Life Challenge preparation week

Louisa Wilkins

The times they are a changin’… I don’t know when it started, but for as long as I can remember I’ve been a Yes Girl. Do you want to go out tomorrow night? Yes. Even though you are dog-tired and have to get up early in the morning? Still yes. I know you have children and animals coming out of your ears, but any chance you can take my two dogs as well? Certainly. Can you give me a lift to Abu Dhabi so I can buy a pint of my favourite brand of milk? Of course – how about I make some sandwiches and a mix-tape for the journey? My father has always said to me, “Honey, ‘No’ is one of the shortest words in the English language and, unfortunately, one of the least used. You need to learn to just say ‘No’.” I hear you, Dad. But it just isn’t that simple.

My standard ‘yes’ mode is not out of a desire to sample every experience life has to offer (although these traits do seem to be mutualistic), it is simply a byproduct of not wanting to say ‘No’. And this aversion to politely declining invitations and suggestions has led to a somewhat manic and stressful lifestyle, where I double-book (and sometimes treble-book) my evenings and weekends with social events, activities, gatherings, cups of tea, play dates and more, at the sacrifice of spending quality downtime with my kids, by myself, sleeping, eating, and generally chilling out.

While I am looking forward to learning how to eat better for my lifestyle from nutritionist Sarah Queen and how to maximise my workouts and fitness with Core Direction, the aspect of the Life Challenge I think I need most in my life right now is the life coaching from Shana Kad. So far I’ve had two sessions with Shana and the turn-around has been incredible. In the last week, I’ve spent more time at home, got more sleep and been more relaxed than I have in years. And we’re still only on day two of the Life Challenge. I think there are a lot of changes on the horizon. Watch this space…

Charlene Stubbs

So, the challenge has begun. In preparation, we spent a week keeping food diaries for nutritionist, Sarah Queen, and also visited the Dubai Herbal & Treatment Centre for a Body Analysis Composition (BAC). The BAC results didn’t throw up too many surprises – I’m in the ‘normal’ range for most of the areas tested, but my fat ratio is bigger than my muscle mass. I could also do with dropping a few kilos – I’m currently 70kg, with an ideal weight of 66.5kg. And after keeping a food diary for a week, it’s been easy to identify where those extra kilos come from. Not being organised means that I tend to think about food when I’m actually hungry, which in turn means I reach for convenience.

Actually writing down what you consume over a week is a real eye opener – my intake of calories swings massively from day to day. Seeing how much alcohol I drink has also been a slap in the face. What I considered normal – a few glasses of wine with dinner (every night!) and drinks with friends at the weekend – actually sends my calorie count into freefall. But, what’s more worrying is that I’m essentially throwing away calories on wine that I should be getting from food. It’s no wonder I’m so tired and drained of energy.

After reviewing my food diary, Sarah came up with a great eating plan, which still includes plenty of foods that I love. I have various meal options, which even includes eating carbs in the evening. Yes carbs!! After my first week, just by making a few simple changes – ie, eating breakfast before I leave the house, adding healthy snacks to my day, and curbing my wine intake – I’ve already noticed a drastic change in my energy levels. I also don’t feel deprived. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I wouldn’t love a chocolate Hobnob with a cuppa every afternoon, but a treat should be just that, and if I want my body to be healthy, then I have to make smart (read: nutritious) choices.

I also met with NLP life coach, Shana Kad, who is taking us through a personal breakthrough journey. Before my first session I was nervous. I’ve never had any kind of counselling before and I’m not big on dredging up the past. In my first session, which lasted three hours, Shana could obviously tell by my body language that I was anxious, but I soon relaxed and was totally amazed at what came out of my mouth, and what my unconscious mind was telling me.

We discussed my life goals and I learnt some hard truths about myself and my behaviour. But rather than reject them, I felt like it was quite easy to say ‘yes, I do that’. The feeling of taking ownership of your behaviour is incredible and I already feel like I’ve learnt so much about myself. Now that I know why I do things, it feels like a huge weight has been lifted.

After this first week I’m feeling very positive about the life challenge, especially after getting such quick results already! Now, it’s about putting it all into place. Watch this space…

Kate Birch

I’ve always loved a challenge, so when the opportunity arose to create, and participate in, our very own Aquarius Life Challenge, it was game on with a capital G. That’s not to say I wasn’t wary (‘how will I fit it all in?’; ‘will I become a different person?’; ‘am I wasting my time?’), but the possible pros - a healthier mind, body and soul - quite simply outweighed the potential cons - a packed schedule, food cravings, a few tears. After all, what woman doesn’t want to be healthier, happier and maybe a tad bit skinnier?

And that’s what this journey is all about: becoming happier and healthier in body and mind through smart and sustainable lifestyle changes: changes that may appear small, but will ultimately make a big difference to how we feel, how we behave, and even how we think about ourselves and others.

After a super-packed week of prep work (keeping food diaries; meeting with nutritionist Sarah Queen; undertaking a Body Analysis Composition and an initial three-hour NLP Personal Breakthrough Journey session with Shana Kad) I’m ready for the two months ahead – some dedicated but sensible fitness, some healthier food choices, and some awareness of myself and my goals.

So far, so healthy. I’ve already learned some fascinating facts: I can eat carbs in the evening, despite the ‘diet people’ who tell you not to; variety of exercise is more important than amount of exercise; and seeing faults in others often means you yourself have those faults.

I’ve also made some interesting discoveries about myself (though, in retrospect they they were obvious): I’ve been substituting coffee for food; I have a spiritual side which isn’t being realised; and I can’t sleep simply because I’m not getting enough nutrients.

Though obvious, it’s amazing how the simple acts of keeping a food diary and talking your emotions through with a life coach can make you conscious of so many things, which in turn, has a positive effect on the changes you make. Being aware is the first step to changing for the positive, and I can already feel myself doing just that. Watch this space…