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!
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Monday, 1 March 2010
Monday, 13 July 2009
Back home safe and sound!
Friday was the last full day of our holiday and my holidaymakers took a chair lift up a mountain, walked down to a hut for lunch and then relaxed in the afternoon ready for our final evening’s activity – the big Awards Ceremony.
Everyone on the holiday wins an award, from Slimmer of the Week to who caught the biggest fish when we went trout fishing. There were Bravery Awards for those scared of heights but who still made it in the cable car or a chair lift, Perseverance Awards, Awards for performances at the Concert, and so on. Everyone wins prizes and a jolly time is had by all and everyone is looking forward to next year. I do not know of any holiday that creates so much ‘good’ in people and where friendships are forged and barriers are broken down. It is unique and wonderful.
On Saturday we travelled back to Zurich by coach. To have 39 women arriving at an airport together, but dividing up to go to three different destinations, Manchester, Birmingham and Heathrow, takes some organising but, with the help of one of the guests and our holiday administrator, all of us had been checked in ‘on line’ the previous evening which meant that we could be issued with boarding passes and luggage labels as a group. The big bonus of doing it this way was that our cases weren’t weighed which was a miracle. Normally we have a real struggle with excess baggage as Swiss are so strict. Great result!
So, why does this holiday work so well for folk:
Almost everyone lost weight – one gained ½ lb, two stayed the same but everyone else lost. Our Slimmer of the Week lost 6.8 lbs, 2nd 6.6 lbs, 3rd 6.0 lbs. And that was after eating a very substantial breakfast, a variety of lunches and a four-course dinner each evening – plus alcohol (though Pat, who came 2nd, had not drunk throughout the week and lost 6.6 lbs). But most of the food was low-fat and that certainly helped to keep the calories down.
This was an activity holiday. There were at least two walks a day totalling around three hours in total. On top of that we had three aerobic/toning workouts for 45 minutes.
We had little time to sit down and do nothing. If we weren’t changing clothes for the next activity we were rehearsing for the concert or getting organised for our next activity.
There was plenty of tuition in the form of ‘talks’, and therefore understanding of how to lose weight and become fitter. When you hear it and then do it, it helps.
We were in it together. The group dynamics helped enormously and everyone was encouraging each other, being interested in one another’s situations back home. It was great therapy for everyone.
And everyone was rewarded. Whether it was on the scales, in the Awards, or just feeling fitter and healthier, we all felt better for our week - even the three of us who ran it. Whilst we are constantly on the go, to see the transformations of the guests over the week is hugely gratifying which is why we do it again, year after year.
I am very much aware that this holiday is not an option for many folks reading this but you can still benefit from the education, exercise classes, support and group activity by joining one of our classes. Many of our holidaymakers are members of Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs or rosemaryconleyonline. Check out our website if you need some help and support. That’s what we’re here for. www.rosemaryconley.com.
No one can put a value on feeling fit and healthy. It really is worth making an effort today.
Everyone on the holiday wins an award, from Slimmer of the Week to who caught the biggest fish when we went trout fishing. There were Bravery Awards for those scared of heights but who still made it in the cable car or a chair lift, Perseverance Awards, Awards for performances at the Concert, and so on. Everyone wins prizes and a jolly time is had by all and everyone is looking forward to next year. I do not know of any holiday that creates so much ‘good’ in people and where friendships are forged and barriers are broken down. It is unique and wonderful.
On Saturday we travelled back to Zurich by coach. To have 39 women arriving at an airport together, but dividing up to go to three different destinations, Manchester, Birmingham and Heathrow, takes some organising but, with the help of one of the guests and our holiday administrator, all of us had been checked in ‘on line’ the previous evening which meant that we could be issued with boarding passes and luggage labels as a group. The big bonus of doing it this way was that our cases weren’t weighed which was a miracle. Normally we have a real struggle with excess baggage as Swiss are so strict. Great result!
So, why does this holiday work so well for folk:
Almost everyone lost weight – one gained ½ lb, two stayed the same but everyone else lost. Our Slimmer of the Week lost 6.8 lbs, 2nd 6.6 lbs, 3rd 6.0 lbs. And that was after eating a very substantial breakfast, a variety of lunches and a four-course dinner each evening – plus alcohol (though Pat, who came 2nd, had not drunk throughout the week and lost 6.6 lbs). But most of the food was low-fat and that certainly helped to keep the calories down.
