I'm trying to lose a stone. First step: hello, exercise, goodbye take-aways...
Posted: 8 May 2012
by Natalie Mensah
It’s fair to say my exercise efforts have always been a bit lacklustre. I start out full of good intentions at the gym, then as soon as I start sweating I convince myself I can go home.
Needless to say, my first training session with my trainer, Paul Vallis was a real baptism of fire. He introduced me to a kettlebell, I’d never even seen on before let alone used one. I was a bit daunted swinging it around in the park, but I actually really enjoyed it – the moves are quite easy to get to grips with and they definitely work – walking downstairs this week has been agony, not to mention hilarious for my colleagues.
See the fat-burning workout moves in action: watch the video here
Then we did the one thing I was dreading – we ran. I absolutely hated running at school, my teachers always said I was good for the first 10 metres! But Paul is really patient and encouraged me to build up slowly – make it to the next tree, then if I feel like I can do a bit more, to the one after that etc.
I knew Paul would totally change my take-away-heavy diet, so I spent last week enjoying all my favourite foods in preparation – especially kebab and chips, mmm.
I wasn’t wrong either, he says my diet needs a real shake-up if I’m determined to lose the weight, and complete my summer body challenge so he’s banned all junk food, sugar and wheat – argh! So now I’m following a protein and veg heavy diet. It’s not as satisfying as a good kebab, that’s for sure. But no pain, no gain, right?
Natalie is working out using the fat-burning workout
Natalie is following the Zest ultimate summer body challenge
