It was two years ago that Mike and I were sitting in our villa here in Portugal, just looking out on to the garden when something scuttled in front of our patio doors, swiftly followed by a cat.
We leapt up to find, huddled in the corner of the patio door, the tiniest of ducklings looking very frightened and lonely. In fact, it was so tiny, even the cat had dived past it, not realising it was nestling in this tiny space.
I scooped up the frail little bird and stood, rather helplessly, wondering what to do next. But I could hear Portuguese gardeners next door and walked round to see if they could offer some inspiration. One of the guys spoke some English and, very excitedly explained that they had found the duckling on the main road outside of the resort – some mile or so away – and that they had put it in a box to take somewhere later. Meanwhile, next door’s cat had found it, picked it up and ran off with it and the gardeners had presumed the duckling had provided a pleasant supper for Felix the cat.
The resort is surrounded by golf courses and golf courses have lakes so I called a friend who lives permanently in Portugal, to ask where the nearest pond would be. So off we drove, with one very scared duckling huddled in the corner of a box. We parked up near the golf course and I walked across towards the lake only to find there were two very large lakes. I looked at the first one and, I don’t know why, but that just didn’t feel right so I walked on to the next one. There was a big drop down from the grass to the water’s edge but somehow inside me felt that this was a good pace for baby duckling to have a swim. And as I lay flat on my stomach on the grass, I carefully lowered the fragile feathered creature on to the water. He looked SO tiny as he paddled across what appeared to be a vast ocean.
Then something extraordinary happened. Out from the undergrowth swam, at the fastest speed I have ever seen a duck paddle, an elegant fully grown duck. She quacked so loudly as she glided across, and the duckling tweeped at the top of his voice in response. As the two met the adult duck danced on the water all around the duckling in an amazing display of joy and excitement, flapping her wings and quacking in absolute ecstasy. Her lost little duckling had come home!
It was one of the loveliest sights I have ever seen and it taught me that even when you think that all is lost, miracles really can happen.
Enjoy your weekend.
Friday, 29 May 2009
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Stroke - the silent killer
In recent weeks the Government has sponsored a major health campaign to help us recognise early symptoms of stroke. It has worked and many lives have been saved already, and we are all that bit more aware of those initial indications – facial signals, slurred speech, restricted mobility particularly from the arms. It has also given us the confidence to pick up the phone immediately if we see someone who could be affected. We can call for emergency first aid without our feeling guilty that we might be wasting someone’s time.
Having a stroke is serious and it can kill us. It can come with no warning. It is the third biggest killer disease in our country. The problem is that, unfortunately, we just don’t think it will happen to us.
But we can do a massive amount to reduce our risk of stroke and we need to take that responsibility ourselves, very seriously. Being overweight and unfit dramatically increases our risk of having a stroke as well as many other life-threatening diseases including heart disease, cancer and Type 2 Diabetes. And yet, if we just make some simple changes to our lifestyle we can reduce that risk enormously.
It doesn’t have to be dramatic – just small but significant changes could save your life:
Cut back on the fat in your diet, (particularly saturated fat) – and don’t add fat to anything that you cook.
Cut back your portion sizes by 25% to reduce your weight.
Get active. Just being more active in our everyday lives can dramatically increase our fitness levels and help us lose weight.
Losing 10% of our bodyweight when we are overweight can very effectively reduce our risk of developing a life threatening disease.
Drink alcohol in moderation and get your blood-pressure checked next time you visit your GP’s surgery. It can give you the first indication as to whether you are susceptible to stroke.
And don’t wait until tomorrow. Start today and check out the free website www.obesityawareness.co.uk to see where you lie at risk with your health.
Having a stroke is serious and it can kill us. It can come with no warning. It is the third biggest killer disease in our country. The problem is that, unfortunately, we just don’t think it will happen to us.
