On a quest to get fit for Run to The Beat, Alicia enlists herself onto Barry’s Bootcamp Hell Week… find out how she did

HELL & HEALTHY WEEK

After an indulgent summer, Alicia Meinertzhagen signs herself up for Barry’s Bootcamp Hell Week, but when she sees her fitness and body improve, she starts to think it’s not so hellish after all. Here is her day-by-day account…

After a full-on summer of too much going out and surviving on unhealthy habits, it is great to finally be taking my finger off the self-destruct button this week. For anyone who knows me I am not a natural runner, and the prospect of my impending Nike Run to the Beat half-marathon has definitely been a persistent niggle in my brain whilst I have made my way through the summer and the umpteen bottles of rosé that go with it. So with a little under two weeks to go, I am combining the weekly academy at Barry’s Bootcamp with a clean diet to give myself the best chance I can to chase a solid time. I am also definitely intrigued as to how my mind and body will change and feel with such a shift in focus to my health and well-being.

I have been going to Barry’s Bootcamp since February, soon after it opened in London after being brought over from the States. It is an addictive hour’s indoor-workout class that I would essentially term as ‘interval’ training, set to great music and taught by highly motivating and personable trainers. For the past couple of months I have utilised it mainly as a way of keeping my shape intact and to combat the effects of letting loose, but this has been somewhat of a waste as I used the class more to just maintain my fitness levels rather than better them, which is the very thing that Barry’s is brilliant at. The incredible knowledge of the staff who work there and the ability to use the classes to push your fitness to new levels is undeniable, and this is what I hope to achieve with my 8 sessions in 7 days…

Day 1:

I wake up this morning still feeling the effects of the Notting Hill Carnival on the bank holiday weekend. Having got just a little bit over-excited on the Sunday the abstinence from rum punch began yesterday, but I definitely allowed myself to over-indulge in a few last foodie treats. Residual toxins from both are definitely contributing to my sluggish and slightly blue mood. Green tea, almonds and fresh fruit are my mantra in the office today. Which I mostly manage to stick to, apart from the addition of a little too much dried fruit with its high sugar content creeping in alongside. But I’m feeling uncharacteristically springy when I leave at 5.30, with no habitual headaches from excessive biscuit-tin raiding, and am raring to go when I reach Barry’s.

I have booked in with Faisal, one of my favourite trainers, to get the ball rolling. Knowing that this is the start of my challenge, he is extra supportive towards me during the busy class – particularly with my attempts not to coast at the ‘beginners’ speeds at all during the running segments (as I still do despite my months of attendance). I manage this all apart from one horrendous incline-focused few minutes, and leave feeling pleased that I have begun on a strong note.

Day 2:

Not-so-clever Alicia. Whilst reaching at an awkward angle in my car last night I have managed to wrench my neck. Cue arnica, Ibuprofen, Deep Heat, a hot water bottle and very little sleep. I have small doubt that this is to do with my body’s reaction to finally slowing down, and a sharp wake-up call to my need to take better care of it. Whilst I am determined not to be silly in my attempts to heal the pain and get back on track for this evening, a midday emergency chiropractic session works wonders and after an afternoon of icing (apparently heat is the WORST thing, oops!) I feel ready to tackle session two.

Yesterday was ‘Butts and Legs’ day so as predicted I lever myself up onto the treadmill feeling a little heavy of leg. I have my eldest sister with me this evening to keep me going, as well as the Barry’s London maestro Sandy taking the class. All the trainers are religious about checking for injuries and never mind if you adapt the floor exercises slightly for any niggles, so I get through the session with only a few small twinges. What comes after is almost harder – a quick visit to a friend’s house to catch up on honeymoon news at a dinner table laden with cookies! Luckily she is a Hip and Healthy fan so keeps me happily distracted with lots of fresh berries and mint tea.

Day 3:

I wake up this morning feeling pretty exhausted, but am boosted by the fact that my original and favourite trainer Olly Truelove (great name) is back in town! I manage to drag my 18 year-old nephew for an introductory session, and then swiftly whip his ass on a sprint by a full point-and-a-half in speed. This makes me realise the impact that support and a little healthy competition can have on my performance.

