Lucy Wyndham-Read on Fitness Training
Online Workouts and Personalised Diet Plans to Help You Get Fit
Oct 9, 2009
Lucy Wyndham-Read is one of the UK's top fitness consultants. She is the author of The No Gym Workout, and Six Minutes to a Better Upper Body. As part of our Women in Health series, Suite 101 spoke to her about trekking in Namibia with British Inventor Sir Trevor Baylis, the highs and low of her job, and her plans to tackle child obesity.
Military Fitness
Suite 101: You have built up a successful online training consultancy. What was your initial motivation for getting into the fitness industry?
I joined the British army at 19, and served for five years, reaching the rank of Corporal. I was a dental nurse but I was able to do the proper army training, which I loved – drill, weapons training, fitness, and overnight exercises. I was likened to Private Benjamin with my long blonde hair because I was a little clumsy and very girly – applying my camouflage cream like make-up, and manicuring my nails while on guarding duties. I had met my first love, Michael, at 15 and we had planned to leave the army at the same time to get married but tragically he was KIA. It took me years to get over this.
I was keen not to lose the fitness I had gained so decided to make it my career, as I know that, with a little motivation, we can all be fit.
Keeping a Work/Life Balance
Suite 101: Your online business is 24/7 - how do you make the time for relaxation and looking after yourself?
I love every part of my job, from designing the workouts to putting together eating plans so for me, the hardest part is switching off. I am constantly researching and learning new ways to improve my business. Relaxing in the evenings has become a ritual. I light some Jo Malone candles, run a hot bubble bath, switch off the lights and completely unwind.
Suite 101: When you are focusing on other people's fitness goals it must be hard to find the time to concentrate on your own health. How do you get the right balance?
I exercise a lot with my clients and I also keep my own fitness levels up through a mixture of power walking and jogging, followed by home circuits.
Getting Children Fit and Tackling Obesity
Suite 101: Child obesity is a big issue. Can you tell us more about your current project - a book about children's fitness?
The book is aimed at children aged 2-8 years and consists of lots of fun games to get them moving, and help improve co-ordination, balance, and flexibility. The games also educate about the importance of good nutrition.
I have two more books out this year, which focus on women’s fitness, and I’m working on audio workouts that will be available via iTunes so you can download them to your iPod. The first one is a weight loss walk and I give instructions over upbeat tunes from Madonna, the Black Eyed Peas, and Kylie Minogue. The music makes the workout fun, and you train to the beat.
I have also been designing the fitness plans for Race For Life (Breast Cancer awareness). I have put together three programmes so you can either walk, walk and jog, or run the race. It is suitable for the beginner to regular runners and I think this makes it achievable for everyone.
Healthy Eating Tips
Suite 101: Eating the right kind of food can be a challenge when you are busy. What is your personal approach towards healthy eating?
Eat brown carbs instead of white and to make sure they are getting lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Always have breakfast, treat yourself occasionally, and drink eight glasses of water a day - without fail!
Trekking in Namibia With British Inventor Sir Trevor Baylis
Suite 101: You walked across the Namibian desert with the British inventor of the clockwork radio, Sir Trevor Baylis, in aid of the charity Mines Adivisory Group. What were the highs and lows?
Doing the trek through Namibia was incredible. We walked 120 miles over 10 days. It is amazing to do a 360-degree turn and not see one single house, car, telegraph pole or hear a telephone ring! I’ve had some amazing holidays but nothing has come close to the beauty of Namibia. There is no light pollution and the stars look like sparkling diamonds that you can pluck from the sky. The lows were sharing a tent with my friend Vicky who snored throughout the trip.
Top Fitness Gadgets and Casall Sportswear
Suite 101: Using a pedometer can really motivate you to exercise more. Can you recommend any gadgets that our readers might find useful?
The best fitness gadget is an iPod, as working out to music is a great motivator. I also think it is important to feel good when you are exercising so it is worth investing in some feminine sportswear. One of my personal favourites is Casall, the Swedish brand – the Vogue of fitness wear.
Celebrity Workouts
Suite 101: The size zero trend seems to have run its course at last. Are there any celebrities you would like to work with?
Most celebrities! Many of them are stick thin and have lost their feminine curves so I would like to show them how you can be slim and sexy without being a size zero.
For more tips and safe exercise routines pre and post-natally, read Lucy’s book, The No Gym Workout. It consists of a six-week programme that is easy to follow. It will help you to target those tricky areas – triceps, bust, bottom, abdominals, and shift excess body fat. Keeping fit needn't be hard work - make use of online resources and schedule it in your diary as you would any other appointment.
Resources
YMCA Fit and premierglobal.co.uk offer personal trainer certification courses.
Find a local personal trainer via the National Register of Personal Trainers, nrpt.co.uk
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