But we can do a massive amount to reduce our risk of stroke and we need to take that responsibility ourselves, very seriously. Being overweight and unfit dramatically increases our risk of having a stroke as well as many other life-threatening diseases including heart disease, cancer and Type 2 Diabetes. And yet, if we just make some simple changes to our lifestyle we can reduce that risk enormously.
It doesn’t have to be dramatic – just small but significant changes could save your life:
Cut back on the fat in your diet, (particularly saturated fat) – and don’t add fat to anything that you cook.
Cut back your portion sizes by 25% to reduce your weight.
Get active. Just being more active in our everyday lives can dramatically increase our fitness levels and help us lose weight.
Losing 10% of our bodyweight when we are overweight can very effectively reduce our risk of developing a life threatening disease.
Drink alcohol in moderation and get your blood-pressure checked next time you visit your GP’s surgery. It can give you the first indication as to whether you are susceptible to stroke.
And don’t wait until tomorrow. Start today and check out the free website www.obesityawareness.co.uk to see where you lie at risk with your health.
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, 26 May 2009
Bank Holidays and shaping up for summer...
I like Bank Holidays because they punctuate the year and give us a breather from the hussle and bussle of everyday life. But they do much more than that. They give us a point on the calender, a marker from which we can make new beginnings and start new habits.
With such beautiful weather for most people over the weekend it really does focus our minds on shaping up for summer. As we shed our warm clothes after a chilly couple of weeks, we become horribly aware of those extra pounds gained over the winter months which have been so ignored, and carefully camourflaged, under layers of garments for no-one to see – until now!
I am no different from the rest of you and I have seriously taken myself in hand over the last few weeks, as have lots of our staff.
Mike and I are holidaying in Portugal at the moment and when we were here in March my white trousers were unwearable. They now fit – snugly, admittedly - but they have been worn for a whole day and I was still breathing at the end of it. Deep joy! Drinking less wine, cutting back on portions, trying to be more active, have all helped. I still have some to lose (I don’t know how much because I don’t weigh myself – I just go by the fit of my clothes), but I’m ‘in the zone’. I have worked out this morning and feel better for it. I have made a decision, this bank holiday, to step up my exercise and keep on with the good resolve on the food and wine front.
Our usual holiday treats are Pringles and Haagen Dazs ice cream. There are no Pringles in the villa and the half-eaten tub of Haagen Dazs (left from last visit) is untouched.
I want to be slim more than I want these gorgeous indulgencies so let’s hope I can hold it together till we leave in 10 days’ time.
If you want to lose weight for your summer holidays, you need to get in the zone too. Think of five reasons why you want to be slimmer and write them down in your diary. Decide five things you can do regarding your eating habits to help you achieve weight loss. Then decide on five activities you will do each week to help burn extra calories and slim you down faster.
And if you are thinking that investing in some expensive bit of exercise machinery is going to be the answer, forget it. You will have a mad burst of enthusiasm for the first week then you’ll get bored. If you have a bit of kit already, why not dust it down, bring it in from the garage and give it a go. Even if you do use it for only a week, that’s better than nothing!
Losing weight takes effort and determination. Nobody said it was quick or easy, but we may be able to help you with some of the solutions that we offer via our website rosemaryconley.com. Check it out for yourself. Going to a class is definitely the most effective as you get the interaction of the other members as well as the supervision of a qualified professional, weighing you in and teaching you exercise safely and effectively. To find your local class simply put your postcode into our Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Club classfinder here. If you can’t get to a class, our online slimming club is great. You can communicate with other members via the chat room and coffee shop at any time of the day or night. And working out to one of my DVD’s will provide you with an easy-to-follow whole body workout that you can do anytime to suit your schedule.
I know how being overweight can rob you of your confidence – I once was two and a half stone overweight – and that’s why I want to help you achieve a body you can be proud of. We are so much happier when our weight is down and our fitness is up. Let’s go fot it – together.