Out for dinner I fall slightly by the wayside on the ‘clean eating’, but the quality of ingredients used is evident so I don’t beat myself up too much. Especially given my strength of will in choosing a fresh ginger based ‘mocktail’, not even tasting a few exceptional-looking french fries (my downfall in life) from the other person’s plate, and ending the evening with another mint tea.

Day 4: 

Today’s session was with Anya, who is fantastic but has a penchant for my nemesis – inclines. This certainly wasn’t a strong class for me but I managed not to fall below the prescribed speeds, and loved the fact that she mixed it up by getting us to do some pair work as a challenge during the last floor section. Although I felt slightly sorry for the poor woman who got me as I was wearing my new Zaggora leggings which were absolutely drenched by this point (those who have tried them/read about the concept behind them will understand…).

The evening brought what I knew would probably send my week’s intentions slightly off-kilter – a very close friend’s hen do. Luckily the food her sister had made could have been taken from any ‘clean eating plan’, with delicious rare roast beef, roasted vegetables and a variety of salads. My plan to drink ‘vodka’ and grapefruit juice (i.e. just juice) was quickly spotted, but by sticking just to vodka without any nasty fizzy mixers, and dancing up a storm for two hours I got home to bed late but feeling surprisingly good for what could have been a disastrous evening.

Day 5: 

Waking up this morning I can feel the effect of even just a bit of alcohol – dehydration and a general feeling of ‘claggyness’, and I don’t like it. A lot of water, fresh juice and a brisk early morning supermarket shop involving heavy-bag-lugging before heading to the 10.00am Barry’s class with Olly works wonders. And whilst it doesn’t make sense, I had my best class of the week. It is always one of my favourites for some reason when I can make it, even if normally it’s just because I feel smug that I’ve started my weekend on such a positive note. I hit a personal best of 12mph for a sprint, and notice the sudden shift in my body that has occurred by this morning in terms of the feeling of strength and tone after five classes. My only guess is that psychologically knowing I want to get the alcohol toxins out of my body makes me work harder to get back to my normal balance. Whatever it was, I have a fantastically productive day in sunny London and am feeling confident that all this training is going to have an impact on next weekend’s run.

Day 6: 

So much for thinking I’d cracked the formula! It takes me quite a while to pull myself out of bed this morning – the build-up of so many days in a row is catching up. Still, I know the best thing for my energy levels is to get moving – I have exercised regularly since my late teens because I know that those weeks that I let it slide I actually end up feeling more lethargic. So it’s on with the Zaggora’s for a second attempt with a morning Anya. Again, not my best class but I get through it, and am sweating so much that the man next to me can’t stop staring in disgust/wonder! This is probably to do with the leggings, but I’m secretly hoping that I’m getting fitter and thus sweating more…The end is in sight, and with this focus I resist the delights of my habitual Sunday curry and head home to a fridge full of fresh vegetables instead.

Day 7:

Having left my double-day until the last minute, I determinedly get on the tube for 7.10am class pre-work. Luckily it is with Olly, who I find is my most motivational trainer if for no other reason than I have done so many classes with him and automatically feel comfortable and able to achieve what is set. It’s ‘Arms and Abs’ day, which I enjoy, and leave feeling that I’ll be able to get my body and brain in gear for the evening session. I end up taking the latest class – the 9.00pm – with Taylor. Having not had time before going in to explain that I was doing the week’s academy, and just saying that I’m doing a double-day, he calls me on it and seems determined to make me work to my hardest. It’s only half-way through that I realise he is using reverse-psychology by shouting encouragement and praise to everyone else in the small sized class but me! I am thus automatically pushing myself without even realising it, and finish the week on a high.

I’m not sure I’m in a rush to sign up to a weekly academy again… but I feel proud of myself for getting through it and have definitely added muscle and tone which can only be a positive for my half-marathon. I felt almost sad during the last sections of my last class that I wouldn’t be back for at least a week, so clearly I haven’t lost my Barry’s love! The clean eating side was definitely weaker and not perfect, but I got more vegetables in me than I have in a long time and was far more conscious of what I was putting into my body. Fingers crossed for the coming race!

