There is something very magical about snow when it first arrives. It looks so beautiful and so fresh and when there’s a really heavy frost the trees become fairytale-spectacularly beautiful.
For us it was lovely to see our black labs, now aged 9 months, experiencing snow for the first time and it made me realise the fun the children will be having, particularly the ones who are just old enough now to realise that it’s ‘different’ and not just very cold!
The good news for dieters is that the extreme cold causes our body to burn lots more calories so going out for a walk, well wrapped up, of course, will burn extra fat from your body. Getting to our classes will be challenging this week but when we get there we’ll be glad we did and there’s nothing like that weekly weigh-in to motivate us forward towards our goal.
We’re all looking forward to our Christmas party at my own diet and fitness classes. Since I moved venues for my Monday night class I have never had so many members nor seen such spectacular weight losses as I have this year. It has been brilliant. We have our Christmas party at our offices, Quorn House, which looks amazing when it is all dressed up for Christmas – and the trimmings are going up on Friday. My clever and artistic friend Jennie is coming over to weave her magic and turn the office into a gloriously festive country house. On party night (20th Dec) all my members bring food and drink and a small charge is made which we will give to Steps – the charity I work hard to support. We will have a lovely time and it would be lovely if there was some snow on the trees to make it look particularly Christmassy! We just need the roads to be clear!
So, if you have snow this week – and apparently it is going to be bitterly cold – do your best to get to your Rosemary Class to tone up and slim down ready for the festivities. If you do, you’ll be all the slimmer for Christmas for you to enjoy a few treats! Wear sensible shoes and wrap up warmly and enjoy the beauty of the snow!
Monday 29 November 2010
Wednesday 10 November 2010
Strictly weight loss!
We are away for a few days in Portugal which means that I buy a daily newspaper to read on the flight and occasionally to read while away. I don’t normally buy newspapers (other than our local evening one) and rely on the television news to keep me up-to-date with world events. But, ridiculously, I do enjoy reading all the comments and self-written columns on the subject of Strictly Come Dancing!
I enjoyed reading Pamela Stephenson’s column in the Mail on Sunday as she described being squeezed into her dress, with microphone back cleverly secreted in her bra and donning two pairs of tights to keep her legs in good shape. She was brutally honest about the wizardry of the hair and make-up artists that went on to make her look so glamorous and I found her refreshing and entertaining.
For some reason Strictly does seem to generate masses of interest and of course, Ann Widdecombe’s entertaining presence is a gift to the tabloids. Completely resistant to any bad press or judges’ comments (after all, by her own admission, compared with the criticism she endured as a politician anything thrown at her during Strictly is small fry), Ann is enjoying being the centre of attention while Anton bravely soldiers on. He deserves a medal for his strength in throwing and dragging her around as well as his good humoured efforts in creating entertaining choreography. The BBC must be rubbing their hands – and why not? It’s good, clean family entertainment that makes you laugh out loud. Brilliant!
Yesterday the press were reporting that Pamela Stephenson and Felicity Kendall had both dropped two dress sizes and Patsy Kensit had lost two stone since signing up for the show. It reported that apparently celebrities were now seeing Strictly as the best route to take to lose those unwanted pounds that have crept on over the years. And it’s not really surprising, is it? Being physically active for around six hours a day, six days a week is enough to trim down the most stubborn figure but dancing with such precision and with adrenaline pumping nineteen to the dozen, is a sure-fire way to slim down!
However, the newspaper reported that Ann W had not enjoyed the same slimming down effect. Are we surprised? I don’t think so. Ann doesn’t appear to be spending a huge amount of energy within her dance routines. It seems to me that to execute the 90-second routine Anton is burning enough calories for both of them as he carries, spins and drags Ann across the dance floor.
Hopefully all this publicity about weight loss due to increased activity will help the penny to drop to the nation that if we want to lose weight we need to eat less and move more. It isn’t rocket science but it is a very simple and serious message. Being overweight and unfit is really bad for our health yet we have it within our control to do something about it. Let’s get more active today and if you want to lose weight as well, just have a look on www.rosemaryconley.com to find our slimming and dance/aerobic classes. They are fun and they work! Enjoy!
I enjoyed reading Pamela Stephenson’s column in the Mail on Sunday as she described being squeezed into her dress, with microphone back cleverly secreted in her bra and donning two pairs of tights to keep her legs in good shape. She was brutally honest about the wizardry of the hair and make-up artists that went on to make her look so glamorous and I found her refreshing and entertaining.
For some reason Strictly does seem to generate masses of interest and of course, Ann Widdecombe’s entertaining presence is a gift to the tabloids. Completely resistant to any bad press or judges’ comments (after all, by her own admission, compared with the criticism she endured as a politician anything thrown at her during Strictly is small fry), Ann is enjoying being the centre of attention while Anton bravely soldiers on. He deserves a medal for his strength in throwing and dragging her around as well as his good humoured efforts in creating entertaining choreography. The BBC must be rubbing their hands – and why not? It’s good, clean family entertainment that makes you laugh out loud. Brilliant!
Yesterday the press were reporting that Pamela Stephenson and Felicity Kendall had both dropped two dress sizes and Patsy Kensit had lost two stone since signing up for the show. It reported that apparently celebrities were now seeing Strictly as the best route to take to lose those unwanted pounds that have crept on over the years. And it’s not really surprising, is it? Being physically active for around six hours a day, six days a week is enough to trim down the most stubborn figure but dancing with such precision and with adrenaline pumping nineteen to the dozen, is a sure-fire way to slim down!
However, the newspaper reported that Ann W had not enjoyed the same slimming down effect. Are we surprised? I don’t think so. Ann doesn’t appear to be spending a huge amount of energy within her dance routines. It seems to me that to execute the 90-second routine Anton is burning enough calories for both of them as he carries, spins and drags Ann across the dance floor.
Hopefully all this publicity about weight loss due to increased activity will help the penny to drop to the nation that if we want to lose weight we need to eat less and move more. It isn’t rocket science but it is a very simple and serious message. Being overweight and unfit is really bad for our health yet we have it within our control to do something about it. Let’s get more active today and if you want to lose weight as well, just have a look on www.rosemaryconley.com to find our slimming and dance/aerobic classes. They are fun and they work! Enjoy!
Monday 25 October 2010
What a fantastic day!
On Friday 22nd October we held our Annual Franchisee Convention which is the main event of our year when all our franchisees are invited for a day of motivation and information, rewards and Awards. And it’s fun!
It was wonderful to see almost all our franchisees in one place, all looking fabulous and fit, and ready to be inspired. Running a franchise means you are running your own business but under the ‘umbrella’ of the franchisor who creates the marketing, systems, training and in our case, the diet and materials needed for the members to achieve their weight and fitness goals. The system works because our franchisees are exceptionally special and highly talented and motivated as well as caring by nature so that our members really are well looked after and supported. The Convention is our opportunity to share our plans for the next twelve months to enable the franchisees to be as successful as possible whilst, at the same time, giving them the tools to enable them to help our members to achieve their goals.
Our Keynote Speaker was awesome. Adventurer, rock climber and runner Karen Darke fell off a mountain when she was 21 and became paralysed from her chest downwards. But she turned despair into challenge and has returned to her adventures and has completed the London Marathon alongside Tanni Grey-Thompson and has, after massive challenges and trials, managed to climb the 3000 ft El Capitan mountain in Yosemite National Park in California. The room, filled with over 200+ high-energy women was silent as she told her story and inspired and motivated everyone. The hour passed like five minutes. Karen was captivating!
Another highlight of the Convention is the presentation of 5, 10 and 15 Year Awards and I take great delight in presenting a smart glass award to those franchisees and staff who have loyally worked alongside us for five years. For the ten year Awards we are delighted to present a diamond studded Gucci watch, whilst those wonderful folk who have been franchisees or staff for fifteen years receive a diamond necklace. Needless to say, these awards are greatly appreciated and treasured. And this year, I presented our Chef Dean Simpole-Clarke with a rather fabulous watch as a thank you for working alongside me, creating recipes for my cookbooks and magazine and now featuring so much on http://www.rosemaryconley.tv/. He is a very special and talented guy. Thank you Dean!
The day was packed full of inspiring presentations from our staff and some of the franchisees. It was all brilliant.
At the end of the afternoon is the Awards Ceremony where top franchisees are rewarded for their incredible efforts to run brilliant businesses that help their local communities to become fitter and healthier. I presented our franchisee for Norwich, Sarah Skelton, with my own personal award because Sarah has been working with us to enhance and improve how we operate our classes. Sarah is an amazingly talented, bright lady and thoroughly deserved the Rosemary Conley Award.
Our Newcomer of the Year Award went to Sandie Martin (from Bournemouth) for launching her new franchise this year and turning it into a massive success story.
Our Business Development Award was given to Cherie Hunter from Swansea. Two years ago Cherie was thinking of leaving her franchise but after attending our Annual Convention that year she realised that it was her attitude that was wrong, not the business. So, with a change of heart - and attitude – Cherie set herself a goal to reach the Top 10 of all our franchisees in the network. And this year she did just that!
Our Franchisee of the Year Award is greatly coveted and highly respected and we always have ten finalists. To be in the top ten you have to be incredibly good on every level so all the finalists should feel extremely proud. Our winner this year is Lindsey Peters for Ware, Welwyn Garden City and St Albans. Lindsey was an instructor (working for a franchisee) for over 10 years before she bought a franchise herself. Since then she has won Newcomer of the Year in her first year and Franchisee of the Year in year two and she has been a finalist every year since starting as a franchisee. In that five years Lindsey, (supported by her partner Michael who also works in her business), has raised over £180,000 for charity and has also supported and mentored many other franchisees along the way. When I announced Lindsey as the overall winner the room immediately sprang to its feet as everyone applauded her with a standing ovation. Lindsey was totally shocked and just dissolved into tears – as did I – at being given the Award again. It was richly deserved as her class numbers, business performance and so much more are outstanding.
Well done to all our Award winners but also a massive ‘well done’ to all the finalists who had also achieved amazing performances.
The day finished with a glittering Black Tie Dinner and Dance and everyone looked stunning. There is always much dancing, laughter and general celebration and a warm feeling of satisfaction. The franchisees are re-energised. We have delivered our plans and everyone is happy. It’s a nice feeling.
It was wonderful to see almost all our franchisees in one place, all looking fabulous and fit, and ready to be inspired. Running a franchise means you are running your own business but under the ‘umbrella’ of the franchisor who creates the marketing, systems, training and in our case, the diet and materials needed for the members to achieve their weight and fitness goals. The system works because our franchisees are exceptionally special and highly talented and motivated as well as caring by nature so that our members really are well looked after and supported. The Convention is our opportunity to share our plans for the next twelve months to enable the franchisees to be as successful as possible whilst, at the same time, giving them the tools to enable them to help our members to achieve their goals.
Our Keynote Speaker was awesome. Adventurer, rock climber and runner Karen Darke fell off a mountain when she was 21 and became paralysed from her chest downwards. But she turned despair into challenge and has returned to her adventures and has completed the London Marathon alongside Tanni Grey-Thompson and has, after massive challenges and trials, managed to climb the 3000 ft El Capitan mountain in Yosemite National Park in California. The room, filled with over 200+ high-energy women was silent as she told her story and inspired and motivated everyone. The hour passed like five minutes. Karen was captivating!
Another highlight of the Convention is the presentation of 5, 10 and 15 Year Awards and I take great delight in presenting a smart glass award to those franchisees and staff who have loyally worked alongside us for five years. For the ten year Awards we are delighted to present a diamond studded Gucci watch, whilst those wonderful folk who have been franchisees or staff for fifteen years receive a diamond necklace. Needless to say, these awards are greatly appreciated and treasured. And this year, I presented our Chef Dean Simpole-Clarke with a rather fabulous watch as a thank you for working alongside me, creating recipes for my cookbooks and magazine and now featuring so much on http://www.rosemaryconley.tv/. He is a very special and talented guy. Thank you Dean!
The day was packed full of inspiring presentations from our staff and some of the franchisees. It was all brilliant.
At the end of the afternoon is the Awards Ceremony where top franchisees are rewarded for their incredible efforts to run brilliant businesses that help their local communities to become fitter and healthier. I presented our franchisee for Norwich, Sarah Skelton, with my own personal award because Sarah has been working with us to enhance and improve how we operate our classes. Sarah is an amazingly talented, bright lady and thoroughly deserved the Rosemary Conley Award.
Our Newcomer of the Year Award went to Sandie Martin (from Bournemouth) for launching her new franchise this year and turning it into a massive success story.
Our Business Development Award was given to Cherie Hunter from Swansea. Two years ago Cherie was thinking of leaving her franchise but after attending our Annual Convention that year she realised that it was her attitude that was wrong, not the business. So, with a change of heart - and attitude – Cherie set herself a goal to reach the Top 10 of all our franchisees in the network. And this year she did just that!
Our Franchisee of the Year Award is greatly coveted and highly respected and we always have ten finalists. To be in the top ten you have to be incredibly good on every level so all the finalists should feel extremely proud. Our winner this year is Lindsey Peters for Ware, Welwyn Garden City and St Albans. Lindsey was an instructor (working for a franchisee) for over 10 years before she bought a franchise herself. Since then she has won Newcomer of the Year in her first year and Franchisee of the Year in year two and she has been a finalist every year since starting as a franchisee. In that five years Lindsey, (supported by her partner Michael who also works in her business), has raised over £180,000 for charity and has also supported and mentored many other franchisees along the way. When I announced Lindsey as the overall winner the room immediately sprang to its feet as everyone applauded her with a standing ovation. Lindsey was totally shocked and just dissolved into tears – as did I – at being given the Award again. It was richly deserved as her class numbers, business performance and so much more are outstanding.
Well done to all our Award winners but also a massive ‘well done’ to all the finalists who had also achieved amazing performances.
The day finished with a glittering Black Tie Dinner and Dance and everyone looked stunning. There is always much dancing, laughter and general celebration and a warm feeling of satisfaction. The franchisees are re-energised. We have delivered our plans and everyone is happy. It’s a nice feeling.
Wednesday 13 October 2010
Celebrating women everywhere!
On Monday I was privileged to be invited to the Women of the Year lunch at the Intercontinental Hotel in London. The Women of the Year Foundation have given hundreds of thousands of pounds to help support, care for, cherish and respect women across the world. Women who need our help and who are valued. It is a brilliant charity run by exceptional women who bring together, twice a year, a group of women who work hard to make a difference on this planet.
The women who are given awards at the event are exceptional. They are women who go beyond the boundaries, some are completely selfless, some are phenomenally talented and some are just extraordinary.
The Window to the World Award went to Susie Hart. Sue changed the lives of many disabled people in Tanzania by creating businesses to employ special, but rejected, people and to give them a sense of purpose, worth and respect. Tears trickled down my cheeks as I heard what this very special lady had achieved. Well done Susie!
The Outstanding Achievement Award went to Zaha Hadid, an exceptionally talented architect. Zaha has designed the stunning Aquatics Centre for the London Olympics among many, many other stunning creations across the world. There is no doubt Zaha has an amazing gift and vision.
The Yes You Can Award went to a wonderful woman who has created a youth dance and cheerleading group called Ascension Eagles. Shara Brice has put the purpose and motivation, inspiration and energy into young people in Newham in London and has changed their lives unbelievably. Instead of muggings and violence caused by young folk with nothing better to do, Shara created a challenge which the young folk of the area embraced and perfected to become a world class act. I cried when this award was given too. Shara is an exceptional woman and the award was so well deserved.
The Women of the Year Award was given to Annie Lennox for her amazing work in campaigning for HIV Aids victims in Africa to be given medication to help their condition, as well as her exceptional talent as the most successful female singer in the UK, having sold 8o million records. She made a moving and inspirational speech and the work she does in Africa is awesome.
There were almost 400 women who attended the lunch and I was on a table hosted by Baroness Floella Benjamen. What an extraordinary woman Floella is! She is feisty, inspirational and incredibly beautiful. And she made us all feel like we were the only women in the room that mattered. Thank you and ‘Well done Floella’!