With such beautiful weather for most people over the weekend it really does focus our minds on shaping up for summer. As we shed our warm clothes after a chilly couple of weeks, we become horribly aware of those extra pounds gained over the winter months which have been so ignored, and carefully camourflaged, under layers of garments for no-one to see – until now!
I am no different from the rest of you and I have seriously taken myself in hand over the last few weeks, as have lots of our staff.
Mike and I are holidaying in Portugal at the moment and when we were here in March my white trousers were unwearable. They now fit – snugly, admittedly - but they have been worn for a whole day and I was still breathing at the end of it. Deep joy! Drinking less wine, cutting back on portions, trying to be more active, have all helped. I still have some to lose (I don’t know how much because I don’t weigh myself – I just go by the fit of my clothes), but I’m ‘in the zone’. I have worked out this morning and feel better for it. I have made a decision, this bank holiday, to step up my exercise and keep on with the good resolve on the food and wine front.
Our usual holiday treats are Pringles and Haagen Dazs ice cream. There are no Pringles in the villa and the half-eaten tub of Haagen Dazs (left from last visit) is untouched.
I want to be slim more than I want these gorgeous indulgencies so let’s hope I can hold it together till we leave in 10 days’ time.
If you want to lose weight for your summer holidays, you need to get in the zone too. Think of five reasons why you want to be slimmer and write them down in your diary. Decide five things you can do regarding your eating habits to help you achieve weight loss. Then decide on five activities you will do each week to help burn extra calories and slim you down faster.
And if you are thinking that investing in some expensive bit of exercise machinery is going to be the answer, forget it. You will have a mad burst of enthusiasm for the first week then you’ll get bored. If you have a bit of kit already, why not dust it down, bring it in from the garage and give it a go. Even if you do use it for only a week, that’s better than nothing!
Losing weight takes effort and determination. Nobody said it was quick or easy, but we may be able to help you with some of the solutions that we offer via our website rosemaryconley.com. Check it out for yourself. Going to a class is definitely the most effective as you get the interaction of the other members as well as the supervision of a qualified professional, weighing you in and teaching you exercise safely and effectively. To find your local class simply put your postcode into our Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Club classfinder here. If you can’t get to a class, our online slimming club is great. You can communicate with other members via the chat room and coffee shop at any time of the day or night. And working out to one of my DVD’s will provide you with an easy-to-follow whole body workout that you can do anytime to suit your schedule.
I know how being overweight can rob you of your confidence – I once was two and a half stone overweight – and that’s why I want to help you achieve a body you can be proud of. We are so much happier when our weight is down and our fitness is up. Let’s go fot it – together.
Friday, 22 May 2009
Spring Bank Holiday Weekend
The Spring Bank holiday signifies the beginning of summer and it is also half-term so lots of parents will have taken the week off to stay at home with their children.
After watching TV last night there is no doubt that the DIY stores are hoping you will be flocking to scoop up their ‘50% off sale bargains, plus another 20% off everything’!
These days we cram so much into every day that when a few days’ holiday arrive we have such great plans to achieve so much. Whether it be laying the patio, redecorating the bedroom or fitting a new kitchen, it is, unfortunately, not going to be completed this weekend. But it may get started and that’s good. Taking the first steps is the most important to getting a task completed.
Planning a major DIY project is a bit like planning a DIY get-slim-and-fit programme to get you in shape for your summer holidays. On Day 1 you have such good intentions. You walk for an hour, achieve well over your 10.000 steps on your pedometer, weigh out your cereal for breakfast, eat a healthy sandwich for lunch and have tuna and salad for dinner and no pudding! And you drank Diet Coke instead of beer or wine. You feel like a saint and tell yourself how easy this is going to be. This is the DIY equivalent of having decided on your kitchen, bought it, ripped out the old one and opened the first flat-pack. What could possibly go wrong?