The weekly academy costs £90, and classes range from £14-20 depending on the package you buy. Classes are one hour and run from early morning until the evening every day, apart from on weekends when there are less scheduled. www.barrysbootcamp.com.

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Alicia (centre) with friends after completing London’s Run To The Beat


Jolly Green Giant Smoothie

The Hip & Healthy 14 Day Smoothie Challenge Sponsored by Herbalife

Swap your 4pm snack for a superfood smoothie and get ready to get your glow on…

Day 10: Jolly Green Giant

 1/2 large avocado

1 pear

2 cups spinach

1/3 cup coconut water

1 tbsp hemp protein powder

1 tbsp chia seeds

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GIVE IT A BOOST: Want to give your smoothie challenge a turbo boost? Stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking lots of herbal tea. Enhance your day with Herbalife’s Instant Herbal Beverage, raspberry flavour which is infused with both green and black tea. For more information visit: http://products.herbalife.co.uk/weight-management/herbal-tea

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September Skin: Five Top Skin Tips to Get You Glowing

We asked The Setai Miami Beach’s Spa Director Laura Santiago for her 5 top tips on replenishing and restoring the skin after a wonderful summer of sunshine so that we can all keep our glows, come rain or shine this September

After Sun Moisturiser
Primarily, it supplies your skin with anti-oxidants to fight any free radicals that may have been induced by UV exposure. By using after sun you replace lost moisture from your skin’s surface. After-sun moisturiser will nourish all types of skin with all the nutrients it needs to recover from the effects of UV rays. We recommend the After-Sun Moisturiser by Hampton Sun, which makes the body feel clean, cool and fresh, with a rejuvenating pick-me-up scent. With a blend of natural ingredients, emblica fruit extract, aloe, almond oil, walnut oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, tea tree oil, green tea oil, and chamomile. This unique formula helps prolong a beautiful tan and can be used as a daily moisturiser.

Green Tea Body Oil
When skin endures a strong tan, freckles due to sun or heat exposure, dry and dark patches, acne breakouts; it can be corrected when green tea oil is used. The reason behind its potency is the anti-oxidant property of green tea oil. Green tea oil with its essential anti-oxidant properties helps in correcting the signs, aiding the skin to revert to a better and younger looking skin. Green tea gives a natural lift to the skin with an additional dose of radiance.

Cucumber Juice or Fresh Cucumber Slices to the skin
Cucumber has a cooling effect and the Vitamin C present in cucumber will also help to keep the skin moisturised.

Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter may actually possess qualities that go beyond aroma. It relieves dry skin after sun and wind exposure or even just when the central heating is cranked up and has also been shown to penetrate deep into the skin, allowing it to moisturise beyond just the top layer.

Almond Oil
Almond oil has emollient properties, which gives it the ability to rejuvenate and soften the skin. Continuous application of almond oil  helps to even out the skin tone, improve the complexion and slow down the skin’s aging process.

 


Berry Supercharged Smoothie

The Hip & Healthy 14 Day Smoothie Challenge Sponsored by Herbalife

Swap your 4pm snack for a superfood smoothie and get ready to get your glow on…

Day 9: Berry Supercharged 

1 frozen banana

1 cup mixed raspberries and blueberries

1/2 cup strawberries

1/4 pomegranates

blended with juice 1 orange or  1/4 cup coconut water

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GIVE IT A BOOST: Want to give your smoothie challenge a turbo boost? You could add in a tablespoon of Herbalife’s Formula 1, strawberry flavour  for it’s great protein content and it also provides all the essential amino acids. Find out more here: http://products.herbalife.co.uk/formula-1

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If you do just one thing this week… Look at how you eat (not just what you eat)

by Kathleen Flemming

Eat less meat. Cut out dairy. Drink coconut water. There is so much information out there about what we should or shouldn’t be eating and drinking. Of course what we put in our mouths is important for maintaining good health. However, although it is extremely important, little information is provided about how to eat and drink. The way in which we consume has profound effects on our well being.