Monday honoured women who had made a massive difference to this world in vastly different ways. It wasn’t about fame or fortune. It was about women who have actually made this world a better place and who make we women proud to be women. Yes. Monday was a very special day. Not for ourselves, but for the exceptional women with whom we shared this very special occasion.
The event was spectacularly well organised so well done to all the exceptional women who are the Women of the Year Foundation! Monday was very special.
The women who are given awards at the event are exceptional. They are women who go beyond the boundaries, some are completely selfless, some are phenomenally talented and some are just extraordinary.
The Window to the World Award went to Susie Hart. Sue changed the lives of many disabled people in Tanzania by creating businesses to employ special, but rejected, people and to give them a sense of purpose, worth and respect. Tears trickled down my cheeks as I heard what this very special lady had achieved. Well done Susie!
The Outstanding Achievement Award went to Zaha Hadid, an exceptionally talented architect. Zaha has designed the stunning Aquatics Centre for the London Olympics among many, many other stunning creations across the world. There is no doubt Zaha has an amazing gift and vision.
The Yes You Can Award went to a wonderful woman who has created a youth dance and cheerleading group called Ascension Eagles. Shara Brice has put the purpose and motivation, inspiration and energy into young people in Newham in London and has changed their lives unbelievably. Instead of muggings and violence caused by young folk with nothing better to do, Shara created a challenge which the young folk of the area embraced and perfected to become a world class act. I cried when this award was given too. Shara is an exceptional woman and the award was so well deserved.
The Women of the Year Award was given to Annie Lennox for her amazing work in campaigning for HIV Aids victims in Africa to be given medication to help their condition, as well as her exceptional talent as the most successful female singer in the UK, having sold 8o million records. She made a moving and inspirational speech and the work she does in Africa is awesome.
There were almost 400 women who attended the lunch and I was on a table hosted by Baroness Floella Benjamen. What an extraordinary woman Floella is! She is feisty, inspirational and incredibly beautiful. And she made us all feel like we were the only women in the room that mattered. Thank you and ‘Well done Floella’!
Monday honoured women who had made a massive difference to this world in vastly different ways. It wasn’t about fame or fortune. It was about women who have actually made this world a better place and who make we women proud to be women. Yes. Monday was a very special day. Not for ourselves, but for the exceptional women with whom we shared this very special occasion.
The event was spectacularly well organised so well done to all the exceptional women who are the Women of the Year Foundation! Monday was very special.
Thursday 7 October 2010
Judging our Slimmers of the Year!
On Monday we had our judging session for our Slimmer of the Year Contest. There was a massive file full of applicants who had lost over 8 stone. That’s what I weigh! I cannot imagine what life must be like carrying that sort of weight everywhere you go.
We were spoilt for choice and will shortly be inviting our Regional Slimmers to attend a ceremony at Quorn House for for us to make our final selection. It should be a very special day.
On Tuesday we had our Low Fat Food Awards and representatives from many of the companies came along to Quorn to receive their awards. It was exciting and rewarding as all of the awards were voted for exclusively by our readers and members. Well done to all those who received awards. Look out for the results which will be published in our next issue of Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Magazine out on 11th November.
Last Friday we had a Roadshow in Maidenhead and we had a great day. The weight losses of some of those present were awesome and two were entrants for our Slimmer of the Year awards. It was exciting to say the least.
Today we had a photoshoot for the cover of our Christmas edition of our magazine. Our cover girl is such a beautiful girl who looks like a fairy princess in her Christmas party dress. We also photographed other successful slimmers who also looked stunning! I love these days.
The pups are growing fast and are giving Mike and I so much joy as they are just lovely and Waise adores them so everyone’s happy.
If you want to lose weight, check out all that we have to offer. If you saw as many successful slimmers as I did, you would join our classes and transform your life! That’s what they did!
We were spoilt for choice and will shortly be inviting our Regional Slimmers to attend a ceremony at Quorn House for for us to make our final selection. It should be a very special day.
On Tuesday we had our Low Fat Food Awards and representatives from many of the companies came along to Quorn to receive their awards. It was exciting and rewarding as all of the awards were voted for exclusively by our readers and members. Well done to all those who received awards. Look out for the results which will be published in our next issue of Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Magazine out on 11th November.
Last Friday we had a Roadshow in Maidenhead and we had a great day. The weight losses of some of those present were awesome and two were entrants for our Slimmer of the Year awards. It was exciting to say the least.
Today we had a photoshoot for the cover of our Christmas edition of our magazine. Our cover girl is such a beautiful girl who looks like a fairy princess in her Christmas party dress. We also photographed other successful slimmers who also looked stunning! I love these days.
The pups are growing fast and are giving Mike and I so much joy as they are just lovely and Waise adores them so everyone’s happy.
If you want to lose weight, check out all that we have to offer. If you saw as many successful slimmers as I did, you would join our classes and transform your life! That’s what they did!
Monday 20 September 2010
Will exercise alone make you slim?
Yesterday the Observer carried a feature headed ‘Why exercise won’t make you thin’. It concludes that exercise alone will not make you lose weight unless you diet as well. Well! There’s a revelation!
When I read articles like that I get pretty frustrated. Research study after research study is commissioned to prove or disprove facts that are plain, straight-forward common sense.
Being overweight is dangerous to our health. Being unfit is dangerous to our health. Being overweight AND unfit it VERY dangerous to our health! Fact!
To lose weight we need to eat fewer calories each day than our body spends in living and going about our daily lives. If we eat more than we spend in energy, we gain weight. It is not rocket science. Every time we walk a mile we spend around 100 calories. If we drink half a bottle of wine or eat a Mars bar, we need to walk three miles extra to burn it off if we don’t want to gain weight. But if we eat a bit less cereal at breakfast, eat one less sandwich at lunchtime and cut our evening-meal portion by 20%, and try to be as active every day as we can, we can get away without having to walk the extra three miles. It is about choices and a desire to be slim.
Being physically active burns extra calories, helps our heart and lungs to become fitter, reduces our cholesterol and blood pressure and helps our joints. If we could take a pill that gave us the benefits that exercise gives us, we would all be taking it. We really do not need anyone to give us any discouragement to exercise and that’s why articles such as the one in the Observer, make me mad. We need encouragement to exercise and we need to build it into our everyday lifestyle so that we don’t see it as a chore but part of living. Eating healthily, and a few hundred fewer calories each day while we are trying to lose weight, will transform our health, our figure and our confidence. But we do need to do both diet AND exercise to see fast, effective and transforming results that will encourage us. That’s why 17 years ago we launched Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs to teach exercise within a slimming clubs to encourage faster weight loss. And it works. It really, really works!
And when I read today the story of our Mr and Mrs Slimmer of the Year, Maria and Toby Webber, running in yesterday’s Great North Run having lost 18 ½ stone between them, I feel very proud. They epitomise what ‘diet’ AND ‘fitness’ can do for you. Brilliant!
Wednesday 1 September 2010
What a fantastic night!
The sun shone, the countryside looked magnificent and the crowds arrived. The villagers marshalled, the farmer mowed the car park, the bands played, the Pimms flowed and the guests opened their purses and wallets for three great charities.
Music in the Meadow is a fun night out for all the family held in the grounds of our house which nestles in a valley in the east of Leicestershire. Surrounded by mature trees our quiet little village that houses only 80 inhabitants suddenly was rocking to the sound of music - and lots of it!
Last Saturday night we raised £27,500 for charity from a relatively small pop concert. Around 600 folk enjoyed their picnics, drank a few bevies and danced the night away to great music in aid of a charity called Steps that helps children with celebral palsy and Down syndrome (http://www.stepscentre.org/); a 25 year-old young man who had his neck broken whilst training for the under 21’s England Rugby team five years ago, (www.matthampson.co.uk); and the village hall and church of Ashby Folville where the event was hosted.
A ‘Mega Raffle’ is the main fund raiser with no less that 10 holidays or breaks to be won from South Africa to Turkey, Center Parcs to the Marriott County Hall Hotel in London, from Ragdale Hall to Stapleford Park both in Leicestershire. Then there’s the Tombola to beat all tombolas. Hundreds of super prizes up for grabs with a great chance of winning as we up the stakes from one in ten to one in six chances of winning. No one goes away disappointed.
But this year we’d been given a diamond necklace by Goldsmiths, a CAT watch by Lumbers and a crystal flying dolphin by Swarovski, so we ran an extra raffle for the night which raised an extra £500.
The key to our event raising so much cash is simply that there are no expenses deducted. The bands (four of them: three local and one from the USA - Don Watson and his band who flew in specially from Vail, Colorado for the event), all play for free. The marquees are provided by Owen Brown. The toilets and the generator that enable the event to happen are paid for by Raynsway Properties. The electrics, staging, lighting and technical back-up is given by Hawthorn. Then there’s the insurance, printing, website, design, publicity and much more – all given for free.
Even the Pimms and the wine that’s sold during the event is paid for by a sponsor. There are no expenses.
The end result - a fantastic night of fun and everybody wins. Long may Music in the Meadow continue and long may we dance and laugh, spend and smile and enjoy every moment of a very special event. Thank you all for coming, helping, supporting and giving. It was fun!
To view the pictures taken during the event (thank you Lionel Heap) and for the winners of our raffle prizes, log on to http://www.musicinthemeadow.co.uk/.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME, EVERYONE WHO GAVE AND EVERYONE WHO MADE IT FUN!
Music in the Meadow is a fun night out for all the family held in the grounds of our house which nestles in a valley in the east of Leicestershire. Surrounded by mature trees our quiet little village that houses only 80 inhabitants suddenly was rocking to the sound of music - and lots of it!
Last Saturday night we raised £27,500 for charity from a relatively small pop concert. Around 600 folk enjoyed their picnics, drank a few bevies and danced the night away to great music in aid of a charity called Steps that helps children with celebral palsy and Down syndrome (http://www.stepscentre.org/); a 25 year-old young man who had his neck broken whilst training for the under 21’s England Rugby team five years ago, (www.matthampson.co.uk); and the village hall and church of Ashby Folville where the event was hosted.
A ‘Mega Raffle’ is the main fund raiser with no less that 10 holidays or breaks to be won from South Africa to Turkey, Center Parcs to the Marriott County Hall Hotel in London, from Ragdale Hall to Stapleford Park both in Leicestershire. Then there’s the Tombola to beat all tombolas. Hundreds of super prizes up for grabs with a great chance of winning as we up the stakes from one in ten to one in six chances of winning. No one goes away disappointed.
But this year we’d been given a diamond necklace by Goldsmiths, a CAT watch by Lumbers and a crystal flying dolphin by Swarovski, so we ran an extra raffle for the night which raised an extra £500.
The key to our event raising so much cash is simply that there are no expenses deducted. The bands (four of them: three local and one from the USA - Don Watson and his band who flew in specially from Vail, Colorado for the event), all play for free. The marquees are provided by Owen Brown. The toilets and the generator that enable the event to happen are paid for by Raynsway Properties. The electrics, staging, lighting and technical back-up is given by Hawthorn. Then there’s the insurance, printing, website, design, publicity and much more – all given for free.
Even the Pimms and the wine that’s sold during the event is paid for by a sponsor. There are no expenses.
The end result - a fantastic night of fun and everybody wins. Long may Music in the Meadow continue and long may we dance and laugh, spend and smile and enjoy every moment of a very special event. Thank you all for coming, helping, supporting and giving. It was fun!
To view the pictures taken during the event (thank you Lionel Heap) and for the winners of our raffle prizes, log on to http://www.musicinthemeadow.co.uk/.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME, EVERYONE WHO GAVE AND EVERYONE WHO MADE IT FUN!
Monday 23 August 2010
An Interesting Tuesday!
Last Tuesday was one of those days when lots of things happened that were very different but still were interesting and exciting.
Abbi Morrell-Faulkner is an 18-year old girl who was bullied at school and who has turned her terrible experience into an extraordinary strength. Abbi is now a campaigner against bullying and has won numerous awards, has been introduced to David Cameron and David Beckham and has recently been chosen by Channel 4 as one of eleven young people to be part of their Battlefront project. Her charity is called ‘abs-kids’ which stands for Anti Bullying Shared and her website is http://www.abs-kids.co.uk/.
I first met Abbi when she was a keynote speaker, aged 16, at a Young Enterprise County Final event where she spoke about her experiences of being bullied. In front of 600 school children, Abbi’s speech was delivered with the panache and confidence of any keynote speaker I have had the privilege to listen to. I was instantly impressed and wanted to support her in taking her campaign further.
On Tuesday last week I saw a young woman who was now hitting the road running. C4’s Battlefront project was giving her the opportunities she’d been waiting for. Abbi needs to be heard and to make a real difference, and now she is. I am so proud of what Abbi has achieved and I think Abbi and her charity will go a long, long way. Watch this space! Click here to watch an interview with Abbi on http://www.rosemaryconley.tv/
After seeing Abbi, it was time to launch Leicestershire’s Walking Week which starts on 4th Sept and runs until the 12th. With 75 walks to chose from around the glorious countryside of Leicestershire, this is a good initiative and one that I wholeheartedly endorse.
We met at the delightful country park called Watermead, along with the Lord Mayor of Leicester, the Mayors of the various districts, as well as the Leader of the County Council and other dignitaries. As Champion of the Physical Activities Champion Group I was asked to offer a few words alongside the Lord Mayor and the Leader of the Council. As I arrived the weather turned to a heat wave and, as I had Waise my dog in the car, I had no alternative than to invite her into the proceedings.
All was well until we started walking. With photographs taken, speeches made and everyone - around 100 folk – was ready to walk the one mile route around the lake, the blackest of clouds suddenly came upon us. Umbrellas were commissioned ‘just in case’ and the walkers set off with the Lord Mayor, with me and Waise taking the lead.
About a quarter of the way round the heavens opened and rain and hail stones poured down so ferociously that Waise (pronounced ‘visor’) looked up at me as if to say ‘I don’t do rain and I most definitely don’t do hail!’. And it’s true. At home, if it’s raining I have to put a coat on her and go outside with her with an umbrella to shelter her and wait for her to have a pee! Anyway, Waise was not going to move and the whole walking crowd had to shelter under branches of nearby trees awaiting the rain to ease. I even took off my coat to give to Waise in the hope that that might help but no, the situation was not negotiable!
After about 10 minutes the rain subsided. I looked as though I had just stepped out of the shower, Waise was still looking miserable, but the Lord Mayor was looking very unruffled given the circumstances (and much slimmer by the way as he is losing weight on my diet during his year in office). Some 20 minutes later, we all arrived back at the car park looking somewhat bedraggled but satisfied that we had burned off our 100 calories and walked a very picturesque mile.
As I approached, one of the organisers informed me that Central ITV News were there and could they have an interview? Soaked to the skin, hair looking stunning (I don’t think so!), I then put on my professional metaphorical hat, swallowed my pride and proceeded to enthuse about this truly brilliant initiative. (I did say to Darren the reporter that if he cut my introduction during which I explained my drenched appearance I would have to kill him, he obviously took the threat seriously as it stayed in!). We had a real laugh in the office later when Waise appeared looking somewhat forlorn wearing my jacket!
It is actually great fun when things go pear-shaped and you have to just get on with it. Sometimes I think we take life too seriously and we lose the fun out of situations. It really was a hilarious situation and thankfully everyone was very tolerant and forgiving of my extremely sensitive, temperamental dog who is actually a real treasure!
If you are anywhere near Leicestershire checkout the website www.leics.gov.uk/walkingweek.
Abbi Morrell-Faulkner is an 18-year old girl who was bullied at school and who has turned her terrible experience into an extraordinary strength. Abbi is now a campaigner against bullying and has won numerous awards, has been introduced to David Cameron and David Beckham and has recently been chosen by Channel 4 as one of eleven young people to be part of their Battlefront project. Her charity is called ‘abs-kids’ which stands for Anti Bullying Shared and her website is http://www.abs-kids.co.uk/.
I first met Abbi when she was a keynote speaker, aged 16, at a Young Enterprise County Final event where she spoke about her experiences of being bullied. In front of 600 school children, Abbi’s speech was delivered with the panache and confidence of any keynote speaker I have had the privilege to listen to. I was instantly impressed and wanted to support her in taking her campaign further.