This was an activity holiday. There were at least two walks a day totalling around three hours in total. On top of that we had three aerobic/toning workouts for 45 minutes.
We had little time to sit down and do nothing. If we weren’t changing clothes for the next activity we were rehearsing for the concert or getting organised for our next activity.
There was plenty of tuition in the form of ‘talks’, and therefore understanding of how to lose weight and become fitter. When you hear it and then do it, it helps.
We were in it together. The group dynamics helped enormously and everyone was encouraging each other, being interested in one another’s situations back home. It was great therapy for everyone.
And everyone was rewarded. Whether it was on the scales, in the Awards, or just feeling fitter and healthier, we all felt better for our week - even the three of us who ran it. Whilst we are constantly on the go, to see the transformations of the guests over the week is hugely gratifying which is why we do it again, year after year.
I am very much aware that this holiday is not an option for many folks reading this but you can still benefit from the education, exercise classes, support and group activity by joining one of our classes. Many of our holidaymakers are members of Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs or rosemaryconleyonline. Check out our website if you need some help and support. That’s what we’re here for. www.rosemaryconley.com.
No one can put a value on feeling fit and healthy. It really is worth making an effort today.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Why I love the sunshine!
Today looks as though it is going to be a sunny day. That’s good for all of us because it lifts our spirits and makes us want to go outside, cycle to work, walk the children to school instead of driving them, do some jobs in the garden, wash the paintwork down – anything that enables us to be in the warmth of the sun yet putting our time to good use. Great! We can get a bit fitter without having to find time to actually do a ‘fitness programme’ as such.
As some of you will know, over the last few weeks I have started taking ice skating lessons. It’s hard work but I love every single second that I am on the ice with my coach, Karen, who is so patient, encouraging and a brilliant teacher. I’ve had eight lessons with her so far and she gives me ‘home work’ which involves practising moves on the floor, (usually in my bathroom), where I am training my brain to help my feet and balance go a certain way, and in unison! It is a strange sight to see but a very worthwhile exercise as by practising on carpet and bare feet I am developing my neuro-muscular pathways to learn the moves so that I can do them more easily.
Our neuro-muscular pathways are created in our brain when we learn a pattern of doing a certain task – changing gear in our car, lifting one leg in front of the other when we go upstairs for instance. Over time those activities become completely automatic and that’s what I’m working on with my feet and my balance in the bathroom. It’s really hard to learn the different moves in skating, not helped by the fact that when you are skating you are moving around on sheet ice and you are balancing on a blade that is just one millimetre wide! But it’s coming and I’m learning and progressing with every lesson. I’ve even become more confident about falling and can get up again without any effort. That is, in fact, a really big deal! Yesterday I fell four times and twisted my knee, bashed my wrist, fell hard on my back and later hurt by thumb – but it’s all fine. Nothing that won’t mend in a couple of days and as my coach said, ‘it’s good to fall, because you learn more that way’. Excellent! I suppose I should be looking forward to falling lots more!
We all need to be aware that our neuro muscular pathways need to be worked on. Practise makes perfect. Whether you’re a golfer who lifts their head up when they shouldn’t, a tennis player who rushes the shot each time or a member of newly joins one of our classes and struggles a bit the first time they do the exercise routine, by learning the right way, practising regularly, and persevering, our brain and our body quickly learns what to do. That is what is so encouraging. It only gets easier with practise. As we become more proficient, we can become more ambitious, play better, exercise in a class at the higher level, perform more difficult moves on the ice rink! It is that progression and improvement that stimulates us and encourages us to continue. The better at it that we become, the more likely we are to carry on in to the long term. That must be our goal.
If you are thinking about joining one of our Diet and Fitness classes and you’re scared witless that you are going to be un-coordinated when you exercise, why not start off by getting one of my fitness DVDs and learn a few of the basic moves first. They are easy to follow and they all include similar moves to those that are taught in our classes. All of our class instructors are trained to the highest level and they can cope with people of all fitness levels and abilities so don’t worry, you will never be made to feel embarrassed. But it could just be that fitness challenge you have been waiting for. Check out our website for details of my DVDs and our classes.
