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Why did you choose a Health Coach over a Personal Trainer?

I am a busy working mum of three and I don’t have the time or the inclination to attend gyms. I chose a health coach over a regular personal trainer as I wanted to learn things that I can do in my own home and outside so I can carry on with training on my own in the future.

I wanted to learn exactly how exercise works and know that what I am doing is the most effective method for achieving my goals. I am also aware that to change your body shape which is honestly what I want to do is 30% exercise and 70% of what actually goes in your mouth!

I am sick of dieting and attending weight management classes. I want to change my eating habits so I can fit them in with my family and also make big changes to my family’s eating and lifestyle so my children will not grow up with the same food issues that I had.

What were your expectations or goals?

Playing in a play gym with my small boys I felt lethargic and struggled to get out of a ball pool. I felt awful like a “dumpy unfit mum”. I was aware that I was unfit and not great with my eating so wanted someone who could look after every aspect, someone to look after me and not try to train me like an athlete. I wanted to change my lifestyle; I wasn’t training for a marathon.

I want to be fit. Bounce around with my children, keep up with them and be a positive role model to them.

I also want something for me, I want to be happy with my body shape. Weight is a difficult one, I of course want to lose weight but I don’t quite know how much. I want to be a size 10 and I am currently a 14.

...and in reality?

The exercise I have gotten into. I still need Matt to keep me going at the moment as it’s not totally instilled in me yet. However I am truly surprised at how well I am doing and Matt does tell me I really push myself which is really good to hear! The food is taking me a little longer but then I have 36 years of food habits to change but I will change it and I will change it for my children.

What have you achieved?

My biggest achievement is actually doing something about it. I have never exercised since leaving school and have joined many gyms but given up very quickly as I just didn’t know what I was doing and didn’t have the time to attend. I now know what I am doing and concentrate on doing these things right. Matt has taught me its quality not quantity and 30 mins good quality is worth 1 ½ hours messing at a gym.

Since starting with Matt I have dropped a dress size through changes in body shape. My weight has been slow but that’s because I wasn’t watching and making the changes like I should with my food. However Matt has helped me with this and stepped things up a gear. I am now doing really well losing 5 ½ pounds in one week!

So, what are your future goals?

I am getting fitter day by day.I still need the push from Matt as exercise is just not my bag (yet). My diet is a big thing for me. Matt is helping me change the way I think and respond to food I consume.

My biggest future goal is to go it alone…. My ideal would be to just see Matt once a month to give me a really good check in. For Matt to look at my food diaries and tell me how I am doing, and to give me a really strong fitness check so he can assess that I have been completing my exercise program.

What keeps you motivated?

Matt’s words more than anything.“Nicola you really do push yourself” this is great to hear when you are really feeling it or feeling you’re not great at something. “Come on just one more” when you really feel you cant he says it with an up beat not a shout and you do one more I don’t know where it comes from but it does.

What is/was the hardest part of the journey?

Food, food, food. I have to think and think hard about what I eat.I am diabetic so I actually know a lot about food but what I do know Matt could double. He is really helping me with exactly what I need. Some people might just want a gentle push? I have asked to be policed and write food diaries, Matt does what works for me. That’s great for me and keeps me going.

If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?

Be honest; when you’re struggling tell Matt, he helps. It’s not about admitting failure it’s asking for a hand, a great comment or a push

What would you say to those thinking about calling?

Call, I was really nervous…. Never done anything before and I thought I was going to be embarrassed and just prove myself to be the most unfit person in the entire world. That was not the case and Matt has a wonderful manner in making you feel good about yourself, it was a great first conversation.

It’s also a financial thought, I was thinking how am I going to afford this long term? However Matt is quite honest that you need to be able to go it alone, so my goal is, when its instilled in me, to have health checks with Matt once a month, which is something I can commit to long term.