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Our undercover columnist pins her flat-tummy hopes
on London’s Bodyism personal training system.
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ednesday, around lunchtime.
“You are always in a spa,
woman; what on earth is
wrong with you? Don’t you
work any more?”
My client is bellowing down
the blower. I’ve scrambled up
from a treatment to take his call;
my all-over-body ionised Dead Sea algae wrap is now
dripping on to the floor, the foil ripped and crumbling.
It’s an unusual occupational hazard, I will give him
that, but I can’t seem to utter a word. “I’m doing some
R&D for a spa client,” is what I finally muster as an
excuse, green face mask now partially plastered over
the mouthpiece. It sounds wholly implausible even to
me, and the line goes silent. After a minute, he laughs
loudly. “Is that what you call it these days?”
“It’s really not as relaxing as you think. If this
smartphone could Skype, you would see it’s far
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Left: Bodyism’s James
Duigan teaching the
correct technique for
stomach exercises.
more Petri dish than feet-in-the-air,” I say, gritting
my teeth. “So get off my back.”
“Well, I suggest you get off your back and get on
a plane – I need you in Los Angeles this Friday.” And
now he is serious.
“Yes, sir.”
Sadly, spas don’t come cheap, and work pays the
bills. Happily, however, on the flight to LA I get bumped
to First, which is a huge relief; the Business class beds
on Lufthansa (as I’m sure regular readers of the FT’s
Fast Lane column know) are among the most
uncomfortable beds in their category.
The business lounges, however, do impress, and before
the luxury of some flat-on-your-back sleeping comes the
one in the form of a food spread as irresistible as Disney
Land is to kids, especially if you have been on a strict
1,000-calories-a-day diet. (It might not actually be so
impressive, I should add by means of disclaimer, were
I not starving.) Right now my eyes are like saucers, my
newly cleansed senses are highly stimulated. Suddenly
transported from famine to feast, I am ensconced like
Willy in the Wonka factory, with large parfait bowls
brimming with chocolates, sweets and nuts at every
table, trays of sushi on the buffet along with salads,
pâtés, breads, cheeses, currys and cakes.
I resist. Till the Caviar and Champagne trolley pases
by, that is. It’s a treat too far. And so from the heights of
spa-going sainthood I come tumbling off the wagon just
three hours out of the clanger. And as we land, almost as
if by osmosis I have inhaled back at least one of the 2kg I
have spent the past five days (and almost £5,000) losing.
The back-lashing, heart-wrenching guilt comes
moments later. The diet starts again on Monday.
DAY 1: MONDAY
“You have to stop the guilt. The more you stress, the
more you create a hormone called cortisol, which is
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involved in the metabolism of fat and can cause it to be
redistributed, especially around your tummy.”
I’m sat with James Duigan at Bodyism. Together with
Dalton Wong, he has created what one can call a truly
unique training environment. A converted mews house
in South Kensington is where they preside over the
careful crafting and sculpting of some of the world’s
most beautiful and famous bodies. And they specialise
in my life-long elusive desire: a flat tummy.
“Like animals, humans are designed to react
quickly to danger,” continues James. “When you sense
danger, the brain stimulates the release of adrenaline
and cortisol. This gives you an instant burst of energy,
which enables you to deal with the danger at hand
by either fighting or running away. Today, the body
responds to stressful situations in the same way as it
does to danger, but if you don’t use up the extra
energy when your body expects you to, it stays in your
system and gets redeposited as fat – and it collects
around your middle because from here it can be
quickly converted back into energy.”
At Bodyism, each session is with a private teacher –
the theory being that very often the hours one spends
alone in the gym are simply not as effective. I see their
point. I am an unlikely member of KX, a gym favoured
by Holland Park’s yummy mummies, Italian football
coaches and even the Royals. It’s the kind of gym where
every body is a beautiful body, where you spend more
time tea-ing than TRX-ing – the type of gym that’s so
intimidating that after my summer holiday I bought a
month’s subscription to Virgin Active to shape up before
I’d so much as show my face there.
Well, here, James and his gang are the exact opposite.
We are hanging out in the open-plan kitchen drinking
chlorophyll water, talking about the 14-day Flat
Tummy plan; a miniature Chihuahua called Cupcake
is throwing her weight around and, in front of me, a
supermodel with straps around her ankles is crouched
in a squatting position, moving like a crab sideways
across the room. It’s unique, all right.
But James looks serious. “I have to tell you that
unless we can change your mind, we will not be
successful in changing your body. That’s why there
is no blaring music playing. We need to hear you, I
need to get to know you and what’s going on in your
life. We may become friends, we may not; but unless
we break down some of the life-long mental habits,
you will just be in this perpetual imbalance.
“So let’s do just a quick bit of theory. A, for Alcohol.
