods by helping the body to rebalance. They may help you sleep better too,’ Jo reassures.
The next day brings backto-back fitness and well being sessions. I jump, I run, I walk. I hike, I stretch, I hurdle. I hammer, I box, I lift weights.
I take the dietary supplements. I drink two litres of water. I eat clean, healthy food: salmon teriyaki with salad; leek soup with crackers; frittatas. I give it my all, thinking I may as well throw everything at the problem while I have the support of the Grays to galvanise me.
I’ve never had a personal trainer, but I can see why people do: Luke reads my moods deftly (truculent, resistant, tired, jubilant, relieved — we run the gamut) and keeps me going with a persuasive mix of flattery and kick-assery.
I’ve never been good at anything PE-related, so it was heartening to have Luke tell me I am fitter and stronger than I thought.
In fact, he gave me eight out of ten for hiking, leg strength and my speedy recovery from a quickened pulse rate to a normal resting one.
But my cardio work was poor, my arms are weak and there’s a miracle to achieve when it comes to my running.
Doing more exercise in 43 hours than I would normally do in a month was a challenge, but I rose to it as best I could.
But as committed as I was, I felt sceptical about what could be achieved in such a short space of time. But I was both surprised and delighted by my final results.
In the space of 43 hours, my hips had gone from 381/ in on the tape
8 measure to 37½in; my waist at the navel from 33 in to 31¾ in; my thigh from 22 in to 211/ in.
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callipers told a similar story: from 17mm of fat on my shoulder blades to 15.5 mm; from 25 mm to 23.5 mm on the backs of my upper arms; from 22 mm to 20 mm on my side abdomen; from 23 to 21 mm on my top abdomen; and my rib fat had stayed the same at a laudable 12 mm.
If that’s what can be achieved in an evening, a day and a morning, I’m excited to envisage what might be possible over the next month.
I live in York, about 200 miles from where Luke and Jo operate, so I can’t see them regularly.
however, I can take all that I learned in my brief but transformative time with them and commit to doing things differently.
My shelves are stocked with healthy food, I’m off the wine, I’m taking the supplements that Jo suggested.
And I’m doing 40 minutes a day of the exercises Luke recommended, including weightlifting to tone my arms, press ups, back extensions using a fitness ball and walking sideways — an absolute killer!
It’s a big commitment. Finding the time and maintaining the discipline isn’t easy, but I’m motivated by feeling lighter, brighter and more positive.
Luke promised me that if I stick to the regime, I’ll be fitter, healthier — and casting off my shrugs and showing off my beautifully toned arms this summer in sleeveless dresses and halter tops.
That’s certainly a goal worth fighting for.
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