Healthy challenge – 2 weeks in…

Healthy writer, Hannah Fox, wants to tone up, get fit, and lose a few pounds in time for summer. Follow her story as she attempts the Healthy Challenge, with the help of Maxitone and I.N.C Space fitness centre…

So, I’ve been on my challenge for almost two weeks now, and things are going well. The nutrition plan that Gwen Fitzpatrick from Maxitone created from me is pleasantly varied and filling. I’m enjoying the sweet potatoes, grilled salmon and turkey bolognese (you wouldn’t know it was turkey – just very tasty). The biggest revelation has been that I actually like cottage cheese! For years I’ve derided it as being weirdly white and watery, but chop a few chives or spring onions into it and plonk it on an oatcake and it’s great (and very low fat). As for snacks, I’m loving the Definity Crisp bars – they taste like a typical yogurt-style cereal bar but are really low fat and filling. The Definity shakes are also quite tasty – I usually have one after a workout or when I’ve been to hockey as it helps with recovery and toning. My biggest challenge with food is when I eat out or go for dinner at a friend, as it can be quite hard to resist naughty treats or sharing a bottle of wine.
I had my first session with Jacqueline Harvey, the Health Director at I.N.C Space last Saturday and she carried out some tests to find out my fitness levels. The first thing she did was get me running on the treadmill….for 45 minutes!!! I have to say, I have never run for that long in one go in my life! While I run around a lot with hockey, it’s very much a quick burst of speed when you have the ball, and then you slow down when the ball isn’t near you. When I’ve been on a treadmill in the past, I honestly thought 20 minutes running was my absolute max, but here I was running at a decent pace for 45 minutes, for over 5km. It was a real eye-opener and made me feel really positive about the Challenge as it shows I can do more if I really push myself. Having Jacqueline there to encourage me helped too! I also went on the stepper machine, which is great for the bum, and did some sit-ups and stretches. I was exhausted by the end of it.
The key now is to keep this level of activity up, and to build on it. I’m going skiing in just over a week, so I’ve been doing lunges and squats at my other gym sessions to try and strengthen my thighs and bum in preparation. Hopefully, my fitness levels will be at a good level so I can bomb down the mountain-side without getting tired…

For more information on Maxitone, visit www.maxitone.com.
For more information on I.N.C. Space, visit www.inc-space.com.
Jacqueline Harvey is founder of Crystal Clear Health. Visit www.crystalclearhealth.co.uk for more info.

To read Hannah’s previous blog post, click here.