Mindfulness
Yoga teachers are always talking about mindful movement. Mindfulness is being fully present of what you are doing in the present moment. You can only be completely mindful of your action if you are carrying out one action at a time – all of your energy and attention is focused on that action. We have become a society obsessed with multi-tasking and many of us find ourselves throwing our lunch into our mouths as we scan our email inbox or type up a document. We eat dinner while watching TV or scrolling through Facebook. By eating in this way, we are not mindful of what we are consuming. Mindful eating means we are aware of every bite, how our food tastes, how much we are eating and how our body feels as we eat. Eating while multi-tasking often leads to eating too much, eating too fast, indigestion, bloating and eating the wrong things.

To introduce mindfulness while eating, sit down with your food and bring your full attention to the action of eating. Be mindful of what you have on your plate – will it nourish your beautiful body? Notice what you are eating, what the food tastes like, how it makes your body feel. You will find yourself eating more slowly, eating foods that will give you energy and vitality and eating less as you bring awareness to how your body feels while eating.

Body Awareness
Being aware of how your body feels is important in maintaining health and losing weight. Most of us don’t listen to how our body feels – are we are really hungry or are we eating because we are bored? Or are we actually thirsty? When lunch time came around at work, I used to eat regardless of how I felt because I wanted an excuse to do something else. If we eat because of how we feel emotionally or because we are bored, we will put on weight and the body’s digestive system will be over-worked making us sluggish.

Only eat when you are hungry. Start to listen to your body’s signals of hunger and thirst. Listen to your body when it says it is full and skip that chocolate bar as dessert. Does your body need it? Your mind will always try to tell you otherwise which is why many of us get sucked into emotional eating patterns. By bringing your awareness to your body, you will start to eat less and your body will function more efficiently, using your energy to digest food that it really needs.

Chewing
Often I used to find myself eating so fast that I swallowed whole chunks of food. I was in such a rush that in four bites and four quick swallows, my lunch was gone and I was ready to charge on to the next thing. I always felt a little uncomfortable after gobbling my food and often didn’t feel satisfied leading me to buy some more food.

Learning about the importance of chewing food, changed the way I ate and how my body felt. Chewing is crucial for good digestion as your mouth is where the digestion process begins. Saliva contains digestive enzymes which help to break down food making it easier for foods to pass through our digestive system and for nutrients to be absorbed into our body. When food is not chewed properly, many nutrients are not properly extracted and the undigested food becomes fodder for bacteria leading to indigestion, flatulence, bloating and discomfort.

It is recommended that we chew each mouthful 20-40 times. Several studies have also found that by chewing more, we actually eat less as we allow our food to digest properly and we can recognise when we are full. In short by chewing our food properly, we aid healthy digestion, increase nutrient absorption and stop over-eating.

Keep it Simple
Food and eating doesn’t have to be complicated. Our bodies are grateful for simple, nutritious food. There are so many recipes out there with ingredients lists longer than your arm and the availability of condiments and sauces means our meals are seldom simple.

Our digestive system requires less energy and we will experience less bloating if we keep our cooking simple. Different foods require different digestive enzymes and take varying amounts of time to digest. Try limiting the amount of foods which you eat at one meal so your body’s digestive system isn’t overwhelmed. Keeping your food simple is likely to mean that you eat less, and choose healthy nutrient dense foods to nourish your body.

Next time you sit down for a meal, choose something simple and nutritious, try to be mindful of your actions, listen to your wonderful body and chew your food.


Green Machine Smoothie

The Hip & Healthy 14 Day Smoothie Challenge Sponsored by Herbalife

Swap your 4pm snack for a superfood smoothie and get ready to get your glow on…

Day 8: Green Machine 

Ingredients:

1 pear

1/2 cup pineapple (can use banana)

2 cups spinach

1-2 sticks celery

juice 1/2 lemon

1 cup water/coconut

Method: blend!

