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!

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!

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!

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!