Whether you are trying to lose weight or install a new kitchen your success will be determined by appreciating your strengths and acknowledging your weaknesses. Some of us are better at attacking projects with others, whilst some prefer to go it alone. Just as you need a qualified plumber to install your kitchen, so you also need a qualified exercise teacher to help you get the most out of your exercises. Whether it is with the help of someone remotely, such as following a fitness DVD, or attending a class, exercising with a professional will enable you to achieve the maximum benefit in the minimum amount of time. And that is what we are all after - a quick but satisfactory result. Check out our website for details of professional help: www.rosemaryconley.com
If you want to lose a few pounds this weekend, do these five simple things. 1) Plan ahead what you are going to eat at mealtimes and then don’t over-shop. 2) Avoid snacking between meals - this is important – though you could eat a Satsuma or kiwi fruit just to keep you going if you feel really hungry. 3) Cut your portion size by 20% and buy foods with 5% or less fat and prepare and cook everything without adding fat such as oil or butter. 4) Drink plenty of low calorie fluids – water, diet drinks, tea, - as staying hydrated can stave off hunger pangs. 5) Be as active as you can, and try to sit down as little as possible!
Have a good weekend!
After watching TV last night there is no doubt that the DIY stores are hoping you will be flocking to scoop up their ‘50% off sale bargains, plus another 20% off everything’!
These days we cram so much into every day that when a few days’ holiday arrive we have such great plans to achieve so much. Whether it be laying the patio, redecorating the bedroom or fitting a new kitchen, it is, unfortunately, not going to be completed this weekend. But it may get started and that’s good. Taking the first steps is the most important to getting a task completed.
Planning a major DIY project is a bit like planning a DIY get-slim-and-fit programme to get you in shape for your summer holidays. On Day 1 you have such good intentions. You walk for an hour, achieve well over your 10.000 steps on your pedometer, weigh out your cereal for breakfast, eat a healthy sandwich for lunch and have tuna and salad for dinner and no pudding! And you drank Diet Coke instead of beer or wine. You feel like a saint and tell yourself how easy this is going to be. This is the DIY equivalent of having decided on your kitchen, bought it, ripped out the old one and opened the first flat-pack. What could possibly go wrong?
Whether you are trying to lose weight or install a new kitchen your success will be determined by appreciating your strengths and acknowledging your weaknesses. Some of us are better at attacking projects with others, whilst some prefer to go it alone. Just as you need a qualified plumber to install your kitchen, so you also need a qualified exercise teacher to help you get the most out of your exercises. Whether it is with the help of someone remotely, such as following a fitness DVD, or attending a class, exercising with a professional will enable you to achieve the maximum benefit in the minimum amount of time. And that is what we are all after - a quick but satisfactory result. Check out our website for details of professional help: www.rosemaryconley.com
If you want to lose a few pounds this weekend, do these five simple things. 1) Plan ahead what you are going to eat at mealtimes and then don’t over-shop. 2) Avoid snacking between meals - this is important – though you could eat a Satsuma or kiwi fruit just to keep you going if you feel really hungry. 3) Cut your portion size by 20% and buy foods with 5% or less fat and prepare and cook everything without adding fat such as oil or butter. 4) Drink plenty of low calorie fluids – water, diet drinks, tea, - as staying hydrated can stave off hunger pangs. 5) Be as active as you can, and try to sit down as little as possible!
Have a good weekend!
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Facial-Flex Ultra on TV
Apologies for the absence of Rosemary’s blog over the last couple of days. Unfortunately Rosemary is unwell at the moment but will be back writing her blog as soon as she is feeling better.
In the meantime, the team at Rosemary Conley thought you might be interested to know that Facial-Flex Ultra, which Rosemary has personally been using for many years, is due to be featured on Channel 4’s Extreme Male Beauty programme next Thursday, 28th May, at 10pm. Tim Shaw, the presenter, will be demonstrating this amazing product, which is available exclusively in the UK from http://www.rosemaryconley.com/
Just using Facial-Flex Ultra for two minutes, twice a day can help you look 10 years younger without the need for surgery, and the best thing is it’s 100 per cent natural!