As some of you will know, over the last few weeks I have started taking ice skating lessons. It’s hard work but I love every single second that I am on the ice with my coach, Karen, who is so patient, encouraging and a brilliant teacher. I’ve had eight lessons with her so far and she gives me ‘home work’ which involves practising moves on the floor, (usually in my bathroom), where I am training my brain to help my feet and balance go a certain way, and in unison! It is a strange sight to see but a very worthwhile exercise as by practising on carpet and bare feet I am developing my neuro-muscular pathways to learn the moves so that I can do them more easily.
Our neuro-muscular pathways are created in our brain when we learn a pattern of doing a certain task – changing gear in our car, lifting one leg in front of the other when we go upstairs for instance. Over time those activities become completely automatic and that’s what I’m working on with my feet and my balance in the bathroom. It’s really hard to learn the different moves in skating, not helped by the fact that when you are skating you are moving around on sheet ice and you are balancing on a blade that is just one millimetre wide! But it’s coming and I’m learning and progressing with every lesson. I’ve even become more confident about falling and can get up again without any effort. That is, in fact, a really big deal! Yesterday I fell four times and twisted my knee, bashed my wrist, fell hard on my back and later hurt by thumb – but it’s all fine. Nothing that won’t mend in a couple of days and as my coach said, ‘it’s good to fall, because you learn more that way’. Excellent! I suppose I should be looking forward to falling lots more!
We all need to be aware that our neuro muscular pathways need to be worked on. Practise makes perfect. Whether you’re a golfer who lifts their head up when they shouldn’t, a tennis player who rushes the shot each time or a member of newly joins one of our classes and struggles a bit the first time they do the exercise routine, by learning the right way, practising regularly, and persevering, our brain and our body quickly learns what to do. That is what is so encouraging. It only gets easier with practise. As we become more proficient, we can become more ambitious, play better, exercise in a class at the higher level, perform more difficult moves on the ice rink! It is that progression and improvement that stimulates us and encourages us to continue. The better at it that we become, the more likely we are to carry on in to the long term. That must be our goal.
If you are thinking about joining one of our Diet and Fitness classes and you’re scared witless that you are going to be un-coordinated when you exercise, why not start off by getting one of my fitness DVDs and learn a few of the basic moves first. They are easy to follow and they all include similar moves to those that are taught in our classes. All of our class instructors are trained to the highest level and they can cope with people of all fitness levels and abilities so don’t worry, you will never be made to feel embarrassed. But it could just be that fitness challenge you have been waiting for. Check out our website for details of my DVDs and our classes.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Has Britain really got talent?
I have to admit that this is the first year I have watched Britain’s Got Talent. And the reason I watched it is simply because, quite by chance, I happened to be watching the programme six weeks ago when Susan Boyle walked on to the stage and sang unbelieveably beautifully. I talked about it at my classes, I made my colleagues watch her on YouTube in the office and every time I watched her sing ‘I Have a Dream’ from Les Miserables, I cried.
I obviously wasn’t alone. That performance has been watched over 100 million times on You Tube. Our lives have been enhanced by Susan’s innocent but beautiful performance.
On Sunday, she had us all on the edge of our seats as we felt the weight of the world’s expectation upon her. She faultered on her second note and we learned later that she had had a cold last week. But her brave and powerful rendition of a difficult song won her a worthy place in Saturday’s final and Susan certainly has set this year’s standard at a very high level.
Whilst Susan’s performance has shocked the nation in a beautifully, positive way, there has been another more surprising side. I am amazed at the very overweight folk who are perfectly happy to flaunt their flab in front of around 14 million folk. But perhaps this is a good thing. Many folk are in denial as to their size and maybe we needed to see what being seriously overweight really looks like. So when Piers Morgan, having just watched a vastly stomached drag queen perform on Monday evening, said that he would be off to the gym the next day, I think he was speaking for a great number of the male population. Let’s hope it worked as a prompt for all of us to eat less and do more!
But let’s look on the positive side. There have been some brilliant dance acts – Diversity and Flawless to name just two who have reached the final, and MD Showgroup ,who are youth campaigners as well as dancers, but who, sadly for them, didn’t get through from last night’s show. But how fantastic to see young folk of today being creative, active, dancing, working as a team and being focussed on a goal. Everyone who has participated will have worked their socks off and, as with all challenges, you win some and you lose some but I really hope that all of these youth dance groups will carry on setting an example to the youth of today. Let’s hope the media will be creating some positive headlines in the press, promoting the fact that young people can have fun keeping fit and entertained without resorting to crime.
