Kickstart 6 Week Programme
It started…..
So 7 weeks ago I was feeling pressurised, bloated, tired and my skin was full of break-outs which could consist of 7 YES I said 7 spots on my nose alone. One evening, as I was doing a class in Kickstart, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I didn’t like what I saw (I just looked unhealthy) so after the class on the spur of a moment decision I signed up to the 6 week body transformation programme. I had done it 2 years previous and loved it but this time I really needed to make some changes.
Firstly let me say my goal was not to lose bucket loads of weight, this 6 week programme was about me investing some time and energy into myself, the build up to what led me to the decision to commit to the 6 weeks was months of being extremely busy, not eating properly, training but because my nutrition wasn’t right I wasn’t getting the proper benefits and I also felt a bit down in the dumps like I was taking part in life but not being present.
The Intro……
So on a Friday evening to begin we had our introduction evening, we were given our food plan, weighed, measured and had the option to get before pictures taken. Darren talked us through the plan, answered any questions we had about the next 6 weeks but most important of all he ignited a fire in our bellies to succeed. This programme isn’t about vanity it’s about health and wellbeing. When I got weighed I was at the heaviest weight I had been for years, I know I’m not overweight as such but it was confirmation to me that I had not been feeding my body like I should and one thing that I always preach is you are what you eat.
Prep………
Saturday armed with my shopping list I bought an abundance of fresh veg, herbs, spices and meats. Tom even remarked how nice it was to look into a fridge filled with fresh unprocessed foods.
Sunday evening was food prep. I put aside 2 hours to get jiggy in the kitchen. That evening I prepped foods for 2 weeks. To make it easy on myself I bought the disposable takeaway food containers and labelled each with what day of the plan and what food it contained. I can’t explain the feeling of satisfaction I got from seeing all of my food prepped and ready to go. Just to note not all meals can be prepped in advance but over 50% can be so this covered breakfasts, lunches and some dinners. Being prepared is the No. 1 most important factor when it comes to successfully making good food decisions.
The Food ……..
The booklet which became like another limb for me I carried it with me everywhere was jam full of really nice food options. Lately I had lost myself in a cycle of processed foods and skipped meals. I had forgotten that it isn’t actually that time-consuming or difficult to prepare and dish up food from scratch. I had also forgotten how good, real food can taste. There were lots of great recipes my favourite being the Kickstart Satay Chicken it is the tops.
Training
My PT sessions were Monday and Wednesday at 7.30pm. Each week we tracked our progress, the 4 exercises that we measured our performance on were Squats, Hip Press, Split Squats and Deadlifts. There was also some conditioning added into the sessions. As well as the 2 PT sessions a week, we were also given access to all classes in Kickstart. During the 6 weeks I attended the gym approx. 4 times a week.
My journey ……
Week 1
I was feeling really motivated ready to take on the world. My food was prepped and I was hyped. Squating is an exercise I am particularly weak at, Gareth took the time to dissect the exercise and coach me on how to do it properly, I started off this week by Squatting 20kg x 8, Hip Pressed 40kg x 12, Deadlift 50kg x 8 and Split Squat 7.5kg x 8.
By the end of week 1 I was feeling the benefits of drinking extra water and eating regularly and unprocessed. My skin was breakout free.
Week 2
Still feeling motivated – I went to Amsterdam with Tom, ate really well but i couldn’t follow the exact plan but stuck to chicken and veg or steak and veg. I didn’t have deserts and we walked the legs off ourselves for the weekend so I don’t think I did any damage. I did have a few G&T’s but I didn’t go mad.
I started off this week by Squatting 30kg x 8, Hip Pressed 60kg x 10, Deadlift 60kg x 8 and Split Squat 7.5kg x 8.
Week 3
Still feeling good, really enjoying the food. With silly season approaching I find myself choosing not to drink alcohol at events, because I am feeling so good, my skin is looking really good and breakout free I am conscious not to mess it up. My motivation is still high
I started off this week by Squatting 30kg x 8, Hip Pressed 60kg x 10, Deadlift 70kg x 8 and Split Squat 10kg x 8.
