So, we’re already at the halfway point of our #MyChallenge campaign — which means that our 4 brave volunteers have made it through 4 weeks of intense physical training and nutrition plans.
For our global social media manager, Alice Dempsey, that’s involved a unique fitness programme of ice skating with Dancing On Ice professional Sylvain Longchambon, strength workouts in the gym, and a low-calorie meal plan.
We caught up with her to find out how she was coping with all the change.
What’s been the hardest part so far?
The hardest part for me so far has been the nutrition plan. Before this 8 week challenge I never used to eat a lot of food, but what I ate would be unhealthy food.
My nutrition plan is seeing me eat much more food quantity-wise and I’ve struggled to get all of the food into the day. I find it hard to eat when I’m not hungry, especially food that I’m not necessarily excited to eat as well.
I got a bit of a telling off from a couple of the girls at the office because I wasn’t eating enough — averaging about 500-600 calories a day — so I’ve been really pushing myself to follow my nutrition plan and give my body the energy and fuel it needs in order to do well.
It was also quite hard when Sylvain went on holiday (I’m only 99% jealous), because this meant I was going to the rink on my own for a few sessions. I got easily frustrated with myself because I didn’t know if I was doing anything right or not so I was beating myself up about it.
He’s back now though, and we’re skating even more than before so it won’t be long until I’m feeling more confident again.
What’s surprised you the most about this challenge?
Probably how much I genuinely am enjoying the gym and the ice skating. I’ve never gone to the gym consistently, it would always be here and there and I’d give up after a week or two. Now that I’m in a routine of training, both in the gym and on the ice, it’s not been hard work to get up and go!
I love how it feels after completing a hard session, I feel like I’ve genuinely accomplished something and I can’t wait to get back to it the next day.
Are you looking forward to the next 4 weeks?
These next 4 weeks is probably going to be where it becomes the hardest — it’s crunch time!
I’ve really got to focus on the end routine and just keep practising. I want to do my absolute best and I can’t wait for my friends and family to see what I’ve achieved over the 8 weeks.
What one piece of advice would you want to go back and give yourself when you started?
The advice I would have given myself is just to really throw yourself into this challenge – which I think I have. I think that’s been the key to enjoying it and seeing results.
At no point has any of this been a chore or something I’ve not wanted to do, and a lot of that requires me to be self-motivated and push myself through it.
What have you enjoyed the most about this experience so far?
What I’ve enjoyed the most is just how much I think this challenge will have changed my lifestyle after the 8 weeks is over. I’m learning so much and creating so many new, healthy and sustainable habits that will continue forward with me.
It’s been an amazing experience so far and it’s exciting to think how much more I will learn over the next final 4 weeks.
It's also been amazing how supportive people have been; Sylvain, my friends, my family, my work colleagues… even my local gym in Bollington have been so nice offering me all the support and guidance I need to complete this. It’s just made everything so much easier for me.
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Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you're concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet.
Lauren is an English Literature graduate originally from the South. She’s always loved swimming, has discovered the power of weight training over the past few years, and has lots of room for improvement in her weekly hot yoga class.
On the weekends she’s usually cooking or eating some kind of brunch, and she enjoys trying out new recipes with her housemates – especially since shaking off student habits, like mainly surviving off pasta. Above all, she’s a firm believer in keeping a balance between the gym and gin.
Find out more about Lauren’s experience here.
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