And the shock of last evening’s show was the fact that Stavros Flatley, a Greek-style Riverdance parody performed by a 41-year-old dad and his 12-year-old son were voted straight through to the final. I do not believe that they earned the viewers’ vote because of their dancing skills. But when ‘dad’, Demetrios Demetriou, publicly thanked his son for inviting him to dance with him and tearfully explained to the nation that their relationship had blossomed as a result, I think a little tear must have filled a lot of eyes across the land and I bet there were more male voters last night than ever. We should not underestimate the value of ‘doing things together’ as families, helping family members to bond and get to know each other better. That is exactly why we have launched Kids 2 which are health and fitness courses for parents and children. The emotional and practical results are priceless. If we don’t have a Kids 2 course running near you yet, you could contact your local Rosemary Conley franchisee (please enter your postode to find your nearest franchise) and register your interest.
I obviously wasn’t alone. That performance has been watched over 100 million times on You Tube. Our lives have been enhanced by Susan’s innocent but beautiful performance.
On Sunday, she had us all on the edge of our seats as we felt the weight of the world’s expectation upon her. She faultered on her second note and we learned later that she had had a cold last week. But her brave and powerful rendition of a difficult song won her a worthy place in Saturday’s final and Susan certainly has set this year’s standard at a very high level.
Whilst Susan’s performance has shocked the nation in a beautifully, positive way, there has been another more surprising side. I am amazed at the very overweight folk who are perfectly happy to flaunt their flab in front of around 14 million folk. But perhaps this is a good thing. Many folk are in denial as to their size and maybe we needed to see what being seriously overweight really looks like. So when Piers Morgan, having just watched a vastly stomached drag queen perform on Monday evening, said that he would be off to the gym the next day, I think he was speaking for a great number of the male population. Let’s hope it worked as a prompt for all of us to eat less and do more!
But let’s look on the positive side. There have been some brilliant dance acts – Diversity and Flawless to name just two who have reached the final, and MD Showgroup ,who are youth campaigners as well as dancers, but who, sadly for them, didn’t get through from last night’s show. But how fantastic to see young folk of today being creative, active, dancing, working as a team and being focussed on a goal. Everyone who has participated will have worked their socks off and, as with all challenges, you win some and you lose some but I really hope that all of these youth dance groups will carry on setting an example to the youth of today. Let’s hope the media will be creating some positive headlines in the press, promoting the fact that young people can have fun keeping fit and entertained without resorting to crime.
And the shock of last evening’s show was the fact that Stavros Flatley, a Greek-style Riverdance parody performed by a 41-year-old dad and his 12-year-old son were voted straight through to the final. I do not believe that they earned the viewers’ vote because of their dancing skills. But when ‘dad’, Demetrios Demetriou, publicly thanked his son for inviting him to dance with him and tearfully explained to the nation that their relationship had blossomed as a result, I think a little tear must have filled a lot of eyes across the land and I bet there were more male voters last night than ever. We should not underestimate the value of ‘doing things together’ as families, helping family members to bond and get to know each other better. That is exactly why we have launched Kids 2 which are health and fitness courses for parents and children. The emotional and practical results are priceless. If we don’t have a Kids 2 course running near you yet, you could contact your local Rosemary Conley franchisee (please enter your postode to find your nearest franchise) and register your interest.
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Fair weather fitness? - get active and beat the cold and rain!
The last couple of weeks of sunshine have lifted our spirits after a long and colder than usual winter. The sun encourages us to get on our bikes, go for a walk, get in the garden and generally get active. But now the sun has gone in and it has turned chilly again and the inclination is to stay in and do less. This is really bad news for our health and our fitness. There is no doubt, activity is a pleasure when you feel the sun on your back.