On Tuesday last week I saw a young woman who was now hitting the road running. C4’s Battlefront project was giving her the opportunities she’d been waiting for. Abbi needs to be heard and to make a real difference, and now she is. I am so proud of what Abbi has achieved and I think Abbi and her charity will go a long, long way. Watch this space! Click here to watch an interview with Abbi on http://www.rosemaryconley.tv/
After seeing Abbi, it was time to launch Leicestershire’s Walking Week which starts on 4th Sept and runs until the 12th. With 75 walks to chose from around the glorious countryside of Leicestershire, this is a good initiative and one that I wholeheartedly endorse.
We met at the delightful country park called Watermead, along with the Lord Mayor of Leicester, the Mayors of the various districts, as well as the Leader of the County Council and other dignitaries. As Champion of the Physical Activities Champion Group I was asked to offer a few words alongside the Lord Mayor and the Leader of the Council. As I arrived the weather turned to a heat wave and, as I had Waise my dog in the car, I had no alternative than to invite her into the proceedings.
All was well until we started walking. With photographs taken, speeches made and everyone - around 100 folk – was ready to walk the one mile route around the lake, the blackest of clouds suddenly came upon us. Umbrellas were commissioned ‘just in case’ and the walkers set off with the Lord Mayor, with me and Waise taking the lead.
About a quarter of the way round the heavens opened and rain and hail stones poured down so ferociously that Waise (pronounced ‘visor’) looked up at me as if to say ‘I don’t do rain and I most definitely don’t do hail!’. And it’s true. At home, if it’s raining I have to put a coat on her and go outside with her with an umbrella to shelter her and wait for her to have a pee! Anyway, Waise was not going to move and the whole walking crowd had to shelter under branches of nearby trees awaiting the rain to ease. I even took off my coat to give to Waise in the hope that that might help but no, the situation was not negotiable!
After about 10 minutes the rain subsided. I looked as though I had just stepped out of the shower, Waise was still looking miserable, but the Lord Mayor was looking very unruffled given the circumstances (and much slimmer by the way as he is losing weight on my diet during his year in office). Some 20 minutes later, we all arrived back at the car park looking somewhat bedraggled but satisfied that we had burned off our 100 calories and walked a very picturesque mile.
As I approached, one of the organisers informed me that Central ITV News were there and could they have an interview? Soaked to the skin, hair looking stunning (I don’t think so!), I then put on my professional metaphorical hat, swallowed my pride and proceeded to enthuse about this truly brilliant initiative. (I did say to Darren the reporter that if he cut my introduction during which I explained my drenched appearance I would have to kill him, he obviously took the threat seriously as it stayed in!). We had a real laugh in the office later when Waise appeared looking somewhat forlorn wearing my jacket!
It is actually great fun when things go pear-shaped and you have to just get on with it. Sometimes I think we take life too seriously and we lose the fun out of situations. It really was a hilarious situation and thankfully everyone was very tolerant and forgiving of my extremely sensitive, temperamental dog who is actually a real treasure!
If you are anywhere near Leicestershire checkout the website www.leics.gov.uk/walkingweek.
Monday 9 August 2010
Music in the Meadow - we're getting there!
For the past three years Mike and I have hosted a live pop concert in the grounds of our home to raise funds for Steps Conductive Education Centre, Matt Hampson - the under-21s England Rugby player who broke his neck in training in 2005, and the church and village hall where we live in Ashby Folville in Leicestershire. This year the event is being held on Bank Holiday Saturday, 28th August. Every pound taken for the event goes to the charities and the proceeds are distributed 70% to Steps, 20% to Matt and 10% is divided between the village hall and the church. In the last three years we have raised over £70,000 from this event which offers a fun night out listening to live bands in glorious surroundings plus a mega raffle which boasts 10 holidays/breaks to be won!
We are very fortunate to live in such an idyllic village which is surrounded by magnificent mature trees, has a cricket field, a beautiful pub – the Carington Arms, a church, and that’s it! On Music in the Meadow night the villagers help to steward the event and everyone has a fantastic time. Folk come from far and wide and bring along their gazebos, picnics and chairs or they sit on bales of straw. The stage looks magnificent against the backdrop of such a lovely piece of Leicestershire which nestles in a valley just below Melton Mowbray.
The event attracts about 500 – 1000 music-lovers who thoroughly enjoy themselves as well as buy raffle tickets galore as the prizes are so amazing plus we have a tombola which boasts a phenomenal number of outstanding gifts that have been donated from local firms. The tombola will include hundreds of prizes including vouchers for meals out, days out, hampers, cosmetics, gifts, pictures, flowers – you name it, it’s on there! On Saturday I was even given a diamond pendant by Goldsmiths in Leicester for the event which we are going to raffle separately on the night along with a stunning watch which has been donated by another jeweller, Lumbers, and Fenwicks have given us six Royal Doulton wine glasses ..and there’s so much more.
We serve Pimms and we will be dancing the night away until gone midnight. Personally we will have a house full of guests which I adore. There will be camp-beds for the children snuggled into various corners and every one of our bedrooms will be fully occupied and our bathrooms will be working flat out.
On the Friday I will be cooking bacon sandwiches for Mike and the workers who are setting up the marquees, staging, lighting, toilets and so on. Incredibly, all of these facilities are given to us free of charge which is how we can give every penny we receive to the charities. Companies like Raynsway and Owen Brown are phenomenally generous.
Then of course there are the bands who give their time and energy for free. The lead act, the Don Watson Band, fly in specially for the event from Colorado, USA. They are an extraordinarily gifted band who play requests from the audience throughout and I have yet to find a song that they don’t know or cannot play. They are outstandingly talented. The support acts are local bands Rock Bottom and Hopwood Junction plus we have a brilliant guitarist/singer David Wyatt who opens proceedings at 6 pm.
Check out the website www.musicinthemeadow.co.uk to see some of the pictures from last year and details of this year’s event. It really is a fantastic night out so if you don’t know what to do with yourself on bank holiday Saturday, why not pop along?
For tickets for the event or raffle tickets, please call Gaynor Cawood on 01509 622022.
We are very fortunate to live in such an idyllic village which is surrounded by magnificent mature trees, has a cricket field, a beautiful pub – the Carington Arms, a church, and that’s it! On Music in the Meadow night the villagers help to steward the event and everyone has a fantastic time. Folk come from far and wide and bring along their gazebos, picnics and chairs or they sit on bales of straw. The stage looks magnificent against the backdrop of such a lovely piece of Leicestershire which nestles in a valley just below Melton Mowbray.
The event attracts about 500 – 1000 music-lovers who thoroughly enjoy themselves as well as buy raffle tickets galore as the prizes are so amazing plus we have a tombola which boasts a phenomenal number of outstanding gifts that have been donated from local firms. The tombola will include hundreds of prizes including vouchers for meals out, days out, hampers, cosmetics, gifts, pictures, flowers – you name it, it’s on there! On Saturday I was even given a diamond pendant by Goldsmiths in Leicester for the event which we are going to raffle separately on the night along with a stunning watch which has been donated by another jeweller, Lumbers, and Fenwicks have given us six Royal Doulton wine glasses ..and there’s so much more.
We serve Pimms and we will be dancing the night away until gone midnight. Personally we will have a house full of guests which I adore. There will be camp-beds for the children snuggled into various corners and every one of our bedrooms will be fully occupied and our bathrooms will be working flat out.
On the Friday I will be cooking bacon sandwiches for Mike and the workers who are setting up the marquees, staging, lighting, toilets and so on. Incredibly, all of these facilities are given to us free of charge which is how we can give every penny we receive to the charities. Companies like Raynsway and Owen Brown are phenomenally generous.
Then of course there are the bands who give their time and energy for free. The lead act, the Don Watson Band, fly in specially for the event from Colorado, USA. They are an extraordinarily gifted band who play requests from the audience throughout and I have yet to find a song that they don’t know or cannot play. They are outstandingly talented. The support acts are local bands Rock Bottom and Hopwood Junction plus we have a brilliant guitarist/singer David Wyatt who opens proceedings at 6 pm.
Check out the website www.musicinthemeadow.co.uk to see some of the pictures from last year and details of this year’s event. It really is a fantastic night out so if you don’t know what to do with yourself on bank holiday Saturday, why not pop along?
For tickets for the event or raffle tickets, please call Gaynor Cawood on 01509 622022.
Wednesday 28 July 2010
When everybody cares...
When one of our staff was recently diagnosed with cancer everyone felt devastated. We are a close-knit family at our offices at Quorn House and we take a lot of time and trouble to organise staff events so that everyone gets to know everyone else within our complicated business. I say ‘complicated’ because we are an amalgam of different companies who work in synergy with each other, delivering the best service we can to help serve the consumer and support our franchisees.
So when one of our ‘family’ is threatened with a potentially life-threatening illness, we all feel it.
Illness is a strange thing and many times in our lives we find ourselves shying away from folk who are suffering because we feel either embarrassed or guilty that we are well and they are not, but we were determined not to do this for this very special member of staff. So, we, as a team, decided that we wanted to give him every support and care and prayer that we could.
A group photograph was orchestrated with the words ‘we miss you Mark XXX’ emblazoned across it. The photograph was made into a card and everyone signed it with a personal ‘get well’ message. Next, we all decided that we would donate DVDs that would be humorous and entertaining so that Mark could watch them when, after his radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments, he felt like doing little else.
Texts, emails, home visits have also become common place and Mark has responded with amazing graciousness and courage.
If you are reading this and you have a faith, please pray for Mark. He is a great guy. If you want to send him a get well message you can email him on markp@rosemaryconley.com. Let’s join together and help make Mark well again.
Thank you!
So when one of our ‘family’ is threatened with a potentially life-threatening illness, we all feel it.
Illness is a strange thing and many times in our lives we find ourselves shying away from folk who are suffering because we feel either embarrassed or guilty that we are well and they are not, but we were determined not to do this for this very special member of staff. So, we, as a team, decided that we wanted to give him every support and care and prayer that we could.
A group photograph was orchestrated with the words ‘we miss you Mark XXX’ emblazoned across it. The photograph was made into a card and everyone signed it with a personal ‘get well’ message. Next, we all decided that we would donate DVDs that would be humorous and entertaining so that Mark could watch them when, after his radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments, he felt like doing little else.
Texts, emails, home visits have also become common place and Mark has responded with amazing graciousness and courage.
If you are reading this and you have a faith, please pray for Mark. He is a great guy. If you want to send him a get well message you can email him on markp@rosemaryconley.com. Let’s join together and help make Mark well again.
Thank you!
Wednesday 21 July 2010
So, you'd like to present a fitness DVD?....
When the producer of BBC Radio Leicester’s lunchtime programme rang my office last week to ask if I would help with a ‘weekly challenge’ for the presenter Bill Buckley, of course I said ‘yes’. The challenge is ‘can Bill learn a fitness routine to sufficient a standard to present it as a fitness routine for fellow listeners to follow on the BBC website? If not, he fails!’. Bill is one really busy guy. Just check out his website and you may recognise him from That’s life, many moons ago.
So, on Monday I went into the studio to offer the challenge ‘live’ and on Monday evening Bill visited the class I personally teach in Birstall, Leicestershire and worked out with my members. Bill can move reasonably well and most of the time can hear the beat of the music but occasionally he misses the beat and the rhythm so this really is going to be a challenge. My members were very encouraging and there is no doubt that Bill is a good sport and very determined. After all, Bill has already won 'Come Dine With Me', not once but twice!
It was arranged that Bill would be recorded at our studios on Wednesday but on Tuesday we had an emergency phone call. Bill is suffering symptoms of flu so Wednesday’s recording has been postponed until next week.
I’m not sorry about this. For any of my videos we rehearsed for around a month, admittedly to record around 16 tracks and Bill only has to do one, but nevertheless, to expect Bill to learn and professionally present an exercise track so that viewers could actually follow it and exercise safely in just two days, as well as work full time, is a tall order.
So, Bill has a week to learn his routine, to learn about cueing so that you can tell the viewer what’s coming next when you’re doing something else, and to keep in time with the music. Let’s hope he soon feels better and can start rehearsing. I really want him to succeed as he has tremendous determination and a great spirit. Get well soon Bill!
The track Bill is learning is track 3 from my Real Results DVD. Check out whether Bill succeeds from Friday 30th July on www.bbc.co.uk/leicester.
So, on Monday I went into the studio to offer the challenge ‘live’ and on Monday evening Bill visited the class I personally teach in Birstall, Leicestershire and worked out with my members. Bill can move reasonably well and most of the time can hear the beat of the music but occasionally he misses the beat and the rhythm so this really is going to be a challenge. My members were very encouraging and there is no doubt that Bill is a good sport and very determined. After all, Bill has already won 'Come Dine With Me', not once but twice!
It was arranged that Bill would be recorded at our studios on Wednesday but on Tuesday we had an emergency phone call. Bill is suffering symptoms of flu so Wednesday’s recording has been postponed until next week.
I’m not sorry about this. For any of my videos we rehearsed for around a month, admittedly to record around 16 tracks and Bill only has to do one, but nevertheless, to expect Bill to learn and professionally present an exercise track so that viewers could actually follow it and exercise safely in just two days, as well as work full time, is a tall order.
So, Bill has a week to learn his routine, to learn about cueing so that you can tell the viewer what’s coming next when you’re doing something else, and to keep in time with the music. Let’s hope he soon feels better and can start rehearsing. I really want him to succeed as he has tremendous determination and a great spirit. Get well soon Bill!
The track Bill is learning is track 3 from my Real Results DVD. Check out whether Bill succeeds from Friday 30th July on www.bbc.co.uk/leicester.
Wednesday 14 July 2010
Getting a dog is the answer to the nation's obesity problem!
Last Sunday our pet-family number doubled. Waise our whippet/greyhound/lurcher dog, and Tom the black cat were invaded by two extremely energetic, totally adorable black Labrador puppies – BB and Sky.It’s some 14 years since Mike and I took on a new pup. The last one was a German Shepherd called Max who was unique. Incredibly hard work at the beginning, an extraordinary character in the end and a dog we loved to bits. She spent her life following our old gardener Ken wherever he was working, happily sitting close by him and supervising! As Max grew old, Ken was reaching his 80s, and they loved their days together in our lovely garden. When Max died a year or so ago, she left a real void and we have spent many a happy time remembering her quirky character with enormous fondness.
But now we have BB (pictured, above, right) and Sky (pictured, above, left). I do the early and late shift and Mike does the day. It’s hard work. In the morning, at 6.15, I let them out and we go for a walk around the garden. They are so exuberant that it is almost impossible to walk as they weave in and out of my feet. Toilet duties accomplished it’s time for breakfast. Two bowls, identical, but each wanting to eat the other’s as they dash from one to the other in case there’s something extra in that one! BB is bigger and fatter than Sky. I can see why. She is at the front of the queue for food, pushing Sky out of the way as she gobbles down her puppy food. It’s just like humans really – scared that maybe after this meal there will be a world famine and this really is their last meal on earth!As I write this they are asleep, fast asleep, in our kitchen. At last they have exhausted themselves. I’m going to bed too. After my hour of exercise with them this morning and another good walk again tonight, I feel I’ve had the equivalent of an hour and half in the gym – but it’s been much more fun! If I carry on at this rate I’ll be able to drink that extra glass of wine and not gain an ounce. I love you, puppies!
What has surprised us more than anything though, is how Waise has accepted the pups. Waise is a spoilt-to-death dog who has had our undivided attention since Max passed away. She has totally embraced the pups, lying down with them – almost baby-sitting – when they collapse into sleep after a highly energetic play period. She allows them to crawl over her, nibble her ear, and generally ‘play’ with her. It is totally enchanting. There is no jealousy, just pleasure at taking on the role of auntie! Long may it continue!
And Tom the cat? He’s really cool about the pups. As he sits in his usual spot on the settee the pups come and say ‘hello’. Tom taps them gentle on the nose as if to say, ‘If you’re nice to me, I’ll be nice to you and these claws will stay inside my paws’, and the pups carry on with their game.
Monday 12 July 2010
The magic of Austria
I’m writing this on the flight back from our Activity Week in Austria. This is the 25th year we have organised this special holiday when members of the public are invited to join us for a week of fun, fitness and fabulous scenery.