Week 4
My hardest week, I felt a bit tired and out of sorts, it was nothing to do with the plan, in fact it was other pressures I was defo feeling out of sorts, I had my Breast Cancer Ireland Xmas lunch (the highlight of my yearly social calendar) , my work Xmas party and we went to see my niece in a pantomime, but it ended up that I didn’t go to the work Xmas party and I didn’t drink at the Xmas lunch and at the panto there was no temptation, so all was good. In one of my PT sessions Darren immediately asked was I ok as he knew I was dipping, he is so intuitive when it comes to his clients. He could see I needed a bit of a boost and I have to say leaving the class I felt perked up, he is a brilliant motivator.
I started off this week by Squatting 45kg x 8, Hip Pressed 70kg x 10, Deadlift 70kg x 8 and Split Squat 8kg x 8.
Week 5
This week I was sick on Monday and Tuesday but because I had my food prepped I managed to stay on plan. I had to reschedule my PT sessions to Wednesday and Thursday , I wasn’t feeling very strong Darren took the Wednesday PT and he worked me without putting too much pressure on me.
I started off this week by Squatting 45kg x 8, Hip Pressed 70kg x 10, Deadlift 50kg x 8 and Split Squat 10kg x 8.
Week 6
My final week, I can’t believe it finally arrived, looking back over the past six weeks, I am proud at how disciplined I was. I resisted temptation on several occasions and I reaped the rewards. Before I start talking about the measured changes that were accomplished. I will speak about the other benefits I got from this programme. My skin is honestly after improving so much. Before I started this programme I was at my wit’s end with recurring breakouts, I was blaming Tamoxifen for this but when I changed my food my skin problems seriously disappeared. The removal of processed and sugary foods made such a difference. My mood improved, I felt more upbeat, less tired and I really felt for the most part that I had a little pep in my step.
By week 6 the best weights I had lifted were Squatting 50kg x 4 i was really happy with this improvement as this exercise was always a something I was weak at. Hip Press 90kg x 4, Deadlift 95kg x 2 and Split Squat 12kg x 8 – each personal best felt like a mini victory for me and what I achieved was slow steady progress under the strict guidance of Darren & Gareth who are 2 of the nicest guys and best trainers I have ever encountered.
The results
My measurements
| Before
|
After
|
| Weight 8 st 8 lb
Stomach 29 inches Chest 34 inches Hips 35.5 inches Thighs 20 inches Calves 12 inches Biceps 10.5 inches
|
Weight 8 st 1 lb
Stomach 26 inches Chest 33 inches Hips 34.5 inches Thighs 19 inches Calves 12 inches Biceps 9.5 inches
|
So in total my losses were 7lb in Weight and 9 inches. So that just blasted my notions that Tamoxifen made it impossible to loose weight, it doesn’t but it does take commitment and determination. For over a year now I have for the most part felt very bloated in the stomach area this has improved greatly. Getting into the habit of prepping meals takes a bit of getting used to but the benefits of eating a proper diet make it all worth the effort. The healthy habits I have picked up from this programme will stay with me. I also have upped my water intake to 3 litres a day which it great. The girls who took part in the group I was in were so lovely they all did brilliantly and were great craic, i want to give a special mention to Jean and Olivia we had a few lols along the way and i look forward to seeing you in class xxx
About Kickstart
I have been a member for over 2 years. I had heard great things about this gym but was hesitant to join as I felt everyone would be superfit and I wouldn’t fit in or be able for the training. A friend convinced me to try a class, I then signed up for a 6 week programme November 2 years ago and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The trainers are total professionals they really know their stuff, they love what they do and it shows, but most importantly they are so in touch with members that they are intuitive to members needs for example when someone may need a bit of extra encouragement or if they aren’t as upbeat as normal, it would not be unusual for a trainer to notice and ask how you are nothing really goes unnoticed. When you do a class you walk out feeling like you really worked your body. There is a beginners programme which is excellent for people who have no experience but want to give it a try. The atmosphere is welcoming, encouraging and most of all everyone feels like they belong. There is onsite childcare which I find brilliant Mandy and Sarah are just angels and all the kids just love them, it just removes the stress of having to find a babysitter to facilitate your training.
To get intouch with the lads in Kickstart for more information https://www.kickstartfitness.ie/#/
