Testimonial – Kate Perry
For years I have struggled with my weight with yo-yo dieting (atkins, low carb, intermittent fasting, weight watchers, slimming world etc) and trying out every latest gym/fitness fad or app. I would be super regimented and focused for a few days then I would get frustrated, annoyed or disheartened and then rebel and eat ‘naughty’ things and give up on exercise. When work was frustrating I would also comfort eat crisps (family size packs!) and could easily polish off a bottle of wine as a ‘treat’ to myself to forget the stresses of the day.
All this was made worse when a) I broke my ankle and then b) ate and drank a lot to make lockdown more interesting and with minimal exercise. I gained a stone in weight with each of those events. As we approached the easing of lockdown restrictions and a summer to be able to go out and see people, get out of my leggings and trackie bottoms and get dressed up nice again, I was suddenly anxious about my 2 stone weight gain (on top of a weight I wasn’t happy with), wearing nice clothes that now didn’t fit and seeing people again. I was worried about what they would think/say when they saw me and the weight I had gained.
Back in March I did a virtual juice retreat which was great as it was a quick health boost. It was a week of no work, lots of yoga and fitness zoom classes and lots of time for reflection. I learnt to love juicing and the energy and good health feeling it gave me and I did lose some weight. But after that week ended and I was back to my daily routine, I was starting to get back into my old habits and the weight I had lost was starting to creep back on. I realised I needed to change my mindset. I KNEW everything I needed to do I just couldn’t find the right attitude in my head to stick to it for longer than a few days.
I found Davinia’s number online and saved it for a few days procrastinating about calling her – worrying that it would just be another thing that I would start and give up on. One Saturday morning I was feeling fed up and frustrated with myself and I spontaneously and nervously called her. We talked for almost an hour but it flew by! I felt like I was chatting to an old friend about my frustrations with myself and my behaviours. She seemed to know me and my behaviours and suggested why I might be sabotaging myself and what emotions were possibly going on under the surface that led to the bad habits. I came off the phone buzzing and motivated and ready to get the mindset and healthy body and attitude that I deserved.
We had a coaching session to get started where we talked about my usual routine and meals, my likes and dislikes, and she made suggestions as to how I could tweak things. There were no foods completely off the menu and no crazy unrealistic fitness plan.
Then we got started with the twice weekly PT sessions and daily check-ins for me to report back my activity and food diary. The PT sessions are fantastic. There is a mixture of different activities and with Davinia’s motivation and amazing fun attitude it is never boring. I thought I would always dread a PT session but with Davinia I look forward to it and it flies by! We talk as we train – the life coaching she does as part of this is amazing. She got to know my trigger points and what causes me to comfort eat or drink a bottle of wine. And she gently guides me through all this and how to adjust behaviours and attitudes and routines to deal with these things.
I juice a lot more and generally want to put more healthy nutritious foods in my body. I no longer see crisps and junk food as a treat. It is a treat to be kind to myself and give my body the love and goodness it deserves.
I’m far from perfect!!! I still love my wine and cheese and these are my yummy treats. The difference is now I savour them and as a result I’m not binge consuming them and having too much and feeling bad about it which can trigger bad behaviours and cycles of bad food and then regret. When I have these treats I know I can be honest to Davinia about them – she is not judgemental in the slightest. I don’t need to hide anything. She somehow recognises (way before I realise) if there is any evidence of bad habits setting in or it looks like I might be going a little astray and then she gently guides me to get back on track.
I now don’t see exercise as a chore. It’s just a daily thing I do like brushing my teeth. It doesn’t have to be a hideous gruelling gym workout. Davinia has suggested small changes to incorporate more movement on a daily basis. On work calls when I don’t have to be at a screen I walk up and down the garden or the neighbouring farm track so I get in steps without realising. These small changes all add up.
I have lost over a stone with her and many inches from all over my body. My body shape has changed. But aside from that I am more confident. I now look forward to getting dressed up and seeing people and experiencing new and fun things. I don’t try and hide in the background feeling envious about those people that are living life to the full. I am now that person. I am learning more about getting off the treadmill of life and grabbing every opportunity. I find myself drawn more to positive and energising people and experiences and doing things that make me the person I deserve to be.
I honestly don’t think I could have done this without Davinia. She is an incredible PT, life coach, motivator and nutrition adviser. But she has become so much more than that to me. She is my biggest cheerleader and now one of my bestest friends. I am grateful every day to have met her.
If you’re stuck in a rut, lacking faith that you can turn things around or you don’t feel like you’re living the life you want to then I encourage you to just give her a call and chat about it. I cannot recommend her enough. Everyone needs a Davinia in their life!!!!
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