As we met at the airport a week ago it was exciting to meet up with lots of new faces and one or two familiar ones. Of our 30 strong guest list, only nine had been before. We love it when new people sign up because we know that it is for them a week full of surprises, new experiences and exciting emotions. We have never had a disappointing week yet in our two and half decades of this trip to the family-run ‘der Berghof’ hotel in Lech in Austria.
From the trout fishing walk, (when we catch our own lunch), to the Tyrolean evening with very fit young Austrians slapping their thighs and leaping in the air, the swimming in the open air pool among the mountains, hiking through meadows that look like a scene from the Sound of Music, doing aerobics in the school gym with myself and my colleague Mary, the week is action packed from beginning to end.
The highlight of the week is our Concert Night when Mary, a brilliant performer in her own right, carefully nurtures and encourages those among our guests who can sing or recite, inspire or delight, through a variety of performances that are unique. The reputation of this annual spectacle has now encouraged other un-connected hotel guests to book the same week so that they can enjoy the cabaret! There is always a finale which involves a very willing audience into participation leaving everyone on a high.
Each day started with an optional early morning walk followed by a weigh-in. Our lone male guest, Ryan, was Slimmer of the Week having lost over 8 lbs, whilst our female Slimmer of the Week, Barbara, lost 5 lbs. Almost everyone lost weight which wasn’t surprising as the average daily number of steps clocked up on their pedometers was around 28,000!
So, we go home today feeling fitter, healthier, happy and content that everyone has had the time of their life.
And why do we do it? We, the team who lead it, are exhausted but satisfied. Very satisfied. This is a holiday that brings together people who have experienced more than their fair share of life’s ups and downs, trials and tribulations, but who, together, grow and embrace the beauty of one of the world’s most exquisite countries, who push back the boundaries and grasp new challenges and make new friends. While we continue to witness such wonderful experiences we will keep going. It really is worth all the effort. Who says losing weight and getting fit can’t be fun!
As we met at the airport a week ago it was exciting to meet up with lots of new faces and one or two familiar ones. Of our 30 strong guest list, only nine had been before. We love it when new people sign up because we know that it is for them a week full of surprises, new experiences and exciting emotions. We have never had a disappointing week yet in our two and half decades of this trip to the family-run ‘der Berghof’ hotel in Lech in Austria.
From the trout fishing walk, (when we catch our own lunch), to the Tyrolean evening with very fit young Austrians slapping their thighs and leaping in the air, the swimming in the open air pool among the mountains, hiking through meadows that look like a scene from the Sound of Music, doing aerobics in the school gym with myself and my colleague Mary, the week is action packed from beginning to end.
The highlight of the week is our Concert Night when Mary, a brilliant performer in her own right, carefully nurtures and encourages those among our guests who can sing or recite, inspire or delight, through a variety of performances that are unique. The reputation of this annual spectacle has now encouraged other un-connected hotel guests to book the same week so that they can enjoy the cabaret! There is always a finale which involves a very willing audience into participation leaving everyone on a high.
Each day started with an optional early morning walk followed by a weigh-in. Our lone male guest, Ryan, was Slimmer of the Week having lost over 8 lbs, whilst our female Slimmer of the Week, Barbara, lost 5 lbs. Almost everyone lost weight which wasn’t surprising as the average daily number of steps clocked up on their pedometers was around 28,000!
So, we go home today feeling fitter, healthier, happy and content that everyone has had the time of their life.
And why do we do it? We, the team who lead it, are exhausted but satisfied. Very satisfied. This is a holiday that brings together people who have experienced more than their fair share of life’s ups and downs, trials and tribulations, but who, together, grow and embrace the beauty of one of the world’s most exquisite countries, who push back the boundaries and grasp new challenges and make new friends. While we continue to witness such wonderful experiences we will keep going. It really is worth all the effort. Who says losing weight and getting fit can’t be fun!
Monday 28 June 2010
Oh dear!
I was happy to present medals at the Leicestershire and Rutland Youth Games on Sunday and fortunately the organisers had, in their early planning stages, anticipated an important World Cup game kicking off at 3 pm on the same day so the event was organised that it would end at 2.30 pm. No-one hung about and at 2.30 there was a mass exodus.
With a sinking feeling at the pit of my stomach and the realisation that England would now been playing for their World Cup life, Mike and I started watching the game at 3 pm on Sunday. Full of optimism and hope after their great game on Wednesday which we watched with the majority of our staff in the library at Quorn House, here we were again stressed out of our box and hoping beyond measure that Fabio Capello had got it right and that our players would play their socks off.
The first goal from Germany was painful. The second, more so. Then, miraculously, England scored and suddenly ‘hope’ was back on the menu. Then the unimaginable happened. A second goal was scored but disallowed! The endless replays only served to prove that technology should be used in such occasions but alas, FIFA had ruled that no such technology could be incorporated. The 2:1 score remained.
Two further painful goals from Germany left the commentators with nothing good to say about the England side. It was a desperate result from a team that individually were supreme when playing with their various teams at home with their extraordinary skill and talent, but who were woefully inadequate when played as a team at international level. What a desperate shame.
Yes . It is only a game. Nobody died and the result hasn’t suddenly solved the desperate problems facing this planet. But we have emotions and passion and that is a good thing. Long may that continue.
As human beings we respond to emotions and that’s good. Falling in love; getting excited about a new job; seeing yourself as a slim person immerging from an overweight body – these are great motivators that are golden. Finding that spark that makes you feel extraordinary instead of ordinary. But those feelings don’t come every day and some are easier to come by than others.
I work in a world where folk can transform their bodies from being tired and lifeless, unattractive and unfit into bodies that are full of life and energy, and feeling beautiful and confident. Such feelings and aspirations ARE within our control. Our control. If you want some help check out our website. We are happy to turn your life around and turn you into a champion!
With a sinking feeling at the pit of my stomach and the realisation that England would now been playing for their World Cup life, Mike and I started watching the game at 3 pm on Sunday. Full of optimism and hope after their great game on Wednesday which we watched with the majority of our staff in the library at Quorn House, here we were again stressed out of our box and hoping beyond measure that Fabio Capello had got it right and that our players would play their socks off.
The first goal from Germany was painful. The second, more so. Then, miraculously, England scored and suddenly ‘hope’ was back on the menu. Then the unimaginable happened. A second goal was scored but disallowed! The endless replays only served to prove that technology should be used in such occasions but alas, FIFA had ruled that no such technology could be incorporated. The 2:1 score remained.
Two further painful goals from Germany left the commentators with nothing good to say about the England side. It was a desperate result from a team that individually were supreme when playing with their various teams at home with their extraordinary skill and talent, but who were woefully inadequate when played as a team at international level. What a desperate shame.
Yes . It is only a game. Nobody died and the result hasn’t suddenly solved the desperate problems facing this planet. But we have emotions and passion and that is a good thing. Long may that continue.
As human beings we respond to emotions and that’s good. Falling in love; getting excited about a new job; seeing yourself as a slim person immerging from an overweight body – these are great motivators that are golden. Finding that spark that makes you feel extraordinary instead of ordinary. But those feelings don’t come every day and some are easier to come by than others.
I work in a world where folk can transform their bodies from being tired and lifeless, unattractive and unfit into bodies that are full of life and energy, and feeling beautiful and confident. Such feelings and aspirations ARE within our control. Our control. If you want some help check out our website. We are happy to turn your life around and turn you into a champion!
Wednesday 23 June 2010
Be Inspired!
Last Sunday I had the privilege of being invited to present the Compassion Awards at a Church service organised by the Trinity Life Church in Highfields in the centre of Leicester. The Awards had been created by their charity Open Hands.
I have been fortunate enough in my lifetime to meet some wonderful people who have achieved extraordinary things - from captains of industry to celebrities who have changed the world and the way we think. But Sunday was about celebrating special people who showed compassion to some very vulnerable people, and who gave their time for the love of those people, for the love of mankind. They didn’t even expect a thank you.
Awards were given to Colin Austin who used to be an MD of a printing company until he retired. Then he turned his skills and energies to volunteering to work for Intercare who send surplus patient-returned medicines to 107 rural health units in six African countries. 80 year-old Laura Williams has been visiting inmates in Leicester and Gartree prisons for over 20 years and is held in the highest esteem and honour by those she visits. Paul Bagworth has Multiple Sclerosis and has for years raised funds and worked extensively to support the Leicester MS Society. A giant of a man, when he came up to receive his award I said ‘I feel so small next to you’. He replied ‘You are small!’. My hand is still recovering from his unbelievably strong hand shake!
Bethany Rowley is only 18 and works to support children with disabilities and other charity initiatives. It was great to see such a young person giving so much of herself to improve others’ lives. Ramesh Mistry, who a few years ago himself survived a brain tumour, has devoted his time to helping others. Mary Gamble, aged 87, works tirelessly to represent and support Age Concern and Chris White runs a soup run with the Salvation Army and a Drop-in Centre for the homeless. Inspiring? Definitely. Humbling? Without question.
I came away from that ceremony feeling uplifted. In this world of uncertainty and economic crisis it made me realise that this country should be really proud of some very, very special heroes who are making a difference to those who probably will not be affected by our challenging economic times but who help people who are just concerned about survival. Long may we continue to applaud such special community treasures.
Yesterday, George Osbourne delivered his first budget. Yes, times are going to be tougher but compared with some disadvantaged folk – through all kinds of reasons and not necessarily of their own making – we really shouldn’t complain.
Let’s hope England win this afternoon and then everyone will feel better about everything!
I have been fortunate enough in my lifetime to meet some wonderful people who have achieved extraordinary things - from captains of industry to celebrities who have changed the world and the way we think. But Sunday was about celebrating special people who showed compassion to some very vulnerable people, and who gave their time for the love of those people, for the love of mankind. They didn’t even expect a thank you.
Awards were given to Colin Austin who used to be an MD of a printing company until he retired. Then he turned his skills and energies to volunteering to work for Intercare who send surplus patient-returned medicines to 107 rural health units in six African countries. 80 year-old Laura Williams has been visiting inmates in Leicester and Gartree prisons for over 20 years and is held in the highest esteem and honour by those she visits. Paul Bagworth has Multiple Sclerosis and has for years raised funds and worked extensively to support the Leicester MS Society. A giant of a man, when he came up to receive his award I said ‘I feel so small next to you’. He replied ‘You are small!’. My hand is still recovering from his unbelievably strong hand shake!
Bethany Rowley is only 18 and works to support children with disabilities and other charity initiatives. It was great to see such a young person giving so much of herself to improve others’ lives. Ramesh Mistry, who a few years ago himself survived a brain tumour, has devoted his time to helping others. Mary Gamble, aged 87, works tirelessly to represent and support Age Concern and Chris White runs a soup run with the Salvation Army and a Drop-in Centre for the homeless. Inspiring? Definitely. Humbling? Without question.
I came away from that ceremony feeling uplifted. In this world of uncertainty and economic crisis it made me realise that this country should be really proud of some very, very special heroes who are making a difference to those who probably will not be affected by our challenging economic times but who help people who are just concerned about survival. Long may we continue to applaud such special community treasures.
Yesterday, George Osbourne delivered his first budget. Yes, times are going to be tougher but compared with some disadvantaged folk – through all kinds of reasons and not necessarily of their own making – we really shouldn’t complain.
Let’s hope England win this afternoon and then everyone will feel better about everything!
Thursday 17 June 2010
Inspiring times
Every year we run a special RC week at Ragdale Hall when I pop along each day and give a talk or teach a few workouts to the group who have booked in for a four night stay. Lots of folk return year after year for their annual dose of inspiration and motivation to encourage them to adopt healthier eating habits, lose a few pounds and become a bit fitter. And it is delightful.
I love watching the sheer delight at ‘being back’ on those familiar faces, and the look of eager anticipation in the eyes of the new ones. By Day 3 they are all buzzing and everyone is loving every moment of their special treat week. I love it too as in the five days of tuition that I give I feel they have genuinely learned something that will set them up into the future. That’s what I hope anyway.
Last Friday was a very special day. We had seven successful slimmers come to Quorn House for a make-over and photoshoot. These ladies had been selected from the vast number of before and after photographs we are sent by our franchisees with a view to them appearing in our own magazine but we have so many we cannot include them all. We are constantly being asked by women’s magazines for success stories so every now and then we organise a photoshoot of some slimmers who are specifically selected for the national press. They have to have lost a massive amount of weight (over four stone) otherwise the media isn’t interested so these lasses were an impressive bunch.
I met them all at M&S where we selected gorgeous outfits that thrilled them to bits, in colours and styles they would never have dreamed of wearing. Then it’s back to Quorn for hair to be styled and make-up to be masterfully applied by a top make-up artist. Result? Seven gorgeous girls looking so fabulous they cry when they see their finished photographs. I so love these days.
Between them, this selection of seven had lost around 46 stone! The ladies in the trying-on department at M&S were fascinated and inspired by their successes and showered the slimmers with compliments. Then one came up to me and said, ‘You know, your slimmers are always so toned up. You’d never know they’d lost so much weight. How do you do that?’. ‘Exercise’, I told her, ‘it’s healthy eating combined with exercise that’s the key to a good body’.
Our whole business is based on teaching healthy eating and encouraging physical activity and exercise. It makes a massive difference to the end result – that slimmer body that’s toned up and looks like it’s never been overweight in the first place. And that, after all, is what we are all looking for.
Be inspired and start your shape-up campaign today so you can enjoy the sunshine and warmth this summer, and get out there to exercise in the sunshine. But you will need some personal help so try joining your local RC Diet and Fitness Class and you will transform your body and your life, (www.rosemaryconley.com). If we don’t have a class near you, try our online slimming club, (www.rosemaryconleyonline.com) where our team of special support staff will help you on your journey. It really works.
And remember, nothing tastes as good as being slim feels!
I love watching the sheer delight at ‘being back’ on those familiar faces, and the look of eager anticipation in the eyes of the new ones. By Day 3 they are all buzzing and everyone is loving every moment of their special treat week. I love it too as in the five days of tuition that I give I feel they have genuinely learned something that will set them up into the future. That’s what I hope anyway.
Last Friday was a very special day. We had seven successful slimmers come to Quorn House for a make-over and photoshoot. These ladies had been selected from the vast number of before and after photographs we are sent by our franchisees with a view to them appearing in our own magazine but we have so many we cannot include them all. We are constantly being asked by women’s magazines for success stories so every now and then we organise a photoshoot of some slimmers who are specifically selected for the national press. They have to have lost a massive amount of weight (over four stone) otherwise the media isn’t interested so these lasses were an impressive bunch.
I met them all at M&S where we selected gorgeous outfits that thrilled them to bits, in colours and styles they would never have dreamed of wearing. Then it’s back to Quorn for hair to be styled and make-up to be masterfully applied by a top make-up artist. Result? Seven gorgeous girls looking so fabulous they cry when they see their finished photographs. I so love these days.
Between them, this selection of seven had lost around 46 stone! The ladies in the trying-on department at M&S were fascinated and inspired by their successes and showered the slimmers with compliments. Then one came up to me and said, ‘You know, your slimmers are always so toned up. You’d never know they’d lost so much weight. How do you do that?’. ‘Exercise’, I told her, ‘it’s healthy eating combined with exercise that’s the key to a good body’.
Our whole business is based on teaching healthy eating and encouraging physical activity and exercise. It makes a massive difference to the end result – that slimmer body that’s toned up and looks like it’s never been overweight in the first place. And that, after all, is what we are all looking for.
Be inspired and start your shape-up campaign today so you can enjoy the sunshine and warmth this summer, and get out there to exercise in the sunshine. But you will need some personal help so try joining your local RC Diet and Fitness Class and you will transform your body and your life, (www.rosemaryconley.com). If we don’t have a class near you, try our online slimming club, (www.rosemaryconleyonline.com) where our team of special support staff will help you on your journey. It really works.
And remember, nothing tastes as good as being slim feels!
Friday 11 June 2010
Friday 11th June 2010!
At last the day has finally arrived. Today is the start of the 2010 World Cup.
Whether you are a fan of football or not, there is a real sense of excitement as this event is about to kick-off. To witness so many countries coming together in a united way to watch a sport of universal interest and passion is fabulous. Billions of viewers from across the globe will be tuning in to watch a game of football together. I cannot think of anything else that could create such a union. I love it!
