Isabelle is August 2020 client of the month and it is easy to see why.
I’m not sure where to start with Isabelle as there is is much to praise.
She has given so much effort into transforming her health, fitness and well-being. Her diet is amazing with processed sugars being eliminated. Training is consistent and she is entirely focussed on her goal. Isabelle is a woman on a mission and she’s in a hurry.
Like last month’s client of the month, Leon, Isabelle has made client of the month in record time. There are other clients challenging for the August 2020 client of the month, but Isabelle’s pure determination and achievement in a short space of time has surprised everyone who knows her.
ISABELLE’S STORY
At the beginning of July, Isabelle contacted me looking for support and direction in achieving her goal. I remember chatting on Zoom and was immediately captivated by her enthusiasm, drive and determination to succeed. Having a positive attitude is often associated with high performers from all walks of life. Isabelle is no exception.
Isabelle recently completed her degree at the Royal Agricultural University in Gloucestershire and moved back to her west country home during lockdown with her family. As we have all witnessed, it has been a difficult few months and many of us have been unmotivated and inactive during the pandemic.
Due to lockdown and gyms being closed, many people have lost fitness and gained weight. Isabelle was determined to change her lockdown habits.
The easing of restrictions brought hope and gave people a new lease of life to loose the ‘corona curve’ . Gyms opened but many people stayed away, feeling unsafe about exercising in an enclosed environment. A fear I support.
As a result, my business model has changed. Clients now train outside in open spaces, parks or private gardens. A full range of strength and fitness equipment plus shelter cover from wet weather is available. All this with social distancing, fresh natural air and good fun.
Isabelle is not alone in her concern about training in an indoor gym due to Covid-19. She has adapted her fitness as nature intended in the open spaces of the English countryside, come rain or shine. And once you train outside, you’ll never go back! There is something magical about exercising in the elements.
TRAINING
Isabelle is now in great shape and working even harder than ever towards her goal.
The training started on a low key, slowly building with basic movements.
However, Isabelle already has a background in county gymnastics competing for 10 years as a junior. This meant the building phase of her training was accelerated. Within 2 weeks, we had introduced a functional circuit that incorporated gym rings, suspension straps, kettlebells, ab rollers, sledgehammer tyre hits, skipping, battle rope training and core stability exercises.
Shortly, barbell exercises will be added to the functional circuits plus plyometrics and speed work to spice up the training.
The benefits of functional training are endless. Not only does it improve mobility, strength and body tone, but it also improves cardiovascular health, core strength, posture, range of motion, plus burns fat and relieves stress.
DIET
Isabelle has always struggled with bad eating habits, even when she was competing in gymnastics.
When she attended university, the bad eating habits continued but she wasn’t exercising. The inevitable weight gain made her feel sluggish and she lacked motivation. Soon depression set in and it became increasingly difficult to dig herself out.
Isabelle made the decision to hire a personal trainer to help her health and well-being. As she says, “there is a need to have someone that you’re answerable to like a coach. I need the extra push with diet advice as there is only so much exercise can achieve. The advice was great as I was often guilty of cutting my calories too low which lead to rapid weight loss and gain”.
With a PT, Isabelle has the confidence to know what she is doing is safe, healthy and good for her. No crazy diet plans. Just good old-fashion natural organic foods. Cut out the processed junk food and watch your body and well-being change for the better.
By eliminating processed sugars out of her diet, keeping her daily calorie allowance to under 1400 calories per day and basing her diet around healthy plant based foods such as leafy vegetables, soups, nuts and seeds, tofu, legumes, wholegrain breads and dairy alternatives, Isabelle has shifted 4.5kgs in 6 weeks. A very good return bearing in mind she is only 4 feet 11 inches tall!
She says “So far I have lost 4.5kgs in 6 weeks and working towards my goal of being leaner. I truly believe that after many yoyo dieting attempts, this sustainable approach is exactly what I need and to have the results I want that will last”.
There it is. That word – SUSTAINABLE. How many of these fad diets that count points, sell expensive disappointing artificial shakes and meal replacements? It’s about financial profit, not your health.
Unsustainable ketogenic diets, imbalanced low-carb diets, unhealthy Atkins diet, low fibre Paleo diets, essential nutrient void detox diet and so on. You cannot live your life on constant diets, switching from one to the other. Just eat how nature intended. Real wholesome natural organic food.
AND DON’T BUY ANYTHING THAT HAS A LONG SELL BY DATE.
It’s the same with exercise fads. How many of these gimmicky exercise trends are sustainable. Trying doing 5 HIIT sessions a week for a a month! As exercise is about longevity, diet is about sustainability.
THE FUTURE
It’s difficult to plan any future at the moment with the pandemic. A rocky road awaits us in the northern hemisphere over the coming dark wet cold months as more people gravitate indoors allowing coronavirus to spread.
Training outside in all weather conditions is the future. Outdoor exercise can ward off seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and thus improve your mental health. In addition, you are getting a big dose of vitamin D which keeps bones, teeth and muscles healthy. It also facilitates normal immune system function. Pretty important in the fight against Covid-19.
Isabelle has started running as part of her training regime. 6 weeks ago, Isabelle was struggling to run 5 minutes. Now she’s up to a whooping 30 minutes. She nows runs quicker than me!
Add her training outdoors to her healthy eating plan and we have a recipe for a long healthy happy life. The next plan for Isabelle is starting her own fashion sports wear company. Not sure I’ll be able to help her with that. Watch this space!
Isabelle. The natural winner of the August 2020 client of the month.