I don’t need to tell you it’s full of sugar, and sugar
is like a nuclear fat bomb exploding all over your
body.” Wow. If that image doesn’t drive the message
home, I can’t imagine what will.
“Women who drink three or four times a week
usually end up with what I call a ‘wine waist’.” Ah,
yes, that podgy and squidgy spare tyre.
James reassures me that there has never been
a woman who has walked into his gym without
complaining about her belly. Women, he says, are far
more prone to have worries in this department. And, of
course, there is pregnancy, which leaves many woman
with a protruding belly. James strongly recommends two
years between spawnings, so your muscles don’t actually
forget you were once a beautiful, slim, flat-stomached
female and not just an incubator.
As I have my measurements taken for what is called
the Body Oracle, a unique assessment at the heart
of the Bodyism programme, he ends the theory part
of the day with one last dictum.
“You have got to cut out the CRAP: Caffeine, Refined
sugar, Alcohol and Processed foods.
“Now, let’s get on the floor and do a light workout.”
DAY 2: TUESDAY
Some of London’s serious heavyweights file into the gym
this morning, and that’s not in the body-weight
department. As I lie on the floor, I recognise at least
three punters who regularly feature in the FT front
pages, all in their most comfortable kit – I even spot an
old Virgin Atlantic Sleep Suit, with a hole in it, no less.
The atmosphere as we train in the converted garage
is fun and friendly. An urban wellness centre is what
the guys have created. It’s structured so that you can
either pay per session out of a pre-paid amount or sign
up for an all-inclusive flat fee that, depending on the
plan, allows you to attend up to 200 sessions per year
to train with anyone on the team. You get daily texts
to see if you can still attend your chosen sessions, and
you are encouraged to come in even on a lazy day for a
massage. Your massage, acupuncture, kinesiology, yoga
and nutritional supplements are included, so no money
changes hands on the premises. They do stress, however,
that not everyone can join; after all, the trainers have to
spend hours with individual members, and if they have
bad energy it affects the whole joint.
Meanwhile, Natalie, one of the several genuinely kind
and good-looking trainers, is breaking my Body Oracle
test results to me. “I’ve calculated your body fat at
24.2 per cent. Your Suprailiac skin fold – aka the love
handle – is where you store fat; and this is a sign that
simple carbohydrates are not your friends. These are
forbidden for the next two weeks.
“Now, the Pectorlaes skin fold” – that’s the unsightly
bulge beneath the bra strap – “this could be due to high
levels of oestrogen, which could be be brought about by
consuming non-organic dairy products, as they are
packed with female hormones. Soy, too. And alcohol,
which some studies suggest is linked to raised
oestrogen levels. All these are forbidden.
“The Umbilical skin fold” – she means my little spare
tyre – “is measuring way too high.” No surprise there;
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about programming my first week’s schedule before I
start training with James again.
DAY 3: WEDNESDAY
“Reducing your carbohydrate intake is the most
significant factor in shedding body fat.” Natalie has a
turn to train me today. “You have to increase your
protein intake drastically. Aim to eat a large portion of
protein at each meal – the most important one is
breakfast.” A protein-rich diet ensures that muscle mass
can restore itself after an exhausting workout, and the
lean muscle it helps develop encourages fat to burn.
I’m supposed to be having eggs and salmon – some
people’s dream meal – but I am intolerant to eggs,
according to the SHA macrobiotic spa,
and I should be on a mainly vegetarian
diet, according to Villa Paradiso, as
there is too much acid in my blood.
So frankly, I am confused; and if I’m
confused, heaven knows what the
general public must be feeling.
Natalie listens and agrees to review the
diet according to the test results.
The protein-versus-carb debate seems to come up
a lot; it brings to mind the dairy-versus-soy debate
currently raging. Just a few years ago, we were told to
throw out dairy and replace it with soya, which many
of us religiously did. Only to then be told that the soya
latte every morning might be the reason for the weight
gain. And now, of course, they are touting rice and nut
milks instead; who knows what sinister side effects
we’ll find out these hold one day?
Natalie concurs about the surplus of contradictory
advice, adding that if you suffer from any food allegies or
intolerances you should always consult a doctor before
committing to any diet, to ensure it’s suited to you. And
while the Bodyism eating philosophy is heavily protein
based (though not a scratch on Dunkan or Atkins) it also
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supplements and training, you will lose fat, look leaner,
get stronger and feel healthier very soon. But our main
focus is to flatten that tummy.”
She explains that it’s clear from where my body stores
fat that I need to be very careful with my sugar intake.
“You are naturally prone to gaining weight, despite
being healthy and fit. Unfortunately, you have to be
really mindful and allow these treats only once a week.”
I’m pained.
“It’s only going to get worse, dear. As your body heads
into the late 30s and early 40s, you’ll be surprised at how
diligent you will have to become to retain a great shape.
Start now and avoid a life of pain.”