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GIVE IT A BOOST: Want to give your smoothie challenge a turbo boost? You could add in a tablespoon of Herbalife’s Formula 1 Tropical Fruit flavoured for it’s great protein content and it provides all the essential amino acids. Find out more here: http://products.herbalife.co.uk/formula-1

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Some Like It Hot: Louisa Parker Bowles reviews Triyoga’s Hot Yoga class… and sweats out her doubts

words by Louisa Parker-Bowles

With London still warm, it seems a strange time to take Hot Yoga but as I ommm and ahhhh my way through a blissful hour and a quarter, I wonder why it has taken me so long to discover this heavenly practice.

I arrive a bit early for Jennifer’s Monday night Triyoga Hot class and flop happily onto a mat in the spacious studio, mentally listing all the things I have to do when I get home. Emails, washing, preparing my darling daughter’s wardrobe for the next day and suddenly think I should make a dash for the door and promptly return to my motherly duties. Just as I am wondering how to sneak out unnoticed, Jennifer’s soothing, almost hypnotic, voice welcomes everyone and encourages us to live in the moment. “The past is just memories, the future is imagination” she declares. It’s a mantra that provokes a reaction in me, as I know I am guilty of always looking ahead to what’s next, rather than simply enjoying the present. I have spent countless hours worrying about everything from how I will stop my daughter injuring herself, or innocent bystanders, when she eventually insists on riding one of those terrifying scooters all children seem to whizz around on, to what to do if, heaven forbid, she decides not to wear my wedding dress when her big day arrives. She’s three months old.

Before I know it the class is in full (Buddha) swing, with Jennifer demonstrating some poses and talking through others. This mix of teaching method works remarkably well, as it means you have to keep your mind in the class, rather than robotically copying the teacher while daydreaming about dinner.  It also really helps to understand which muscles are working when and moreover, the results you can expect if you stick with it. Triyoga Hot is an open level class so I am surrounded by a mix of year-round yogis and first timers, which is very reassuring as although Jennifer tells us not to compare ourselves to our neighbours, I do. The class is founded on Tapasya method, the idea being that the mind and the body are purified simultaneously through a systematic series of alignment-based poses.  Each posture is held for one minute and aims to build strength and increase flexibility. The infrared heat means the body itself is heated, as opposed to the air, so despite working through poses in 34-36C heat, I don’t feel like I am about to pass out. The heat facilitates safe, deep stretching so for the first time since primary school I am able to touch my toes without bending my knees.  Needless to say I am delighted by this achievement.

The class passes surprisingly quickly and by the end I feel utterly relaxed and wonderfully supple. It’s a wonderful start to the week and as I happily trot home I vow to ‘live in the moment’ more often. Perhaps only when the moment is as enjoyable as those spent at Triyoga.


Greeny Colada Smoothie

The Hip & Healthy 14 Day Smoothie Challenge Sponsored by Herbalife

Swap your 4pm snack for a superfood smoothie and get ready to get your glow on…

Day 7: Greeny Colada 

ingredients:

1 frozen banana

3/4 cup pineapple

2 cups spinach

1/4 – 1/2 cup coconut water

method: blend!

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GIVE IT A BOOST: Want to give your smoothie challenge a turbo boost? Add in some Herbalife Aloe Vera Concentrate. Great for cleansing, hydrating and may even help your skin achieve a clearer complexion. Whats not to love! Find out more here: http://products.herbalife.co.uk/weight-management/aloe-concentrate 

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Sexy Chocolate Smoothie

The Hip & Healthy 14 Day Smoothie Challenge Sponsored by Herbalife

Swap your 4pm snack for a superfood smoothie and get ready to get your glow on…

Day 6: Sexy Chocolate Smoothie

1/2 avocado

1/2 frozen banana

4 tsp raw cacao powder

3 medjool dates

1 cup almond milk or other dairy free milk

1/2 cup water (optional, to thin)

molly choc

GIVE IT A BOOST: Want to give your smoothie challenge a turbo boost? Add in Herbalife’s Formula 1, Chocolate flavour. This makes it into more of a meal as it is filled with protein and other nutrients. For more information click here: http://products.herbalife.co.uk/formula-1