But activity needs to be regular if we are to see real benefits to our health and fitness and we need to develop a few good habits. They don’t need to be revolutionary. Just small changes that can make a big difference when we add them all up together. For instance, make a rule not to leave things on the bottom step of the stairs – take them up every time. All that stair-walking burns extra calories and tones up your bum. Park your car at the far end of the car park and walk further. If you wear a pedometer you will be amazed how these extra steps mount up and it will really encourage you. Climb the stairs rather than take the lift – even if you can’t manage all of the floors if you are going up a long way, you can always take the lift for the final bit when you’ve gone as far as you can. And rather than send an email to your colleague two desks away, walk over and ask the question.
We all need motivation and a pedometer will help you to find it. Just being conscious that every step you take clocks up on this little gadget so you can see how many steps you have taken in a day is so enlightening. I promise wearing one will make you move more. If you move more, you burn extra calories. When you burn extra calories, you help yourself lose your weight. So, search for that pedometer that you have knocking around in a drawer somewhere or treat yourself to a new one. Choose a simple one as it is off-putting if you have to spend half an hour setting it up. We have a great one that’s dead simple to operate. Just check out our web shop for details.
I know it’s colder today, but don’t use that as an excuse not to become more active.
But activity needs to be regular if we are to see real benefits to our health and fitness and we need to develop a few good habits. They don’t need to be revolutionary. Just small changes that can make a big difference when we add them all up together. For instance, make a rule not to leave things on the bottom step of the stairs – take them up every time. All that stair-walking burns extra calories and tones up your bum. Park your car at the far end of the car park and walk further. If you wear a pedometer you will be amazed how these extra steps mount up and it will really encourage you. Climb the stairs rather than take the lift – even if you can’t manage all of the floors if you are going up a long way, you can always take the lift for the final bit when you’ve gone as far as you can. And rather than send an email to your colleague two desks away, walk over and ask the question.
We all need motivation and a pedometer will help you to find it. Just being conscious that every step you take clocks up on this little gadget so you can see how many steps you have taken in a day is so enlightening. I promise wearing one will make you move more. If you move more, you burn extra calories. When you burn extra calories, you help yourself lose your weight. So, search for that pedometer that you have knocking around in a drawer somewhere or treat yourself to a new one. Choose a simple one as it is off-putting if you have to spend half an hour setting it up. We have a great one that’s dead simple to operate. Just check out our web shop for details.
I know it’s colder today, but don’t use that as an excuse not to become more active.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Rosemary Conley interview with Rebecca Adlington on YouTube
Rosemary Conley interview with Rebecca Adlington on YouTube
I’m really excited about seeing my first broadcast on YouTube today ( part 1 and part 2). The footage is from an interview I carried out with the Olympic double Gold medal winning swimmer Rebecca Adlington, which can be found in print in the April issue of my magazine, Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness. It was a privilege to interview Rebecca who was a delight and she reveals how she has become the most successful female swimmer of the last 100 years.
The interview was recorded for the forthcoming Rosemary Conley TV, which will be launched later this year.
You can also watch the footage on rosemaryconley.com here
I’m really excited about seeing my first broadcast on YouTube today ( part 1 and part 2). The footage is from an interview I carried out with the Olympic double Gold medal winning swimmer Rebecca Adlington, which can be found in print in the April issue of my magazine, Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness. It was a privilege to interview Rebecca who was a delight and she reveals how she has become the most successful female swimmer of the last 100 years.
The interview was recorded for the forthcoming Rosemary Conley TV, which will be launched later this year.
You can also watch the footage on rosemaryconley.com here
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Race For Life
What a beautiful Spring day! Makes you feel good to be alive. I've been to Oakham this morning to see my seamstress, Chris, who will shorten some new trousers I've bought for the summer. Chris told me she is going to run the Race For Life this year to help lose a few lbs. I told her about our Race For Life Fitness Plan and Progress Chart which we are giving away free in my magazine which comes out in early April. Look out for Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness magazine - called the May edition.
Have just been for a walk in the sunshine with Waise (our dog) and loved looking at the lambs jumping about in the field. Glorious! It is a great afternoon to burn some extra calories to help stay in shape. Now I'm going to watch England burn a million calories playing Scotland at Rugby with Mike.
Have just been for a walk in the sunshine with Waise (our dog) and loved looking at the lambs jumping about in the field. Glorious! It is a great afternoon to burn some extra calories to help stay in shape. Now I'm going to watch England burn a million calories playing Scotland at Rugby with Mike.
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