Flags flickering from the tops of cars and suspended from houses and across streets create this united, carnival atmosphere. Even our dog Waise has an England t-shirt – purchased by my husband who normally deplores clothes on dogs! But when you witness strangers chatting freely about their hopes and dreams of the tournament, and coming together with a common passion and sense of patriotism to support our lads, it makes you proud to be English.
But perhaps the added excitement comes from seeing the South African people euphoric with excitement and anticipation. After such a depressed past they are so enjoying this moment as their country takes the world’s centre stage for the next few weeks. When rail lines and roads have been created, and amazing stadiums and facilities built, it’s no wonder they are celebrating. They don’t expect to win the World Cup but the people of South Africa are just THRILLED that it’s being held in their country. And justly so.
Back home, as the adrenalin pumps around our bodies as we support our boys, realise that watching an England game is really good for our weight loss! All that excitement and leaping up from the sofa is a great fat burner. However, you could undo all that extra calorie burning if you consume too much alcohol! But the good news is that if England win tomorrow, our elevated heart-rate, adrenalin flow and feeling of positivity within us will mean we keep on burning more calories for longer. Let’s hope we win – and keep on winning!
BEST OF LUCK ENGLAND!
Whether you are a fan of football or not, there is a real sense of excitement as this event is about to kick-off. To witness so many countries coming together in a united way to watch a sport of universal interest and passion is fabulous. Billions of viewers from across the globe will be tuning in to watch a game of football together. I cannot think of anything else that could create such a union. I love it!
Flags flickering from the tops of cars and suspended from houses and across streets create this united, carnival atmosphere. Even our dog Waise has an England t-shirt – purchased by my husband who normally deplores clothes on dogs! But when you witness strangers chatting freely about their hopes and dreams of the tournament, and coming together with a common passion and sense of patriotism to support our lads, it makes you proud to be English.
But perhaps the added excitement comes from seeing the South African people euphoric with excitement and anticipation. After such a depressed past they are so enjoying this moment as their country takes the world’s centre stage for the next few weeks. When rail lines and roads have been created, and amazing stadiums and facilities built, it’s no wonder they are celebrating. They don’t expect to win the World Cup but the people of South Africa are just THRILLED that it’s being held in their country. And justly so.
Back home, as the adrenalin pumps around our bodies as we support our boys, realise that watching an England game is really good for our weight loss! All that excitement and leaping up from the sofa is a great fat burner. However, you could undo all that extra calorie burning if you consume too much alcohol! But the good news is that if England win tomorrow, our elevated heart-rate, adrenalin flow and feeling of positivity within us will mean we keep on burning more calories for longer. Let’s hope we win – and keep on winning!
BEST OF LUCK ENGLAND!
Monday 31 May 2010
A funny couple of weeks.
It’s a while since I blogged but it’s been a funny couple of weeks.
Weekend before last we went with some friends to Loch Lomond Golf Club. It was a delayed celebration of Mike’s special birthday which he had in January and we invited three couples to join us for this real treat of an occasion. The men played golf around this idyllic championship golf course (the Scottish Open is held here) and we girls indulged ourselves in the fabulous spa. It was the weekend of the heat-wave and conditions could not have been better. But there was more.
On the Friday evening we went to the SECC in Glasgow to see Mark Knopfler. Mike has always been a big fan and it was a memorable occasion shared with 4,500 other folk who treasured the sound created by this guitar-playing maestro with a soft and gravelly voice.
We drove home on Monday to prepare for our trip to Portugal the next day and we are still here. We love this place and it gives us a chance to relax and enjoy the warm sunshine away from the day-to-day demands of being at home and at work – even though some work still needs to be dealt with.
Tomorrow our fellow Directors join us for our annual Think Tank. We started doing this five years ago and it is the most useful, constructive and creative time we have all year. Normally meetings are time-constrained because of more meetings but here we have no interruptions and a glass or two of Pimms in the afternoon helps us to think more creatively and plan for the year ahead. It also gives us some down-time to relax together – something we do too little of in the normal hum-drum of daily life.
I watched the tail-end of the Eurovision Song Contest. It was disappointing. Considering that, as a nation, we are one of the world’s leaders in pop music, how can we get it so wrong at this event?
The Grand Prix on Sunday was eventful. I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall of that after-race de-brief! Still, it was a one-two victory for us with Hamilton and Button heading the podium so good for them.
It’s very hot here in Portugal and soon it will be very hot in England. If you are carrying around some excess weight I strongly suggest that you get cracking with your diet and fitness campaign. Being overweight in the blistering heat is no fun and every lb you lose before the heat-wave, the better you will feel. Check out our website www.rosemaryconley.com for some genuine help and direction,.
Let’s see if we can think of even more ways to help you at our Think Tank this week!
Weekend before last we went with some friends to Loch Lomond Golf Club. It was a delayed celebration of Mike’s special birthday which he had in January and we invited three couples to join us for this real treat of an occasion. The men played golf around this idyllic championship golf course (the Scottish Open is held here) and we girls indulged ourselves in the fabulous spa. It was the weekend of the heat-wave and conditions could not have been better. But there was more.
On the Friday evening we went to the SECC in Glasgow to see Mark Knopfler. Mike has always been a big fan and it was a memorable occasion shared with 4,500 other folk who treasured the sound created by this guitar-playing maestro with a soft and gravelly voice.
We drove home on Monday to prepare for our trip to Portugal the next day and we are still here. We love this place and it gives us a chance to relax and enjoy the warm sunshine away from the day-to-day demands of being at home and at work – even though some work still needs to be dealt with.
Tomorrow our fellow Directors join us for our annual Think Tank. We started doing this five years ago and it is the most useful, constructive and creative time we have all year. Normally meetings are time-constrained because of more meetings but here we have no interruptions and a glass or two of Pimms in the afternoon helps us to think more creatively and plan for the year ahead. It also gives us some down-time to relax together – something we do too little of in the normal hum-drum of daily life.
I watched the tail-end of the Eurovision Song Contest. It was disappointing. Considering that, as a nation, we are one of the world’s leaders in pop music, how can we get it so wrong at this event?
The Grand Prix on Sunday was eventful. I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall of that after-race de-brief! Still, it was a one-two victory for us with Hamilton and Button heading the podium so good for them.
It’s very hot here in Portugal and soon it will be very hot in England. If you are carrying around some excess weight I strongly suggest that you get cracking with your diet and fitness campaign. Being overweight in the blistering heat is no fun and every lb you lose before the heat-wave, the better you will feel. Check out our website www.rosemaryconley.com for some genuine help and direction,.
Let’s see if we can think of even more ways to help you at our Think Tank this week!
Monday 17 May 2010
Another 'What a week!"
I found last week fascinating. I couldn’t wait for Monday and the ‘soap opera’ of a new government unfolding.
I was born after World War II but I saw enough footage of films showing families huddled round the radio to listen to the latest news to realise how anxious the nation was to hear about every twist and turn of events as they unfolded. Last Monday and Tuesday were like that too. On Tuesday evening I was driven to Buxton in Derbyshire to do a talk at a local Church. I have a driver so that I can work and catch up with my mail or write my columns for my magazine, as well as not have the strain of driving, getting there on time, fearing getting lost, etc.
My talk went well and everyone was lovely. A gentlemen came up to talk at the end and told me how he and his brother had been put into care from birth and that his mother had died when he was four weeks old. He stayed in a children’s home till he was 21. He must be in his early 70’s now and he wanted to send me a CD that he loves because he thinks I will enjoy it. I love those sorts of presents. They mean the world to me.
Back to politics. On the journey home I asked David, my driver, to turn on the 10 o’clock news. It was one of those ‘crowding round the radio’ moments as it emerged that David Cameron and Nick Clegg had reached an agreement and Gordon Brown had stood down. Listening to the comment and opinions on Radio 4 (I’m a Radio 2 fan but when things are serious it has to be Radio 4), there was this real sense of hope that this new government will work. Like the rest of the nation, I really hope it does.
Wednesday was an early start for a drive down to London to meet my book publishers. My Amazing Inch Loss Plan book has done very well and is to be re-packaged for January in a smaller format, with the exercises currently included to be demonstrated on www.rosemaryconley.tv instead of being featured in the book. In addition, we will include testimonials of the many, many folk who have transformed their bodies with this diet. When you write a diet book you are selling hope. If you have heaps of people who have proved that the diet works – because it really does – then it gives prospective dieters optimism and determination to give it a real try.
Thursday was Board Meeting day. I love these days because it enables us to have a catch-up as to where we are at. Our Solo Slim food range has really taken off and people are loving it. I love it when we try something new and it works. We have such a lovely team at Quorn House and working is a total pleasure.
Friday was an Open Day for potential franchisees to come to Quorn House to meet us and get to know about our franchise opportunity. Folk from all corners of the British Isles came along, and with such varied backgrounds too, all wanting to run classes to help folk to lose weight and become fitter. They were a really grand bunch of people and several will, I am sure, become RC franchisees – but only if it is right for them and we feel they are right for us.
I hardly ever accept an invitation to speak or present at a function on a Friday night but last Friday was an exception. The Leicester Netball Association were holding a Celebratory Dinner and asked if I would present their Awards, plus they were raising money for my main charity Steps Conductive Education Centre in Shepshed (www.stepscentre.org). How could I refuse? So it was a late night for me and an early start on Saturday to host an 80th Birthday Party for my step-mother in Norfolk. It went really well but by the time I had driven home, and 250 miles during the day, I was spent. But my Step-mum had a great day and it was all worth the effort and, actually, very enjoyable.
Sunday was a rest day but, as Patron of The Laura Centre, I needed to attend a Memorial Service to remember the many children who had died so sadly and tragically. It is always a very moving event but one I won’t miss. It makes me realise how very, very fortunate I am and how some folk have tragic events in their lives that they have to cope with and, despite those shattering experiences, continue to hold their families together. We really should count our blessings.
I have four more days before I have two weeks and one day off! Yes, I am really looking forward to it.
I was born after World War II but I saw enough footage of films showing families huddled round the radio to listen to the latest news to realise how anxious the nation was to hear about every twist and turn of events as they unfolded. Last Monday and Tuesday were like that too. On Tuesday evening I was driven to Buxton in Derbyshire to do a talk at a local Church. I have a driver so that I can work and catch up with my mail or write my columns for my magazine, as well as not have the strain of driving, getting there on time, fearing getting lost, etc.
My talk went well and everyone was lovely. A gentlemen came up to talk at the end and told me how he and his brother had been put into care from birth and that his mother had died when he was four weeks old. He stayed in a children’s home till he was 21. He must be in his early 70’s now and he wanted to send me a CD that he loves because he thinks I will enjoy it. I love those sorts of presents. They mean the world to me.
Back to politics. On the journey home I asked David, my driver, to turn on the 10 o’clock news. It was one of those ‘crowding round the radio’ moments as it emerged that David Cameron and Nick Clegg had reached an agreement and Gordon Brown had stood down. Listening to the comment and opinions on Radio 4 (I’m a Radio 2 fan but when things are serious it has to be Radio 4), there was this real sense of hope that this new government will work. Like the rest of the nation, I really hope it does.
Wednesday was an early start for a drive down to London to meet my book publishers. My Amazing Inch Loss Plan book has done very well and is to be re-packaged for January in a smaller format, with the exercises currently included to be demonstrated on www.rosemaryconley.tv instead of being featured in the book. In addition, we will include testimonials of the many, many folk who have transformed their bodies with this diet. When you write a diet book you are selling hope. If you have heaps of people who have proved that the diet works – because it really does – then it gives prospective dieters optimism and determination to give it a real try.
Thursday was Board Meeting day. I love these days because it enables us to have a catch-up as to where we are at. Our Solo Slim food range has really taken off and people are loving it. I love it when we try something new and it works. We have such a lovely team at Quorn House and working is a total pleasure.
Friday was an Open Day for potential franchisees to come to Quorn House to meet us and get to know about our franchise opportunity. Folk from all corners of the British Isles came along, and with such varied backgrounds too, all wanting to run classes to help folk to lose weight and become fitter. They were a really grand bunch of people and several will, I am sure, become RC franchisees – but only if it is right for them and we feel they are right for us.
I hardly ever accept an invitation to speak or present at a function on a Friday night but last Friday was an exception. The Leicester Netball Association were holding a Celebratory Dinner and asked if I would present their Awards, plus they were raising money for my main charity Steps Conductive Education Centre in Shepshed (www.stepscentre.org). How could I refuse? So it was a late night for me and an early start on Saturday to host an 80th Birthday Party for my step-mother in Norfolk. It went really well but by the time I had driven home, and 250 miles during the day, I was spent. But my Step-mum had a great day and it was all worth the effort and, actually, very enjoyable.
Sunday was a rest day but, as Patron of The Laura Centre, I needed to attend a Memorial Service to remember the many children who had died so sadly and tragically. It is always a very moving event but one I won’t miss. It makes me realise how very, very fortunate I am and how some folk have tragic events in their lives that they have to cope with and, despite those shattering experiences, continue to hold their families together. We really should count our blessings.
I have four more days before I have two weeks and one day off! Yes, I am really looking forward to it.
Monday 10 May 2010
What an interesting couple of weeks!
This is the first time I’ve blogged for two weeks. The last fortnight has been a really frantic time with lots of ups and downs to challenge me.
It started with my lovely mum-in-law falling down the stairs at her dentist’s surgery two weeks ago today. She hurt her foot, banged her head and passed out! After visits to the doctor, the hospital, two X-rays and the great news that nothing was broken, Jeanne still couldn’t walk. The old ‘executive-type’ office chair on casters improvised as a good means of transportation to the bathroom, bedroom, etc until we managed to borrow a wheelchair from the Red Cross. In the end Mike bought a self-propelling wheelchair which Jeanne could manage herself to some degree.
What astounded me was the fact that at the grand age of 87 (88 next month), Jeanne has never once moaned. She just says how fortunate she is – even on the day she fell. What a fantastic attitude!
The week, as always, was busy, but with kind friends who popped in when Mike or I couldn’t be there, Jeanne was cared for. And it’s amazing how you adapt into a new routine and how, if everyone co-operates, you cope. Now Jeanne is progressing well, walking a little and getting better.
There has been an unexpected bonus from all this. I have had to walk up those 38 stairs to Jeanne’s flat probably 10 times a day with the benefit that I feel fitter and my jeans are positively loose. Every cloud has a silver lining!
Last Tuesday evening I took a fitness session for around 30 Cubs and Scouts locally. I’d done it last year and I’d been invited back because they’d enjoyed it so much. We had a really fun time doing circuits, hula hooping, stepping up and down off benches, skipping and laughing. The Scout Leader, Adam Tate, at just 18 years old is an inspiration. He ran the whole evening on his own and was brilliant.
Thursday was the evening for the Leicestershire Young Enterprise County Finals at the Leicester Tiger’s Stadium. Six teams from local schools presented their Young Enterprise companies’ activities to an audience of around 400 – a daunting prospect for anyone but particularly if you are aged between 14 – 17! They were inspirational and the excitement when each school won an Award was fantastic. England Rugby star, Martin Corry, was the keynote speaker and he was brilliant. He emphasised the importance of determination and a positive attitude if you wanted to be successful in life. Such a nice guy too.
Then Friday was our Roadshow in Oxford when 250 of our lovely members came together to work out and soak up motivation from Mary Morris, my colleague who is a fitness supremo, and myself. Roadshows are always hard work but always fantastically rewarding. We loved it.
Then Mary and I were off to Portugal for just two days to write a booklet for a social enterprise project we are involved in. So, from having a 5 am start on the Friday to get to Oxford in time, feeling exhausted after the Roadshow, we were up at 4.30 am on Saturday morning to drive to East Midlands Airport. We’d checked in online and were excited about our couple of days away from the normal routine of life to concentrate and create something that we hoped would help a lot of people. As we breezed through the airport to go to security we were told the flight had been cancelled due to the volcanic ash cloud! As we turned around we could see the sad faces of hundreds of fellow passengers queuing at the BMI Baby information desk. Holiday-makers, families so in need of a much-longed-for holiday. It was sad. We were philosophical about it and just turned round and went home. There was no point in waiting and hoping. If we went home now we could work there instead. We did just that and progressed quite significantly. By 5 p.m. we were shattered and were glad to pack up our work and Mary went home. I was in bed by 9 pm.