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Raw Mexican Lettuce Wraps with Guacamole, Salsa and Cashew Sour Cream

recipe by Saskia Gregson-Williams

I love the flavours and tastes of Mexican food, and as an avocado addict, guacomole is one of those things I can’t ever get enough of. I love making big bowls, to eat with crudités, spiced flax crackers, spread on chunks of toasty pumpernickel bread, mixed with quinoa or simply on its own. It’s always delicious! But this way of eating guacamole has become my new obsession; smooth yet chunky wrapped in a crunchy lettuce leave with sweet and juicy tomatoes, peppers and drizzled with dreamy cashew sour cream. It’s so satisfying and unbelievably nutritious.

It’s such a great lunch to make with your family and friends; like making a pizza you can get creative and make yours up exactly how you like it. It’s also incredibly easy to take to go, just take the different components, prepare the lettuce in advanced and compile when you’re ready to eat!

Let us know how you get on with your raw mexican fiesta, and share your creations by hashtagging #hipandhealthy on Instagram and twitter!Serves 4

Ingredients:

Guacamole
1 large ripe tomato
2 ripe avocados
juice 1  lime
a handful coriander, minced
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1 chilli, red or green, deseeded and finely chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Use a large knife to pulverise the tomato to a pulp on your chopping bowl. Add to a bowl with the avocado flesh. Tip all other ingredients (except the coriander) in and mash or whisk until desired chunky texture. Add the coriander and mix well. Season to taste.

Tomato Salsa: 
1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
1/2 red onion, minced
1 red pepper
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Season to taste

Chop the peppers in to cubes, and prepare all other ingredients as said above. combine everything in a small bowl.

Cashew Sour Cream:
½ cup raw cashews (soaked if possible)
juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
5 Tbsp water

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

You also need: 8 Large lettuce leaves

To compile:
Down each lettuce leaf, with a knife lightly score/ make a line down the stem, so as not to make a whole in the leaf but to allow the stem to bend.  Then as shown in the picture start by spreading the guacomole, salsa and generous drizzles of the cashew sour cream. Roll up into a wrap and enjoy!

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Introducing the Dorothy Perkins Style Essential Range

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Here at H&H, we are always in our gym gear, wether we’re cycling to and from meetings or practicing yoga after work. So, in this article we want to talk about what we love to wear when we aren’t working out!

As much as we love to dress up and get fancy sometimes, we are, after all, exercise bunnies, so feeling comfortable in clothes is super important to us. But it can be hard finding the right balance between feeling comfy and looking fashionable. Dorothy Perkins fits the bill quite nicely! The Style Essentials range consist of 10 key pieces that will give your A/W wardrobe a (stylish) kick! And not only is it totally on trend but its really good value too, with items starting at just £14.

The Biker

The Sculpted Tee

The 2 in 1 Dress

The Fit and Flare Dress

The Skirt

The Fur

The Blouse

The Item Sweat

The Cute Fit Knit

The Skinny Jean

The collection offers versatility to mix and match pieces for a seamless transition (pun intended!) from day to night. It’s also wallet-friendly as prices start at just £14.00 an item. We love the Sculpted Tee for its top score on the comfortability scale and its’ soft, stretchy fabric. The Tee is white with black leather detailing around the neck line and pocket, giving it a sophisticated, biker-chic look. Pair it with some jeans to grab a coffee with a friend or, if you’re like us, throw it over your gym kit after your pilates class for an on the go workout-chic outfit!

COMPETITION TIME!

Be in with the chance of winning an exclusive style session in a Dorothy Perkins store plus £350 to spend on your new AW13    wardrobe. You have to be a UK resident – so if you are click the link here for more details: http://www.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/category/style-essentials-competition-2201575/home?intcmpid=rREDIRECTstyleessentialscompetition

 

Check out this vid with super-chic InStyle Fashion Director, Natalie:


Body Love/Hate Relationship: Even wellness warriors have body hang ups, but they also have parts they love…

Body Love/Hate Relationship

Love or hate

Think you are the only one that has a love/hate relationship with your body? Think again. Even those working in the health and fitness industry, drinking from the goodness guru cup daily, have things that they are not keen on about themselves. We find out what these wellness warriors both hate and love about their bodies…

abigail james

Abigail James, Expert Skincare Specialist, http://www.abigailjames.com

I love my hair. I am really low maintenance when it comes to hair and I love the just got out of bed look, which my hair seems to do quite well, I get it cut and coloured only 2 -3 times a year, its fine textured but a lot of it with a tiny bit of natural wave and bounce so easy to curl and big it up or go real straight, and I actually quite like its natural colour.

