A Letter to Newbies – From Liz Hirst

Dear Newbies,

You, like me, might be feeling stuck in a bit of a rut. When I first started this programme I was frustrated. Frustrated with dieting, frustrated with trying to fit in exercise but never seeming to find the time and frustrated with the amount of money I seemed to be spending on food. I didn’t feel like I was eating especially badly but my energy levels weren’t great and although I wasn’t exactly overweight, my pre-children body seemed like a distant memory of the past. I was carrying about half a stone more than I was comfortable with. This may not sound like a huge amount but it had a big impact of my self esteem and just seemed almost impossible to shift.

So when the opportunity arose to sign up to Nutrition@ClubTowers’ Habit-based Nutrition & Lifestyle Coaching Programme I thought ‘why not’? I didn’t really know anything about the programme. I had a basic understanding of nutrition, knew I should be eating more fruit and less chocolate, and that undoubtably I should be drinking less wine. On a whim I signed up.

What a journey it has been. I totally underestimated how much I would learn about myself along the way, and how that knowledge was totally key to changing my habits for good. The daily lessons and habits provided just enough guidance to keep me on track but still allowed me to eat out, meet friends for drinks and continue to enjoy life.

The results? I am leaner, more confident in my own skin and genuinely make better nutritional choices everyday without even thinking about it. I have found a renewed love for exercise, fruit and cooking – things I always felt I had to do but never really enjoyed. What’s more is the impact it has had on my mental state – I am not only stronger physically but mentally too.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I haven’t stuck to every habit religiously. I still eat too much chocolate, drink too much wine and love a good takeaway. The difference is, I don’t beat myself up for it. Aside from the nutrition lessons, this coaching programme teaches some good coping mechanisms to help beat the endless cycle of eating too much, feeling bad and so eating more.  

My advice? Give it a go! This programme works for me because it’s not about focusing on the macro; ‘I need to lose weight’. Instead it’s about focusing on making tiny changes everyday to be that little bit better. I have learned how to better prioritise my time so making healthy choices becomes easy and natural. The planner in me absolutely loves spending a little time each Sunday planning and prepping for the week ahead. What’s more is that my whole family are benefiting; we eat together more, enjoy cooking together and are the heathiest I’ve known us in a long time.

I still have a way to go on my journey but if it has taught me nothing else; I now know I am capable of a lot more than I imagined and will continue practicing my habits long after the programme ends.

Yours,

Liz

(This letter was written in April 2020)

Would you like some help to become the healthiest version of you?

Most people know that regular movement, eating well, sleep and stress management are important, yet many need help applying this knowledge in the context of busy and sometimes stressful lives.

That’s why we now offer nutrition based services at Club Towers, available to members and non-members. Using the proven curriculum & resources of Precision Nutrition (PN) and delivered by our in-house PN Level-2 Certified Coach, our goal is to help our members and the wider community to achieve sustainable vitality through healthy nutrition and lifestyle habits…….whatever challenges you may be dealing with.

This is offered in three ways, a habit-based nutrition & lifestyle coaching programme, 1-1 consultation sessions and Information Hub.

To find out more about how we can help you, book a 20-minute consultation (free for all members) with our Coach, Ann Towers at [email protected].