And then, on top of all this, there has been a General Election. I really shouldn't moan about long hours and lack of sleep should I? I feel for those guys.
It started with my lovely mum-in-law falling down the stairs at her dentist’s surgery two weeks ago today. She hurt her foot, banged her head and passed out! After visits to the doctor, the hospital, two X-rays and the great news that nothing was broken, Jeanne still couldn’t walk. The old ‘executive-type’ office chair on casters improvised as a good means of transportation to the bathroom, bedroom, etc until we managed to borrow a wheelchair from the Red Cross. In the end Mike bought a self-propelling wheelchair which Jeanne could manage herself to some degree.
What astounded me was the fact that at the grand age of 87 (88 next month), Jeanne has never once moaned. She just says how fortunate she is – even on the day she fell. What a fantastic attitude!
The week, as always, was busy, but with kind friends who popped in when Mike or I couldn’t be there, Jeanne was cared for. And it’s amazing how you adapt into a new routine and how, if everyone co-operates, you cope. Now Jeanne is progressing well, walking a little and getting better.
There has been an unexpected bonus from all this. I have had to walk up those 38 stairs to Jeanne’s flat probably 10 times a day with the benefit that I feel fitter and my jeans are positively loose. Every cloud has a silver lining!
Last Tuesday evening I took a fitness session for around 30 Cubs and Scouts locally. I’d done it last year and I’d been invited back because they’d enjoyed it so much. We had a really fun time doing circuits, hula hooping, stepping up and down off benches, skipping and laughing. The Scout Leader, Adam Tate, at just 18 years old is an inspiration. He ran the whole evening on his own and was brilliant.
Thursday was the evening for the Leicestershire Young Enterprise County Finals at the Leicester Tiger’s Stadium. Six teams from local schools presented their Young Enterprise companies’ activities to an audience of around 400 – a daunting prospect for anyone but particularly if you are aged between 14 – 17! They were inspirational and the excitement when each school won an Award was fantastic. England Rugby star, Martin Corry, was the keynote speaker and he was brilliant. He emphasised the importance of determination and a positive attitude if you wanted to be successful in life. Such a nice guy too.
Then Friday was our Roadshow in Oxford when 250 of our lovely members came together to work out and soak up motivation from Mary Morris, my colleague who is a fitness supremo, and myself. Roadshows are always hard work but always fantastically rewarding. We loved it.
Then Mary and I were off to Portugal for just two days to write a booklet for a social enterprise project we are involved in. So, from having a 5 am start on the Friday to get to Oxford in time, feeling exhausted after the Roadshow, we were up at 4.30 am on Saturday morning to drive to East Midlands Airport. We’d checked in online and were excited about our couple of days away from the normal routine of life to concentrate and create something that we hoped would help a lot of people. As we breezed through the airport to go to security we were told the flight had been cancelled due to the volcanic ash cloud! As we turned around we could see the sad faces of hundreds of fellow passengers queuing at the BMI Baby information desk. Holiday-makers, families so in need of a much-longed-for holiday. It was sad. We were philosophical about it and just turned round and went home. There was no point in waiting and hoping. If we went home now we could work there instead. We did just that and progressed quite significantly. By 5 p.m. we were shattered and were glad to pack up our work and Mary went home. I was in bed by 9 pm.
And then, on top of all this, there has been a General Election. I really shouldn't moan about long hours and lack of sleep should I? I feel for those guys.
Monday 26 April 2010
Center Parcs Training Convention - WOW!
It’s a while since I blogged. Since we came back from our holiday two weeks ago my feet don’t seemed to have touched the ground. It’s been totally manic – but as always, tremendous fun!
Last weekend was no exception. It was our annual Training Convention at Center Parcs and no less than 200 of our wonderful franchisees and their employees/instructors attended. It really is the most extraordinary sight! Two hundred super-fit women all exercising together, learning different choreography from a variety of presenters – some from our organisation and some from outside – and they absolutely loved it. Smiling faces, laughing out-loud, sweat dripping down their backs...it was positively buzzing!
We have an extraordinary Training Team who put together the exciting programme of events, but what struck me so strongly was the sheer talent of our franchisees and their instructors. The energy they have, the ability to learn sometimes quite complicated routines almost instantly is amazing. I just looked on in total admiration and pride that we have such brilliant teachers representing our organisation. No wonder the members love them so much.
The Center Parcs event is the one occasion during the year that I have the opportunity to meet the instructors who work for our franchisees. Some have lost an incredible amount of weight and have been recruited from the classes. There were three Slimmers of the Year who have either become franchisees or employees. Others were eagerly sharing their stories with me of their members who have lost 2/3/4/5 stone already on the Amazing Inch Loss Plan diet. Photographs were being pulled out of kit bags, books were being passed to me to sign for special members. It was all lovely.
I know all our girls are special. They care so much about their members and when I was shown a book that had been compiled and produced by a member of franchisee Jo Beardsmore-Dilks I was really touched. The book was incredible. It was the quality of any glossy book you’d buy in Waterstones. The members had gone to the trouble to write their personal messages of gratitude, have their individual photographs taken, to show their appreciation to Jo and to commemorate her birthday as a franchisee. Not her 10th or 15th anniversary, but her 2nd. In the two years since Jo started her business, she has made such an impression that her members wanted to recognise her efforts and support. Wonderful!
As I looked on, smiling continuously, at our teachers exercising in the style of Bollywood to Zumba, I felt an immense sense of pride. I felt like a mother hen looking over her flock. They do a fantastic job, along with our staff who keep the wheels of our company turning and the Center Parcs weekend operating like clockwork. The icing on the cake was the staff performing a stunning and enormous fun World Cup spoof routine as a grand finale. Everybody had a fabulous time and today it’s back to normality, which, for most of our franchisees, that’s running an average of eleven diet and fitness classes every week. No wonder they’re fit!
Last weekend was no exception. It was our annual Training Convention at Center Parcs and no less than 200 of our wonderful franchisees and their employees/instructors attended. It really is the most extraordinary sight! Two hundred super-fit women all exercising together, learning different choreography from a variety of presenters – some from our organisation and some from outside – and they absolutely loved it. Smiling faces, laughing out-loud, sweat dripping down their backs...it was positively buzzing!
We have an extraordinary Training Team who put together the exciting programme of events, but what struck me so strongly was the sheer talent of our franchisees and their instructors. The energy they have, the ability to learn sometimes quite complicated routines almost instantly is amazing. I just looked on in total admiration and pride that we have such brilliant teachers representing our organisation. No wonder the members love them so much.
The Center Parcs event is the one occasion during the year that I have the opportunity to meet the instructors who work for our franchisees. Some have lost an incredible amount of weight and have been recruited from the classes. There were three Slimmers of the Year who have either become franchisees or employees. Others were eagerly sharing their stories with me of their members who have lost 2/3/4/5 stone already on the Amazing Inch Loss Plan diet. Photographs were being pulled out of kit bags, books were being passed to me to sign for special members. It was all lovely.
I know all our girls are special. They care so much about their members and when I was shown a book that had been compiled and produced by a member of franchisee Jo Beardsmore-Dilks I was really touched. The book was incredible. It was the quality of any glossy book you’d buy in Waterstones. The members had gone to the trouble to write their personal messages of gratitude, have their individual photographs taken, to show their appreciation to Jo and to commemorate her birthday as a franchisee. Not her 10th or 15th anniversary, but her 2nd. In the two years since Jo started her business, she has made such an impression that her members wanted to recognise her efforts and support. Wonderful!
As I looked on, smiling continuously, at our teachers exercising in the style of Bollywood to Zumba, I felt an immense sense of pride. I felt like a mother hen looking over her flock. They do a fantastic job, along with our staff who keep the wheels of our company turning and the Center Parcs weekend operating like clockwork. The icing on the cake was the staff performing a stunning and enormous fun World Cup spoof routine as a grand finale. Everybody had a fabulous time and today it’s back to normality, which, for most of our franchisees, that’s running an average of eleven diet and fitness classes every week. No wonder they’re fit!
Monday 12 April 2010
Why I think 5-a-day is still good news!
I’m back from our two week holiday and of course we find ourselves in the middle of Election Fever. May the best man win!
Anyway, the news emerged last week that eating our five-a-day didn’t have the cancer-preventing qualities that the nutrition experts thought it had after all. Reducing levels of obesity and smoking are, apparently, more effective.
I think it is really sad that all the progress that has been made over the last seven years in educating the population towards the importance of eating more fruit and vegetables has been sent backwards by this non-story. After all, by eating your five-a-day you still reduce your risk of cancer by 3%. Surely that’s a reduction worth working for?
I remember a few years ago the story broke that HRT increased our chances of contracting breast cancer. The research of the day said the risk was between 1 – 2%. As a result, millions of women stopped taking HRT which, in my opinion, is a magical medication. A few years later the research was turned on its head and the risk from HRT was confirmed as so minute and that the risks were far outweighed by the, now confirmed, many health benefits. By that time millions of women had come to terms with living without HRT and their lives and their health may well have suffered as a result. I insisted on staying on hormone replacement therapy because if made me feel 25 years younger. It still does and I intend to stay on it for ever.
Now, back to our five-a-day fruit and vegetables. If 3% of the population benefit significantly from eating five-a-day, that has to be good news, surely. Add to this the fact that eating more fruit and vegetables also helps reduce obesity, why on earth come out with a negative news story that is unhelpful to our health! Vegetables are full of low calorie, low fat nutrients that give us a multitude of vitamins and health benefits – as well as filling us up at mealtimes and providing a tasty low-cal snack.
So, I wonder how long it will be before they come up with another story that confirms the wisdom of eating more fruit and veg? Soon, I hope, because if we eat less than we already do, heaven help us!
In the meantime, enjoy the Spring sunshine and get out there in the open air and enjoy being more active. Check out our website if you need some help to lose weight or become fitter. Our latest issue of our magazine is published this week and it is packed full of loads of delicious recipes for you to try. If you can’t find it at your local supermarket, you can always subscribe via our website and get it delivered to your door before it reaches the shops. Enjoy your week.
Anyway, the news emerged last week that eating our five-a-day didn’t have the cancer-preventing qualities that the nutrition experts thought it had after all. Reducing levels of obesity and smoking are, apparently, more effective.
I think it is really sad that all the progress that has been made over the last seven years in educating the population towards the importance of eating more fruit and vegetables has been sent backwards by this non-story. After all, by eating your five-a-day you still reduce your risk of cancer by 3%. Surely that’s a reduction worth working for?
I remember a few years ago the story broke that HRT increased our chances of contracting breast cancer. The research of the day said the risk was between 1 – 2%. As a result, millions of women stopped taking HRT which, in my opinion, is a magical medication. A few years later the research was turned on its head and the risk from HRT was confirmed as so minute and that the risks were far outweighed by the, now confirmed, many health benefits. By that time millions of women had come to terms with living without HRT and their lives and their health may well have suffered as a result. I insisted on staying on hormone replacement therapy because if made me feel 25 years younger. It still does and I intend to stay on it for ever.
Now, back to our five-a-day fruit and vegetables. If 3% of the population benefit significantly from eating five-a-day, that has to be good news, surely. Add to this the fact that eating more fruit and vegetables also helps reduce obesity, why on earth come out with a negative news story that is unhelpful to our health! Vegetables are full of low calorie, low fat nutrients that give us a multitude of vitamins and health benefits – as well as filling us up at mealtimes and providing a tasty low-cal snack.
So, I wonder how long it will be before they come up with another story that confirms the wisdom of eating more fruit and veg? Soon, I hope, because if we eat less than we already do, heaven help us!
In the meantime, enjoy the Spring sunshine and get out there in the open air and enjoy being more active. Check out our website if you need some help to lose weight or become fitter. Our latest issue of our magazine is published this week and it is packed full of loads of delicious recipes for you to try. If you can’t find it at your local supermarket, you can always subscribe via our website and get it delivered to your door before it reaches the shops. Enjoy your week.
Tuesday 6 April 2010
Spring time and a new beginning
It is now officially Spring and Easter has been and gone and hopefully, very soon, we will start to have some beautiful warm weather in the UK. I’m currently in Portugal where we really are appreciating the warmer weather and realising how good it is to feel the sun on your back.
I love the Spring-time with the trees breaking into life and the flowers looking so bright and cheerful. There are fields at the end of our garden at home and at this time of the year the lambs are very entertaining. They jump and skip, and at 5 o’clock each day they have races. They chase each other in groups and have a really fun time while their mums graze away contentedly. It is fascinating to watch and it is totally inspiring. It makes you want to go outside and be amongst it. And that’s good for us.
The after-Easter period is the second busiest time in the dieting calendar (January is the peak) as people become inspired to lose weight ready for their summer holidays. The good news is that we do feel more inspired to do something as going out and about on a bike, for a walk or run, or to the park, is significantly more pleasant than doing it in the freezing cold and wet. Lots of people will be signing up for Race for Life and now is the time to start training. To help you, we have included on www.rosemaryconley.tv a Race for Life Training Programme which you can log on to each week for that week’s training schedule. Designed by our very own fitness expert Mary Morris, it helps you progress your fitness to enable you to run or walk the Race to the maximum of your capability and fitness.
If you want to be fitter and slimmer for your holidays, make a pledge right now to make some small steps towards your goals. Log on to www.rosemaryconley.com for details of your nearest Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Club classes, and if there’s not one near you try our Online slimming club, our magazine and much much more. We are here to help you so just do it – for yourself!
I love the Spring-time with the trees breaking into life and the flowers looking so bright and cheerful. There are fields at the end of our garden at home and at this time of the year the lambs are very entertaining. They jump and skip, and at 5 o’clock each day they have races. They chase each other in groups and have a really fun time while their mums graze away contentedly. It is fascinating to watch and it is totally inspiring. It makes you want to go outside and be amongst it. And that’s good for us.
The after-Easter period is the second busiest time in the dieting calendar (January is the peak) as people become inspired to lose weight ready for their summer holidays. The good news is that we do feel more inspired to do something as going out and about on a bike, for a walk or run, or to the park, is significantly more pleasant than doing it in the freezing cold and wet. Lots of people will be signing up for Race for Life and now is the time to start training. To help you, we have included on www.rosemaryconley.tv a Race for Life Training Programme which you can log on to each week for that week’s training schedule. Designed by our very own fitness expert Mary Morris, it helps you progress your fitness to enable you to run or walk the Race to the maximum of your capability and fitness.
If you want to be fitter and slimmer for your holidays, make a pledge right now to make some small steps towards your goals. Log on to www.rosemaryconley.com for details of your nearest Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Club classes, and if there’s not one near you try our Online slimming club, our magazine and much much more. We are here to help you so just do it – for yourself!
Tuesday 30 March 2010
So the best diet to suit us could be found in our genes...
In a report of some research carried out in the States, it would seem that our suitability for a particular diet could be determined by our genes. For some, low-fat works wonders whilst for others there is a real preference for eating a high-protein-low-carb diet. I think this is interesting and I will watch with interest to see how further research develops.
As you know, I still take a couple of classes a week myself and this year there was great excitement when my Amazing Inch Loss Plan diet was launched in all of our classes. I can honestly say that neither I, nor our Rosemary Conley Club franchisees, have ever seen weight drop off folk so fast in the first month of new members joining. For most, our confidence in our claim that you could ‘lose a stone in a month’ was met, and in many cases, exceeded. But not for everyone. A few felt they had been strict in following the diet but had lost ‘only’ eight or nine pounds. Maybe they should follow the high-protein options within the diet and not eat so many carbs? I don’t know.
What I do know is that we all lose weight at different rates, we do different things in our very different lives, and our portion sizes vary, our exercise activity can be extremely different from one to another and yet we all believe we have also been ‘religious’ in our adherence to the diet and a positive ‘slave‘ to the exercise routine. The fact is that in reality, some will have been totally dedicated to maximising their weight loss and others will not have been quite so determined. Unless we literally keep them in a room in a laboratory and feed them through a hatch, we will never know.