I dislike my Legs – I suffer from varicose veins, which is so unsightly, obviously 3 children will have contributed and also genetics, but I am prone to bad circulation as well so all round the legs generally remain covered up.

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Emma Coleman, Founder Inner-Soul – www.inner-soul.co.uk 

I have always been fascinated by my feet (don’t laugh!) because they remain in good condition all by themselves most of the time, taking me wherever I need to go. They also have direct links to other parts of the body via the nervous system and meridian lines, and I used reflexology during each of my labours, which genuinely helped to move things along.

I am not too keen on my under eye baggage, which I have inherited from my mum and her mum; I get dark circles especially in the winter, but have learned that diet can affect how they look so try to eat lots of fruit and veg and not so much caffeine and cheese! I plan one day to develop an organic and natural product just for keeping this area looking its best.

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Natasha Davey owner Raw to Door – www.rawtodoor.com 

After years of being a model, my main issue and what I don’t like too much is my boobs! I wish they were tiny like Alexa Chung’s so that I could wear shirts done up to the top and Peter Pan collars. Most fashion styles that I like call for tiny boobs.

I do, however, like my eyes as they are very blue and clear (due to my raw diet) and I would say that it is this that I am complemented mostly on. The eyes are the window to the soul after-all.

JK Approved

Jane Kersel, International Coach, Therapist and Yoga Teacher, www.janekersel.com

Pre-yoga I pretty much hated everything about my body. I believed that you had to be beautiful to be loved. I was a gawky teenager and although I was aware I had something, I couldn’t see it and I would always compare myself to other women and wish I had big boobs and long legs.

Post-yoga I am much more loving and accepting of myself. Although I still have a part of me that buys into all of the above, it’s an old part of me. I think for many of us (especially women) this stuff is ingrained into our DNA. I teach supermodels and although they are stunning like thoroughbred horses, they too have doubts and fears of ageing. But I can honestly say that now that I don’t compare and judge myself against other people. I truly love every part of me inside and out now. My body has become my best friend… And what I’ve noticed is the more I unconditionally love it and appreciate it and give thanks for it the more it glows and the healthier it feels.

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Claire Neill, Founder of Radiance Cleanse, www.radiancecleanse.com

Growing up I didn’t like my legs as they are short and I have chunky thighs, plus my brother would tease me about having fat knees!  I have over the years grown to see that they have their advantages.  My thighs are strong which has given me strength and stability, which has been great for all the tennis matches I play!

However, I count myself as very lucky that I have pretty good skin. I do think it is partly good genes, but I’m also convinced that it’s also due to my diet (including lots of green juices!) and the fact that I’m careful about using organic skincare and make up.

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Alice Mackintosh, Nutritionist, The Food Doctor, http://www.thefooddoctor.com  

I hate my height. Being just shy of 6ft is pretty tall for a lady and whilst I do love it sometimes, practically it really can be a total a pain in the arse. This is especially the case when buying clothes… Proportions are generally longer and wider meaning that things just don’t fit in the way that you want them to. The day I find a jumpsuit that doesn’t give me a camel toe whilst swinging around my ankles will be a very happy one!

I love my skin. Whilst I don’t always believe that weight is an outward manifestation of being healthy, I do believe that skin can be. Before I discovered nutrition I had horrid skin – spotty, patchy and dull. One of the first things that changed when I started eating well was that my skin transformed. This happened within the space of months; the better I felt inside, the better my skin was. Glowing, dewey, plump skin is a sign that what is going on inside is as good as it looks from the outside. Nothing superficial about it!