Whilst exercise strengthens and tones the muscles in our body and helps us to look younger and feel healthier, this handy gadget can do the same for your face.
As we get older, our facial muscles can reduce in size, resulting in sagging and ageing, which is where Facial-Flex Ultra comes in. It works the support structure under your skin to increase muscle strength, skin tone and firmness, improve blood circulation and help reduce a sagging jaw line and double chin.
And, as Rosemary says: “It’s the easy, safe and natural way to make a real difference to your appearance. I use it and I know it works!”
In the meantime, the team at Rosemary Conley thought you might be interested to know that Facial-Flex Ultra, which Rosemary has personally been using for many years, is due to be featured on Channel 4’s Extreme Male Beauty programme next Thursday, 28th May, at 10pm. Tim Shaw, the presenter, will be demonstrating this amazing product, which is available exclusively in the UK from http://www.rosemaryconley.com/
Just using Facial-Flex Ultra for two minutes, twice a day can help you look 10 years younger without the need for surgery, and the best thing is it’s 100 per cent natural!
Whilst exercise strengthens and tones the muscles in our body and helps us to look younger and feel healthier, this handy gadget can do the same for your face.
As we get older, our facial muscles can reduce in size, resulting in sagging and ageing, which is where Facial-Flex Ultra comes in. It works the support structure under your skin to increase muscle strength, skin tone and firmness, improve blood circulation and help reduce a sagging jaw line and double chin.
And, as Rosemary says: “It’s the easy, safe and natural way to make a real difference to your appearance. I use it and I know it works!”
Monday, 18 May 2009
Fund raising activities
What a wonderful weekend of fund-raising was carried out by numerous Rosemary Conley members, franchisees and staff. One of our magazine slimmers, Alyson Knowles, successfully completed her 10-Marathons-in-10-days Challenge and has raised over £6,100 for the Brathay Hall Trust. After shedding over 3 stone at her local Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Club, Alyson, a former yo-yo dieter – was able to take part in running marathons again. To progress to running 10 in 10 days is a remarkable achievement and one she could not even have contemplated when she was overweight. Very well done Alyson, I am delighted for you!
After shedding ten stone, our Slimmer of the Year, Gillian Butcher, along with many other Rosemary Conley franchisees and members, has also been busy fundraising this weekend when she took to the streets of London at midnight on Saturday to take part in the Playtex Moon Walk. Well done to them all for completing the 26-mile circuit. Gill succeeded in raising £1,500 for Walk the Walk, a charity raising funds for vital breast cancer causes.A team of Rosemary Conley staff did a wonderful job of helping to raise funds for the Anthony
Nolan Trust, the charity which provides bone marrow transplants for people with leukaemia. Dragon boat racing has become a popular, addictive and exhilarating team event where the drummer beats out a rhythm for the paddlers to race the 30ft Hong Kong style dragon boats. Altogether the event in Stratford Upon Avon raised £24,000 for the charity. After being turned down as a bone marrow donor for being too fat, despite being the nearest match for a patient, after losing almost 7 stone, one of our regional Slimmers of the Year, Neil Davis, has now put himself back on the bone marrow donor register in the hope that his weight loss will mean he can save a life.
Nolan Trust, the charity which provides bone marrow transplants for people with leukaemia. Dragon boat racing has become a popular, addictive and exhilarating team event where the drummer beats out a rhythm for the paddlers to race the 30ft Hong Kong style dragon boats. Altogether the event in Stratford Upon Avon raised £24,000 for the charity. After being turned down as a bone marrow donor for being too fat, despite being the nearest match for a patient, after losing almost 7 stone, one of our regional Slimmers of the Year, Neil Davis, has now put himself back on the bone marrow donor register in the hope that his weight loss will mean he can save a life.
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