Last week we met our candidate Edelle O’Brien from Caherdavin who was on a big detox rejuvenation from the inside out with the Ultimate Health Clinic. This week she also started her tough training regime with personal trainer Dave Sheahan
“Hello again everybody. This week I have to tell you about the world of Dave Sheehan’s Gym.
You may have guessed from last week’s excerpt on my transformation that, besides rugby, I don’t do much exercise. I personally HATE the gym. I think they smell, they are full of ‘skinny malinkies’ and staff that I always felt judged me. Dave’s gym is very different. Every shape of person is here, from every age group, and they have very helpful staff. SERIOUSLY!
I met Dave after work on the Tuesday and brought with me a list of the foods I used to eat – mostly made of taytos funnily enough and of course the list of my new food intake. Dave himself is a very charismatic, knowledgeable guy and most importantly he really makes you feel that anything is possible – you just know you’re in good hands! He weighed me, took measurements and checked body fat with some kind of pinchy thing. Dave asked me what I wanted to achieve and I said that ‘I want to play rugby for the next few years and obviously try and change my shape to a smaller less roundy one’, he nodded at me as if this is no problem and, guess what, I totally believe him. Then we go straight to the dreaded treadmill.
“I am not naturally drawn to the treadmill but as Dave says, it’s not like I’m going to be rowing or cycling on the pitch! I do some fast walking to jogging to running… You cannot care what you look like at this point, and all the while Dave is beside me encouraging me and in control of speeds etc. From the treadmill we move on to weights which I’m not too bad at – good to know seeing as I’m a prop! (my position on the field for any non-rugby following readers) I will be visiting the gym now every week for four days. Two with Dave and two with just me and the lovely treadmill! When I write it like that it doesn’t sound so bad – and hey, I’m doing it!! So far Dave is really nice and encouraging. The gym itself is clean, everyone is really friendly, genuine and helpful (especially to the silly girl who couldn’t start the treadmill on her own …stop laughing… it was embarrassing!)
“The good and the bad news now in food land. This week I was allowed more food yippee!! Or so I thought. I replaced one of my meals (lunch was the easiest) with a smoothie. I was to have 80 per cent from alkaline foods such as more veggies, skim milk, much more fruit (except bananas) and seeds. Then other 20 per cent then was from a list of acid foods like red meat and some fish for example are considered acidic but at least I could have more flavours, spices and garlic! You may notice I used the word ‘seeds’, just a little word, they themselves are only small, but they should come with a big calorie warning sign! I shall explain: I did not lose an ounce this week, and it was all because of seeds! On my list seeds such as pumpkin, sunflower, sesame etc. are mentioned so as I am such a good girl I was having them on everything. Sesame seeds on my porridge, a handful of sunflower, sesame, pumpkin and linseed in my smoothies, and loads more in my salads for the week thinking I was awesome! Guess what? It was possibly the worst thing I could have done. Let’s say I’m allowed 1500 calories a day, the seeds I was eating are worth around 1800 in total! Add them all together and it makes a lot of calories – and makes me not very bright!! When I told Caroline and Lisa at the UHC they found it very amusing, and when they eventually stopped laughing and we decided to go again with the list of foods. Two to three carbohydrates a day and I am still going to replace a meal with a smoothie and eat mostly fresh veg and fruit.
“This week, after all that, I was in for a little TLC however. I had a deep abdominal massage which sounds like it should hurt a little but I have to say it doesn’t at all. It is intense but not uncomfortable. It lasts about 30-45 minutes and it is all based on your tummy, hence its name. The relaxation feeling afterwards alone is worth it – mix that with your tummy being flatter and the massage could become addictive. I am now also on digestive enzymes which will actually help with my day-to-day digestion. As usual the girls are supportive, especially after the amusement at my seeds story! Now you may laugh… Talk to you next week when I have to leave the comfort of my own kitchen…”
Read more about Edelle’s ongoing transformation next week.
