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May 2015

Hannah Before and After Transformation

By Transformations

BEFORE

AFTER

Hannah – Student looking to get fit

When I first came to Charlie I was the biggest I had ever been. I was a classic “yo yo” dieter with my weight fluctuating about 10 pounds between dieting and binging phases. I constantly felt bloated and tired and had decided that I couldn’t bear to wear a bikini ever again.

Charlie is supportive and extremely patient. I started off as a bit of a nightmare client – forgetful, ditzy and pretty clueless. Her level of knowledge in fitness and nutrition are second to none. I felt like I could ask her anything and I trusted her every word. I was never made to feel like an idiot (even when, week after week, I couldn’t remember the difference between my glutes and my hamstrings!!)

Charlie’s focus, combined with her encouraging and friendly attitude is incredible and perfect for a PT. Whether you’re feeling tired or unmotivated, have slipped up on your diet or even want some life advice(!), Charlie is kind, understanding and full of encouragement.

Charlie is also a flexible and hands-on trainer; if my diet required a shake up, I wanted to change a training date; needed a recipe or advice on what to order on a menu, Charlie was always there to help.

Since training with Charlie I have learnt to listen to my body. Charlie has taught me the importance of superfoods, good nutrition and that calorie counting isn’t everything. I now know what food I am less tolerant to, and equally what gives me energy, shiny hair and glowing skin. I feel stronger and healthier than I ever have before.

In the last 5 months I have lost over a stone and gained a tonne of confidence (and muscle!) I have a new attitude towards my body, a new mindset towards weight lifting and nutrition, and a new found love for bikinis!

Whatever you do, book with Charlie, you won’t regret it!

Sugar Free Protein Cinnamon Rolls

By Nutrition

Carbohydrates for Fat Loss

Lots of people cut out carbs to loose weight. The media hypes up these keto diets and hammers societies brains with how bad carbs are for you. You NEED carbs for successful, maintainable fat loss!

Firstly let me highlight the importance of muscle. The more muscle the body has, the higher the metabolism. The higher the metabolic rate, the more food you can eat because the body burns more calories.. Sounds good right?! Not only this. Muscle is essential for healthy bones and joints. If you don’t have enough muscle mass you might just slip off the curb and break your bloody leg because there is not enough muscle to support your joints.

Do you want to loose fat while keeping muscle?

Well..Carbohydrates are the most muscle sparing macro nutrient in our diets. If you reduce your carbohydrates too much when trying to lose fat, you will loose weight for sure… but some of it will most likely be from muscle. When the body doesn’t have enough energy it will begin to break down your own muscle tissue to fuel your system!! A decrease in muscle mass means a lower metabolic rate, plus your lovely toned muscles which you have slaved away for in the gym, will slowly be eaten to fuel your own body! Not Cool!

So you want to loose fat but not become a tired sleepy mess during day to day life?

Your brain runs off glucose. Glucose comes from carbs.. Super low carb diets can cause extreme fatigue, decreased performance in the gym, and a reduction in general motivation for life due to a lack of energy!

Where does the fat loss come into this?

Insulin is released into the blood when carbohydrates are eaten. Insulin levels in the blood must be low in order for the body to utilize fat from the adipose tissue for fuel. This is where a reduction is body fat occurs. It is important to fuel your body with carbohydrates in the correct portion sizes, at the right time of day, to give your body just enough energy for muscle sparing and recovery. but to still allow fat loss to occur.

No.. I’m not going to tell you when, or what, or how much to eat because it is different for everyone. Depending on an individuals metabolic rate, lifestyle and age, Different amounts of carbohydrates will be required for every individual. This can be calculated by metabolic and lifestyle analysis through a nutrition coach.

Was that a sneaky little sales pitch for nutrition coaching plans?!

Maybe…

Basically don’t cut carbs!! Find something which works for you. Find something which is not a diet! Make a lifestyle change which is healthy and maintainable while keeping all macro nutrients in your daily food intake. Restriction diets where whole food groups or macro nutrients are cut out are not maintainable. If your diet is not maintainable, neither is your fat loss!

Here is a delish little recipe for you which sure as hell does contain carbs. These are a great post workout snack and really curb sugar cravings 🙂

Sugar Free Protein Cinnamon Rolls

makes 10

Macros:

  • 98 calories
  • 5g fat
  • 4.5g carbs
  • 6.4g protein

Ingredients – Roll:

  • 60g Gluten Free Flour
  • 60g Vanilla (stevia sweetned) Protein Powder 
  • 30g Ghee
  • 1/2 tsp Xantham Gum
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1 Egg

Ingredients – Filling:

  • 25g Almond Butter
  • 40g Vitafiber
  • 2 tsp Cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Combine all the dry ‘roll’ ingredients in a blender. Add the egg and ghee and wizz up until a dough is formed. Put a little flour on the work top, remove the dough from the blender and begin to roll into a squarish shape, about 1cm thick. In a bowl, combine all the ‘filling’ ingredients and stir until a thick paste is formed. spread this paste over the rolled out dough. Now really carefully roll the dough up with the filling on the inside. Cut the large cinnamon roll into 10 small rolls and place on a baking tray. Put in the oven for 8 minutes then remove and allow to cool and harden a little 🙂

Notes:

Try adding different fillings for different flavors 😀