Whilst my Amazing Inch Loss Plan is designed to encourage a big weight loss in the first four weeks and then a steady 1 – 2 lbs a week thereafter, there is no doubt that for many it is working completely brilliantly. When you lose a good chunk of weight in the first month and drop a dress size, it certainly gives you the determination to carry on eating a calorie controlled, low fat healthy diet combined with exercise thereafter so that you really do reach your goal. And that’s why we make the claim ‘lose a stone in a month’. To give you the determination to make a big effort for just four weeks to motivate you to carry on and then keep on going at a steady rate thereafter.
Over Easter try to avoid the Easter eggs and ask for flowers or make-up instead if you’re a woman, or maybe a bottle of wine if you’re a guy. The problem with eating chocolate at Easter is that you can get the taste for it again and re-breaking the chocolate habit can be tough. For me, I want to be slim more than I want an Easter egg and I know I can’t be trusted with chocolate so there’ll be no Easter eggs for me!
Happy Easter everyone and look forward to getting slim for summer at our classes after Easter or at www.rosemaryconleyonline.com. We’re here to help so go to www.rosemaryconley.com for all the details.
As you know, I still take a couple of classes a week myself and this year there was great excitement when my Amazing Inch Loss Plan diet was launched in all of our classes. I can honestly say that neither I, nor our Rosemary Conley Club franchisees, have ever seen weight drop off folk so fast in the first month of new members joining. For most, our confidence in our claim that you could ‘lose a stone in a month’ was met, and in many cases, exceeded. But not for everyone. A few felt they had been strict in following the diet but had lost ‘only’ eight or nine pounds. Maybe they should follow the high-protein options within the diet and not eat so many carbs? I don’t know.
What I do know is that we all lose weight at different rates, we do different things in our very different lives, and our portion sizes vary, our exercise activity can be extremely different from one to another and yet we all believe we have also been ‘religious’ in our adherence to the diet and a positive ‘slave‘ to the exercise routine. The fact is that in reality, some will have been totally dedicated to maximising their weight loss and others will not have been quite so determined. Unless we literally keep them in a room in a laboratory and feed them through a hatch, we will never know.
Whilst my Amazing Inch Loss Plan is designed to encourage a big weight loss in the first four weeks and then a steady 1 – 2 lbs a week thereafter, there is no doubt that for many it is working completely brilliantly. When you lose a good chunk of weight in the first month and drop a dress size, it certainly gives you the determination to carry on eating a calorie controlled, low fat healthy diet combined with exercise thereafter so that you really do reach your goal. And that’s why we make the claim ‘lose a stone in a month’. To give you the determination to make a big effort for just four weeks to motivate you to carry on and then keep on going at a steady rate thereafter.
Over Easter try to avoid the Easter eggs and ask for flowers or make-up instead if you’re a woman, or maybe a bottle of wine if you’re a guy. The problem with eating chocolate at Easter is that you can get the taste for it again and re-breaking the chocolate habit can be tough. For me, I want to be slim more than I want an Easter egg and I know I can’t be trusted with chocolate so there’ll be no Easter eggs for me!
Happy Easter everyone and look forward to getting slim for summer at our classes after Easter or at www.rosemaryconleyonline.com. We’re here to help so go to www.rosemaryconley.com for all the details.
Wednesday 24 March 2010
Recovering after the Vitality Show!
Well, it’s Wednesday and this is the first day I have felt like I am a human being again! After four solid and full days at the Vitality Show, signing autographs, having my photograph taken with a multitude of lovely folk, and giving a one-hour lecture each day, it is lovely, at last, to be back to normal.
The Vitality Show is the only Show we do all year as to do an event like this is both expensive, time consuming and totally exhausting but, very, very rewarding on many levels. Where else would someone come up to you and tell you that they have lost 15 stone ( yes, 15 stone!) on your diet? Where else would you find folk who have been working out to your videos/DVDs for the last 20 years? Where else would you find people who are shaking with excitement at meeting you? It is, indeed, a privilege to meet so many genuinely lovely people who are just thrilled that you have signed your name on their free magazine or their autograph book.
We had a team of 17 staff who worked their socks off talking to the general public, answering questions, serving our Solo Slim foods, selling books, DVDs, Facial Flexes and Portion Pots and handing out 10,000 goody bags containing a magazine, special offers and treats to the ever-hungry passers-by who wanted anything that was being given away. And why not? That’s what exhibitions are all about.
But the benefits are not just in meeting the public or selling our products. The team building and bonding benefits of our staff working hard together, out of the normal working environment, was priceless. Everyone worked unbelievably hard and everyone loved every minute. We wined and dined in the evenings and cried with laughter at the funny stories and events of the day. Husbands and partners volunteered to help pack the goody bags and became part of the bigger RC family which makes our company what it is – a fun place to work.
When it reached 5.15 pm on Sunday, the last day, we drank a glass of Kia Royale together (the champagne stand was next door, fortunately) and we patted ourselves on our communal backs for a job well done. And it was. On Monday, we were all exhausted. Mike and I felt we had been run-over by an army tank! The adrenalin had stopped flowing and it felt as though someone had unplugged our energy supply. By Tuesday we were almost human again. Today, we feel back to normal.
Will someone please make a note for next year that, despite the total exhaustion, we did really enjoy it and it was incredibly worthwhile!
The Vitality Show is the only Show we do all year as to do an event like this is both expensive, time consuming and totally exhausting but, very, very rewarding on many levels. Where else would someone come up to you and tell you that they have lost 15 stone ( yes, 15 stone!) on your diet? Where else would you find folk who have been working out to your videos/DVDs for the last 20 years? Where else would you find people who are shaking with excitement at meeting you? It is, indeed, a privilege to meet so many genuinely lovely people who are just thrilled that you have signed your name on their free magazine or their autograph book.
We had a team of 17 staff who worked their socks off talking to the general public, answering questions, serving our Solo Slim foods, selling books, DVDs, Facial Flexes and Portion Pots and handing out 10,000 goody bags containing a magazine, special offers and treats to the ever-hungry passers-by who wanted anything that was being given away. And why not? That’s what exhibitions are all about.
But the benefits are not just in meeting the public or selling our products. The team building and bonding benefits of our staff working hard together, out of the normal working environment, was priceless. Everyone worked unbelievably hard and everyone loved every minute. We wined and dined in the evenings and cried with laughter at the funny stories and events of the day. Husbands and partners volunteered to help pack the goody bags and became part of the bigger RC family which makes our company what it is – a fun place to work.
When it reached 5.15 pm on Sunday, the last day, we drank a glass of Kia Royale together (the champagne stand was next door, fortunately) and we patted ourselves on our communal backs for a job well done. And it was. On Monday, we were all exhausted. Mike and I felt we had been run-over by an army tank! The adrenalin had stopped flowing and it felt as though someone had unplugged our energy supply. By Tuesday we were almost human again. Today, we feel back to normal.
Will someone please make a note for next year that, despite the total exhaustion, we did really enjoy it and it was incredibly worthwhile!
Monday 15 March 2010
We’re off to the Vitality Show!
On Thursday Mike and I, and about a dozen of our staff, travel down to the Vitality Show at Earls Court in London. It’s a four day exhibition and I’m there for the full duration. It is probably the toughest assignment I have all year as it is full-on – meeting the public, answering questions and giving a speech every day to a few hundred folk who are kind enough to want to come and listen to me give advice on how to become fitter and healthier.
We will sell hundreds of my books and my DVDs, and this year for the first time, our Solo Slim ready meals and low fat cheese. It is the perfect platform to be able to explain to the general public about our new online television channel as well as our new and latest products. It is really lovely to meet folk who come up to me and tell me how much weight they’ve lost, how their lives have been changed because of my diets or our classes. It is a privilege to meet so many people who genuinely love what we do.
The other upside of committing to the four days is that we, as a team, work brilliantly together. I may be the one whose name is on the stand and who is delivering the talks but on that stand we are all equal. We all work our socks off and the camaraderie between us is terrific. Mike, my husband, is there too which makes a big difference for me. He really helps me to keep going when I get a bit weary! Then, in the evening, we all have a drink and then eat together and have a lot of laughter. I believe every company should organise events where everybody has to muck in together and interact with each other. It provides a brilliant bonding process that carries on when we return to normal life back at Quorn House, our offices.
If you fancy coming along you will find us in Earls Court 2, London from 18 – 21 March. Visit www.thevitalityshow.co.uk for more details.
So, this time next week I will feel totally exhausted. But, hopefully, I will feel that all our hard work was worthwhile.
We will sell hundreds of my books and my DVDs, and this year for the first time, our Solo Slim ready meals and low fat cheese. It is the perfect platform to be able to explain to the general public about our new online television channel as well as our new and latest products. It is really lovely to meet folk who come up to me and tell me how much weight they’ve lost, how their lives have been changed because of my diets or our classes. It is a privilege to meet so many people who genuinely love what we do.
The other upside of committing to the four days is that we, as a team, work brilliantly together. I may be the one whose name is on the stand and who is delivering the talks but on that stand we are all equal. We all work our socks off and the camaraderie between us is terrific. Mike, my husband, is there too which makes a big difference for me. He really helps me to keep going when I get a bit weary! Then, in the evening, we all have a drink and then eat together and have a lot of laughter. I believe every company should organise events where everybody has to muck in together and interact with each other. It provides a brilliant bonding process that carries on when we return to normal life back at Quorn House, our offices.
If you fancy coming along you will find us in Earls Court 2, London from 18 – 21 March. Visit www.thevitalityshow.co.uk for more details.
So, this time next week I will feel totally exhausted. But, hopefully, I will feel that all our hard work was worthwhile.
Monday 8 March 2010
I love my job!
Last Thursday I had the privilege of speaking at the East Midlands Business Women’s Conference and presenting the Awards for the three categories, sponsored by EMDA (East Midlands Development Agency),for Business Woman of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Most Innovative Business of the Year. Some weeks earlier I had been a judge for these awards so I was involved in deciding should win.
Every one of the finalists deserved to be a winner but we had to decide on one from each category. We were looking for a strong business model, passion for their business, and that special ‘something’ that made the winners stand out from the rest.
The Small Business of the Year was won by Amelia Horne, from Derby, who ran a home-cooking-to-take-home shop. Her marketing skills were outstanding and her passion for what she did was inspiring. She was a very worthy winner and hopefully, in time, she will be able to roll out her business into further outlets because her concept was replicable.
The Most Innovative Business Award was won by Babybond Ltd which is run by Jan Steward, a radiographer who was frustrated by the short time available to expectant parents to participate in ultrasound scans that were available on the NHS. Instead of having to be part of a hastened-through 10 minute production line, Jan saw an opportunity to allow parents-to-be to be able to enjoy a relaxed, 40 minute bonding process with the unborn baby – and the clients lapped it up. Her company has grown and grown to a franchise with 32 outlets, with plans to incorporate other scans for health checks. The business is impressive and very different.
Our Business Woman of the Year Award was given to Debbie Bass for her business Sugar and Ice. Debbie is a cake decorator by hobby, passion and inspiration. She has created two shops where visitors can see Debbie and her team in action, can buy every accessory known to man to help you decorate your own cakes, she runs cake decorating training courses and she has a great supply business by cross selling other products. Debbie has turned her hobby into a business and there is nothing better than to earn a living by doing what you love best.
A Special Achievement Award was given to Stephanie Drakes of 23red, a marketing agency, as Stephanie had achieved so much in her long career in the PR, marketing and advertising sector and, over the years, she has taught and inspired many who have worked with her.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Maureen Milgram Forrest Who has devoted many years to promoting women in business. Maureen is now retiring to Canada and deserves recognition for her tireless efforts.
All of these Award winners have found a way of turning their hobby into a business and there is nothing better. In my keynote speech I finished by saying that ‘Success is ....having fun!’. I have had fun throughout the 38 years I have been in my business. Our 172 franchisees who run Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs are doing what they do best – teaching exercise and helping their members to lose weight. It’s a privilege, it’s rewarding and it’s enormous fun. Checkout our website www.rosemaryconley.com if you want to know more about how you might have fun too.
Every one of the finalists deserved to be a winner but we had to decide on one from each category. We were looking for a strong business model, passion for their business, and that special ‘something’ that made the winners stand out from the rest.
The Small Business of the Year was won by Amelia Horne, from Derby, who ran a home-cooking-to-take-home shop. Her marketing skills were outstanding and her passion for what she did was inspiring. She was a very worthy winner and hopefully, in time, she will be able to roll out her business into further outlets because her concept was replicable.
The Most Innovative Business Award was won by Babybond Ltd which is run by Jan Steward, a radiographer who was frustrated by the short time available to expectant parents to participate in ultrasound scans that were available on the NHS. Instead of having to be part of a hastened-through 10 minute production line, Jan saw an opportunity to allow parents-to-be to be able to enjoy a relaxed, 40 minute bonding process with the unborn baby – and the clients lapped it up. Her company has grown and grown to a franchise with 32 outlets, with plans to incorporate other scans for health checks. The business is impressive and very different.
Our Business Woman of the Year Award was given to Debbie Bass for her business Sugar and Ice. Debbie is a cake decorator by hobby, passion and inspiration. She has created two shops where visitors can see Debbie and her team in action, can buy every accessory known to man to help you decorate your own cakes, she runs cake decorating training courses and she has a great supply business by cross selling other products. Debbie has turned her hobby into a business and there is nothing better than to earn a living by doing what you love best.
A Special Achievement Award was given to Stephanie Drakes of 23red, a marketing agency, as Stephanie had achieved so much in her long career in the PR, marketing and advertising sector and, over the years, she has taught and inspired many who have worked with her.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Maureen Milgram Forrest Who has devoted many years to promoting women in business. Maureen is now retiring to Canada and deserves recognition for her tireless efforts.
All of these Award winners have found a way of turning their hobby into a business and there is nothing better. In my keynote speech I finished by saying that ‘Success is ....having fun!’. I have had fun throughout the 38 years I have been in my business. Our 172 franchisees who run Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs are doing what they do best – teaching exercise and helping their members to lose weight. It’s a privilege, it’s rewarding and it’s enormous fun. Checkout our website www.rosemaryconley.com if you want to know more about how you might have fun too.
Monday 1 March 2010
So much to do!
This is going to be a really heavy week but it will be fun - as my weeks usually are.
I have been asked to be an Ambassador for, and to get involved in, an initiative to help the folk of Leicestershire, Leicester City and Rutland to get more active and tomorrow I meet with representatives of up to 23 different areas of health to discuss progress. It is very different for me to be working with loads of local government departments rather than our own business where we just make instant decisions and get on with things. I'm having fun learning how it all works and let's hope we can make progress. So far, so good!
Iím looking forward to Tuesday as Professor Raj Persaud is coming to Quorn to our TV studios to record lots of discussions on the psychological aspect of trying to lose weight and become fitter for our internet television channel, www.rosemaryconley.tv. I love working alongside Raj. He is one of the most fascinating people I've ever met.
On Thursday I am speaking at the East Midlands Business Women's Conference and presenting the Women of Worth Awards. It was a real privilege to be involved in judging the awards and recognising the very special women who will take away such accolades. From there, I'm being driven down to Yeovil ready for our South West Roadshow which is happening on Friday. Around 200 lovely ladies and maybe some men will come along for a day of exercise and education with a good load of motivation thrown in. They are always fun and the weight losses achieved the next week by those who attend is reward enough for making the effort on my part. My wonderful colleague Mary Morris shares the stage with me on these days and always entertains and inspires.
Then on Sunday, wearing my President of Leicestershire Young Enterprise 'hat', I will visit the open market which will be held in the Highcross Shopping Centre in Leicester to visit the stalls of the inspirational young students who have created a Young Enterprise company this year and will be selling their products. It is always immensely rewarding and I'm grateful that this year the market is held indoors and not in the street as previously!
For some extra fitness in your day why not try my daily fitness challenge which I try and post on Twitter at around 8 pm each evening. It will he later tomorrow as I teach my classes on a Monday and I don't finish until around 8.30pm
Have a good week!
