Inspiring Wellness Success Story 12

Simple, regular healthy lifestyle changes lead to energy, enthusiasm and results.

Next up in our series of success stories from our programmes, a fantastic example of how simple changes to regular habits can make a world of difference to how you feel every day.

Here’s the latest case study:

• The date of the wellness programme you attended   September 2011

• The lifestyle changes you made during programme   Began eating breakfast and taking sport in the morning and almost every day

• The lifestyle changes you made following programme    Today I have a more diversified and complete breakfast than before the program; during the working days I get up 35 minutes earlier and do my exercise almost every morning; on the weekends I attend a Pilates class; most weekends I practice Golf as well. As a consequence of all this I go to bed approx. 1 hour earlier than before (during working days).

• The secrets of your success with wellness       Including Pilates it in my daily routine: today I consider my morning Pilates at the same level as shaving or taking a shower, obligatory things that happen every day. Also having chosen a very professional Pilates gymnasium for the weekends offering a high level of training that gives me enthusiasm to keep on practicing during the week. Better breakfast makes me feel better during the morning, no doubts.

• What advice that you received made the greatest impact on you?      Changes are always possible, just need to do it with common sense and go for it, adapting your sport programs to your physical capabilities.

• The biggest benefits of making your lifestyle changes?    More energy for the day; feel better with my body (less pains here and there).

• When wellness is working for you, what are the key elements that make the difference?      Early going to bed, a good breakfast, daily exercise, quality of the exercise (adapted to yourself and your aims).

Read the previous instalment of our inspiring wellness success stories here

Order your copy of “Successful Corporate Wellbeing Programmes: How to create a dynamic, energised and engaged workforce and boost business results” from our website today.

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Inspiring Wellness Success Stories 10

'Stopping caffeine has helped my sleeping immeasurably'

Our latest success story illustrates how small, simple steps with wellness changes and a bit of planning can have dramatic and lasting effects.

Here's the story:

• The date of the wellness programme you attended:

June 2012

• The lifestyle changes you made during programme:

During the programme stopped caffeine, focussed on eating and drinking the “right” foods and drink to try and maintain equilibrium with my energy levels and improved hydration

• The lifestyle changes you made following programme:

Maintained a caffeine free status and although there have been some ups and downs in terms of diet still taking regular exercise with a half and full marathon planned this year

• The secrets of your success with wellness:

Having a written out plan, and regular times for exercise thought through in advance

• What advice that you received made the greatest impact on you?

Finding out how different food categories altered your blood sugar levels and therefore, your energy

• The biggest benefits of making your lifestyle changes?

Stopping caffeine has helped my sleeping immeasurably

• When wellness is working for you, what are the key elements that make the difference?  

Having breakfast, having healthy snack options when hungry and routine around when I exercise

  
Read the previous instalment of our inspiring wellness success stories

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3 Simple Ways to Boost Energy

There are moments in any working day when things can feel tough.  Getting the food routine right can really make a huge positive difference for everyone when it comes to how you feel able to cope with any challenge.  

Here are three key things to think about:

1. You've heard it many times but that's because it really matters.  Eat breakfast.  Choose porridge with blueberries and a sprinkling of nuts or seeds.  A great way to kick-start your day for maximum energy.  Oats are high in calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin E, B vitamins and protein.  So as well as helping improve your skin, oats are brilliant for those suffering from tiredness.  Blueberries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants to boost your immune system.

2. When you need to top up the energy levels, reach for fresh fruit with a spoonful of low fat, low sugar yoghurt and a sprinkling of seeds.  The protein in the seeds and the yoghurt will slow the energy release of the fruit keeping you going for longer.

3. A perfect energy boosting meal is wholemeal rice with oily fish and vegetables.  The vegetables will provide plenty of vitamins and minerals to help your body function effectively. Brown rice also provides great energy while cleansing your digestive system to help you process all food efficiently and turn it into effective fuel.  Oily fish helps keep your brain alert and sharp.

These options require minimal planning but can increase effectiveness and enjoyment of the entire day.  As an added bonus, a day of eating well will also help you sleep better and boost your energy for the following day.

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Inspiring Wellness Success Stories 5

Increased confidence, better sleep, 50 pounds weight loss, and a trendy new wardrobe.

Next in our series of success stories, read the tale of one male executive who invested in simple wellness changes and reaped enormous benefits.  Here's how he did it:

• The date of the wellness programme you attended

February 2010.

• The lifestyle changes you made during programme

Gave up coffee, eat breakfast regularly and take more exercise.

• The lifestyle changes you made following programme

The three above were probably enough, but generally watch what I eat more.

• The secrets of your success with wellness

Will power.

• What advice that you received made the greatest impact on you?

Skipping breakfast is not sensible – the body needs energy and keeping yourself going with caffeine is not sustainable.

• The biggest benefits of making your lifestyle changes?

More self-confident having lost about 50lbs and can now get into some trendier clothes – last time I wore 34” jeans I was not even a teenager…………

• Anything that got in the way of success with wellness

Lack of Time – but that’s just a lame excuse. Wellness has certainly got in the way of watching TV!

• When wellness is working for you, what are the key elements that make the difference?  

Exercise, healthy diet and not too much alcohol combining to ensure many a good night’s sleep!

Read the previous instalment of our Inspiring Wellness Success Stories.

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Start the day right

Run before breakfast and you could burn up to 20% more body fat, according to research from Northumbria University.

Scientists sought to find out whether the benefits of exercising on an empty stomach were offset by extra calories being consumed later in the day.  They discovered that those who had exercised in the morning did not consume additional calories to compensate for their activity, and they burned more fat than those who exercised after breakfast.*

This is useful to know but there are two things to remember:

1) A small breakfast prior to exercise could help you work out for longer or with greater intensity, increasing your fat burn yet further

2) If you ensure your workout schedule is regular, you'll be an efficient fat burner whatever time of day you find to exercise

So, if you really want maximum fat burning, check your schedule to accommodate exercise every 2-3 days and work hard during each training session.

*Source Women's Running Magazine

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