I have been asked to be an Ambassador for, and to get involved in, an initiative to help the folk of Leicestershire, Leicester City and Rutland to get more active and tomorrow I meet with representatives of up to 23 different areas of health to discuss progress. It is very different for me to be working with loads of local government departments rather than our own business where we just make instant decisions and get on with things. I'm having fun learning how it all works and let's hope we can make progress. So far, so good!
Iím looking forward to Tuesday as Professor Raj Persaud is coming to Quorn to our TV studios to record lots of discussions on the psychological aspect of trying to lose weight and become fitter for our internet television channel, www.rosemaryconley.tv. I love working alongside Raj. He is one of the most fascinating people I've ever met.
On Thursday I am speaking at the East Midlands Business Women's Conference and presenting the Women of Worth Awards. It was a real privilege to be involved in judging the awards and recognising the very special women who will take away such accolades. From there, I'm being driven down to Yeovil ready for our South West Roadshow which is happening on Friday. Around 200 lovely ladies and maybe some men will come along for a day of exercise and education with a good load of motivation thrown in. They are always fun and the weight losses achieved the next week by those who attend is reward enough for making the effort on my part. My wonderful colleague Mary Morris shares the stage with me on these days and always entertains and inspires.
Then on Sunday, wearing my President of Leicestershire Young Enterprise 'hat', I will visit the open market which will be held in the Highcross Shopping Centre in Leicester to visit the stalls of the inspirational young students who have created a Young Enterprise company this year and will be selling their products. It is always immensely rewarding and I'm grateful that this year the market is held indoors and not in the street as previously!
For some extra fitness in your day why not try my daily fitness challenge which I try and post on Twitter at around 8 pm each evening. It will he later tomorrow as I teach my classes on a Monday and I don't finish until around 8.30pm
Have a good week!
Monday 22 February 2010
Patience, patience!
For those of you following my blogs and on Twitter you will be aware that I have been trying to shed a few of my own pounds – along with the rest of the nation at this time of the year. The crunch came when I couldn’t button up my Guess jeans – the ones I wore in the photograph used on the front of my Gi Jeans Diet book in 2006. Because they then fitted me so well, I saved them to be worn on only special occasions which is why I was very cross with myself that I had allowed myself to gain weight over recent months.
So, a month ago, upon arriving back from our skiing holiday – during which I had lost a pound – I made a definite pledge. These few pounds must go and I measured myself with my Magic Measure and vowed to try to do some exercise every day. I also cut back on my wine, I stopped the treats, and I changed to porridge for breakfast (a blue Portion Pot-full). I have really tried and it’s worked.
I have lost two inches off my waist, and over an inch from my hips and widest part. Having a quick check with my Magic Measure every few days was brilliantly motivational and really kept me focussed.
This morning I ventured into the jeans once again. They fitted and without a muffin top. I cannot tell you how good that felt!
So, if you’re trying to drop a dress size or get into that special item of clothing, just keep focussed and be patient. It doesn’t matter how many weeks it takes, but just do it.
Remember, dieting with others is easier and more effective so check out http://www.rosemaryconley.com/content/slim-at-classes/rosemary-conley-classes.htm for details of our classes near you.
So, a month ago, upon arriving back from our skiing holiday – during which I had lost a pound – I made a definite pledge. These few pounds must go and I measured myself with my Magic Measure and vowed to try to do some exercise every day. I also cut back on my wine, I stopped the treats, and I changed to porridge for breakfast (a blue Portion Pot-full). I have really tried and it’s worked.
I have lost two inches off my waist, and over an inch from my hips and widest part. Having a quick check with my Magic Measure every few days was brilliantly motivational and really kept me focussed.
This morning I ventured into the jeans once again. They fitted and without a muffin top. I cannot tell you how good that felt!
So, if you’re trying to drop a dress size or get into that special item of clothing, just keep focussed and be patient. It doesn’t matter how many weeks it takes, but just do it.
Remember, dieting with others is easier and more effective so check out http://www.rosemaryconley.com/content/slim-at-classes/rosemary-conley-classes.htm for details of our classes near you.
Monday 15 February 2010
An interesting week!
Last week Mike was away skiing with his friends which meant that I could attack all sorts of jobs that I normally wouldn’t have time to do. Along with every other working wife in the country, I feel guilty about doing jobs when we need to spend quality time together so if hubby’s away, then I can work till whatever time I like with a clear conscience.
In addition to completing lots of household jobs I was able to go out with friends to see Strictly Come Dancing – the live tour - in Nottingham on one evening and fly to Dublin to do a mini publicity tour the next day. Our friend house-dog-and mother-in-law-sits, so everything is well covered. The main reason I visited Dublin was to appear on their TV3 channel which is the Irish equivalent of GMTV. They are always charming, welcoming and give me a decent slot to talk about my latest book and DVD as well as our internet TV channel – www.rosemaryconley.tv. If one wants to sell one’s book, DVD and attract viewers on to the new site, then publicity is a must.
After appearing on TV3 I was then whisked off to a radio station to record an ‘as-live’ interview for transmission on Saturday. The presenter was great and the fact that he had already logged on and watched rosemaryconley.tv was a real bonus. And the fact that he commented on how high the production quality appeared was particularly gratifying. Press interviews with the Irish Sun back at the hotel, the Irish News of the World in the taxi to the airport and a women’s magazine at the airport as I arrived in Birmingham meant that I really had used every available minute.
After a quick change at home it was then back to the office to do some writing for my magazine which is fast approaching its deadline and then it was off to Steps, the Leicestershire charity of which I am Patron and a Trustee, for our monthly Trustees meeting in the evening. We’re organising a black tie dinner and fundraising event in June as well as Music in the Meadow in August to raise much needed funds to keep the school going. We have a great team and I love what Steps does and what we are able to achieve as a dedicated and positive group of Trustees.
It made my day when I Twittered about Steps and a professional artist offered to paint a portrait as an Auction prize. We already have an England Rugby shirt signed by all the team of 2009 to auction at the dinner.
I had an early radio interview to do on Friday morning and then meetings through the day but at the end of the day, I felt I had achieved a huge amount. But perhaps the highlight of the week was the fact that a journalist on the South coast had decided to put herself on my Amazing Inch Loss Plan and write about it. And at the end of the 28 days – yes, she’d lost a stone! Wonderful!
It’s lovely now to have Mike back, safe and sound if full of cold. Life is back to normal and next week will be a little easier. Life is very good.
Learn more about my Amazing Inch Loss Plan by logging on to www.rosemaryconley.tv or visit http://www.rosemaryconley.com
In addition to completing lots of household jobs I was able to go out with friends to see Strictly Come Dancing – the live tour - in Nottingham on one evening and fly to Dublin to do a mini publicity tour the next day. Our friend house-dog-and mother-in-law-sits, so everything is well covered. The main reason I visited Dublin was to appear on their TV3 channel which is the Irish equivalent of GMTV. They are always charming, welcoming and give me a decent slot to talk about my latest book and DVD as well as our internet TV channel – www.rosemaryconley.tv. If one wants to sell one’s book, DVD and attract viewers on to the new site, then publicity is a must.
After appearing on TV3 I was then whisked off to a radio station to record an ‘as-live’ interview for transmission on Saturday. The presenter was great and the fact that he had already logged on and watched rosemaryconley.tv was a real bonus. And the fact that he commented on how high the production quality appeared was particularly gratifying. Press interviews with the Irish Sun back at the hotel, the Irish News of the World in the taxi to the airport and a women’s magazine at the airport as I arrived in Birmingham meant that I really had used every available minute.
After a quick change at home it was then back to the office to do some writing for my magazine which is fast approaching its deadline and then it was off to Steps, the Leicestershire charity of which I am Patron and a Trustee, for our monthly Trustees meeting in the evening. We’re organising a black tie dinner and fundraising event in June as well as Music in the Meadow in August to raise much needed funds to keep the school going. We have a great team and I love what Steps does and what we are able to achieve as a dedicated and positive group of Trustees.
It made my day when I Twittered about Steps and a professional artist offered to paint a portrait as an Auction prize. We already have an England Rugby shirt signed by all the team of 2009 to auction at the dinner.
I had an early radio interview to do on Friday morning and then meetings through the day but at the end of the day, I felt I had achieved a huge amount. But perhaps the highlight of the week was the fact that a journalist on the South coast had decided to put herself on my Amazing Inch Loss Plan and write about it. And at the end of the 28 days – yes, she’d lost a stone! Wonderful!
It’s lovely now to have Mike back, safe and sound if full of cold. Life is back to normal and next week will be a little easier. Life is very good.
Learn more about my Amazing Inch Loss Plan by logging on to www.rosemaryconley.tv or visit http://www.rosemaryconley.com
Tuesday 9 February 2010
The weight losses continue!
I’ve just completed the first month of classes with my new members following my Amazing Inch Loss Plan. It is exciting to see the pounds falling away and I can honestly say that I have never given out so many half-stone and one stone certificates of weight loss as I have in the last couple of weeks nor have I ever had so many new members join my classes.
One of my members lost 1st 1 lb in 3 weeks. She’s now lost a total of 1st 6 lbs in 5 weeks! Two members received their 1 stone certificate after four weeks and many others are teetering on the edge of losing a stone in the month. Tonight I gave out eight half-stone certificates, some to folk who had lost that much in just one week!
Last week the weight losses were not as dramatic so I gave a talk on the importance of activity and exercise. This week they had exercised in all kinds of ways and it was working brilliantly. Their faces were a picture and they are now so fired up to carry on with their diets.
My own weight-loss campaign is progressing well. I haven’t been on the scales but I have lost almost two inches from my waist, (according to my Magic Measure) and my clothes are feeling significantly looser. And yes, I’ve been exercising too.
Waise, our lurcher/whippet-cross dog, has enjoyed more brisk walks than usual and yesterday, when I was walking along the main street back to our house a neighbour commented ‘Golly, you’re stepping it out aren’t you!’ and yes I was, I wanted to maximise my fat-burning power.
Every morning I’ve been doing my Express Abs workout from my Real Results DVD. It is so quick and effective and no trouble just to do those four minutes of concentrated exercises. I feel I’m holding my stomach in better as a result too.
So, if you want to see a difference, stick to the diet, go to classes, use your Magic Measure and get exercising as much as possible. You know it makes sense.
Visit www.rosemaryconley.com or www.rosemaryconley.tv for more information and help.
One of my members lost 1st 1 lb in 3 weeks. She’s now lost a total of 1st 6 lbs in 5 weeks! Two members received their 1 stone certificate after four weeks and many others are teetering on the edge of losing a stone in the month. Tonight I gave out eight half-stone certificates, some to folk who had lost that much in just one week!
Last week the weight losses were not as dramatic so I gave a talk on the importance of activity and exercise. This week they had exercised in all kinds of ways and it was working brilliantly. Their faces were a picture and they are now so fired up to carry on with their diets.
My own weight-loss campaign is progressing well. I haven’t been on the scales but I have lost almost two inches from my waist, (according to my Magic Measure) and my clothes are feeling significantly looser. And yes, I’ve been exercising too.
Waise, our lurcher/whippet-cross dog, has enjoyed more brisk walks than usual and yesterday, when I was walking along the main street back to our house a neighbour commented ‘Golly, you’re stepping it out aren’t you!’ and yes I was, I wanted to maximise my fat-burning power.
Every morning I’ve been doing my Express Abs workout from my Real Results DVD. It is so quick and effective and no trouble just to do those four minutes of concentrated exercises. I feel I’m holding my stomach in better as a result too.
So, if you want to see a difference, stick to the diet, go to classes, use your Magic Measure and get exercising as much as possible. You know it makes sense.
Visit www.rosemaryconley.com or www.rosemaryconley.tv for more information and help.
Wednesday 3 February 2010
Take a look at the diet trialists
This week we have uploaded the initial weigh-in day of my Trial Dieters on www.rosemaryconley.tv.
Last May the first group of dieters came to Quorn House to be weighed in and measured. They were interviewed too and you can see the sense of fear and trepidation in their body language as they embarked on this weight-loss challenge. Men and women alike were given a 1200 calories a day diet sheet and they were given the option of either following the high protein version or the high carbohydrate one. The choice was theirs. They were also asked to exercise almost every day.
I told them that the challenge was to see if they could lose a stone in a month and they were very willing to give it a try. After all, they had nothing to lose but their weight and inches.
On the day they came to Quorn I had lost my voice, had flu and felt and looked dreadful. The second day of the weigh-in I didn’t even make it as I had to stay in bed. Fortunately, my wonderful team were able to carry on without me and in two days 50 people had been filmed and sent away with their diet and fitness plan.
A month on they were all back. Their total weight loss was an incredible 50 stone in the month and I had achieve the goal I wanted. To prove that you could lose a stone in a month whilst eating three healthy meals a day, power snacks, and ¾ pint of milk coupled with regular exercise. I then put it all in a book and my Amazing Inch Loss Plan is the result.
It is great to see the dieters’ response, one month on, and to have it captured on film. For me it is the icing on the cake because I had forgotten what they looked like at the beginning of the Trial. And I know how brilliant they look today!
Please watch this new programme on rosemaryconley.tv. It really is inspiring. Just log on to www.rosemaryconley.tv
Last May the first group of dieters came to Quorn House to be weighed in and measured. They were interviewed too and you can see the sense of fear and trepidation in their body language as they embarked on this weight-loss challenge. Men and women alike were given a 1200 calories a day diet sheet and they were given the option of either following the high protein version or the high carbohydrate one. The choice was theirs. They were also asked to exercise almost every day.
I told them that the challenge was to see if they could lose a stone in a month and they were very willing to give it a try. After all, they had nothing to lose but their weight and inches.
On the day they came to Quorn I had lost my voice, had flu and felt and looked dreadful. The second day of the weigh-in I didn’t even make it as I had to stay in bed. Fortunately, my wonderful team were able to carry on without me and in two days 50 people had been filmed and sent away with their diet and fitness plan.
A month on they were all back. Their total weight loss was an incredible 50 stone in the month and I had achieve the goal I wanted. To prove that you could lose a stone in a month whilst eating three healthy meals a day, power snacks, and ¾ pint of milk coupled with regular exercise. I then put it all in a book and my Amazing Inch Loss Plan is the result.
It is great to see the dieters’ response, one month on, and to have it captured on film. For me it is the icing on the cake because I had forgotten what they looked like at the beginning of the Trial. And I know how brilliant they look today!
Please watch this new programme on rosemaryconley.tv. It really is inspiring. Just log on to www.rosemaryconley.tv
Monday 1 February 2010
The Magic Measure is Magic!
As I explained a couple of weeks ago, I would rather go by the fit of my clothes than weighing myself on the scales everyday, which I think is counterproductive, but I want to lose about 3 lbs so that I can get back into my Gi Jeans which currently are just too tight!
Upon returning from our skiing holiday, and having lost 1lb whilst away, I wanted to keep up the momentum so on Monday last I measured myself with my Magic Measure. The permanent ‘start’ clips are on and today was my first measuring day. One week on, I am delighted to report that I have lost an inch from around my waist, and one inch from around my hips. Bust and widest part have only shrunk very slightly so I didn’t pin on the temporary, removable, tags. But the great thing is that there is absolutely no doubt that I have lost some inches. It is incredibly motivational to see the evidence right there in my hands in the form of the Magic Measure.
When you join Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs you automatically receive a Magic Measure in your New Member’s Pack or you can buy one for £3.99 from www.rosemaryconley.com. If you want to see a demonstration of how it works, go to www.rosemaryconley.tv. I think it is the most motivational tool ever.
Upon returning from our skiing holiday, and having lost 1lb whilst away, I wanted to keep up the momentum so on Monday last I measured myself with my Magic Measure. The permanent ‘start’ clips are on and today was my first measuring day. One week on, I am delighted to report that I have lost an inch from around my waist, and one inch from around my hips. Bust and widest part have only shrunk very slightly so I didn’t pin on the temporary, removable, tags. But the great thing is that there is absolutely no doubt that I have lost some inches. It is incredibly motivational to see the evidence right there in my hands in the form of the Magic Measure.
When you join Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs you automatically receive a Magic Measure in your New Member’s Pack or you can buy one for £3.99 from www.rosemaryconley.com. If you want to see a demonstration of how it works, go to www.rosemaryconley.tv. I think it is the most motivational tool ever.
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