She reels off the diet plan that has been drawn up
for me, hands me packs of supplements, and we set
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includes a lot of vegetables, which can be substituted for
meat for one meal a day, though ideally not the one
before or after a workout.
Later, on the treadmill with James: “I feel like we are
not doing enough,” I say. “I can go much faster, you
know. I’m just not feeling like I am getting enough of a
cardio workout – can we take it up a few notches”?
“No,” he says bluntly.
Now that’s a first. I’m so used to army-style boot-camp
training that I almost come off the machine.
“I know you are used to crazy-mad workouts, but for
the first week we are going to take it slow. Doing cardio
on its own increases your cortisol levels and can actually
make you fatter. Your training sessions need to be
restorative, believe it or not. By calming you down we’ll
improve your stress levels and sleep patterns, and you
will see a difference, especially around the stomach.
“This is not just a seven-day programme; this place
needs to become an integral part of your life. If I wear
you out, you just won’t come back. Trust me; the routine
we are doing is going to help you create long and lean
limbs and get rid of the excess adipose on your midriff.
“But I need you to commit to a schedule of training
and stick to it as you do to important work meetings.”
I digest what he says. Does this mean I will literally be
sleeping myself skinny? Where do I join for life?
He hands me what will become my bible for the next
few weeks: his Clean & Lean Flat Tummy Fast! book.
“This has all the rules I want you to follow.” )
Can Spa Junkie learn to trust James and stop busting a gut
to bust her gut? Find out on Tuesday November 8, at free-toaccess www.howtospendit.com and on our free iPad app.
CHRONICLES OF A SPA JUNKIE IS CONTINUED ON FREE-TOACCESS HOWTOSPENDIT.COM AND OUR FREE IPAD APP.
FOLLOW SPA JUNKIE AT TWITTER.COM/SPAJUNKIEFT
PHOTOGRAPHS: EDWARD SYMES (2). PIXELATE. ILLUSTRATIONS: JAY YEO. ASPINAL CALF-LEATHER JOURNAL, £39 (WWW.ASPINAL.COM). CARAN D’ACHE BICOLOUR LEMAN PEN, FROM £280, FROM WWW.
WILLIAM ANDSON.COM.
you could drag me around like a Labrador by this
so-called fold. “This, dear, is a lot to do with stress. This
fat area suggests long-term, stress-induced cortisol
levels. It’s stress induced from eating the wrong foods,
eating late at night, burning the candle at both ends
and, obviously, working too hard.” In a nutshell, stress
makes you fat and gives you that sticky-out tummy.
“You have to make a conscious effort to take on less
responsibility and slow your life down,” continues
Natalie. “I’ll also provide you with a list of supplements
to restore your body’s hormone levels.
“We will focus on reducing the all-over body fat and
shaping your waist, and we’ll lift up your bum and
sculpt your arms. With the help of the nutrition,
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POSTING TWO
DAY 4: THURSDAY
Every day starts with a very lovely chocolate-tasting
milkshake. How they have managed to make a bowl of
vegetables taste like a choco smoothie is beyond me.
I’m training with Dalton today. I get the same anklestrap treatment as the ass-in-the-air supermodel I
encountered on my first day. It looked a lot better when
she did it.
Then it’s pelvic muscle work. “The pelvic muscles are
like your natural corset; it’s imperative you use this
muscle every day. It’s the one you use when you go to
the loo; yup that one. You need to squeeze it at least 15
times each time you urinate, and that should be a
minimum of five times a day. Trust me, your boyfriend
will thank you.”
The workout is slow and restorative, till the end when
he has me on the versa climber, a vertical climbing
machine that works every part of your body and if done
at speed makes your heart leap from your chest.
I’m given a chocolate protein shake as a reward and
am ushered into what was previously one of the three
bedrooms upstairs – now a quasi yoga den. The room is
small and I feel a little squashed if I compare it to my
regular Jivamukti yoga centre. But the lesson is good;
the teacher corrects and aligns as we flow.
I see Nicki next for a deep-tissue massage. She hands
me some magnesium soak to help ease any muscle
tension I might have from the four days of training. This
together with epsom salt baths at least two or three
times a week speeds up weight loss. This is what the
“supers” do before bikini shoots, I am told.
The day ends with the skinny “sleep’” shake. You drink
it before bed and it helps with the slight hunger pangs.
It’s so good I lick the glass for every last drop.
Time for the first-week reckoning. Today it’s back to
the Body Oracle assessment and the Body Metrix
machine that measures body fat. I definitely feel
slimmer, despite all these shakes and the far less cardiointense workout.
“Amazing!” Natalie yelps. “You have lost 5.3 per cent
of body fat. That’s really good. You are down 1.7kg.” My
waist is much slimmer, and with my top off I notice the
etchings of my rectus abdominals, the so-called six-pack
muscles, beginning to form under the rib cage.
POSTING THREE
DAY 5: FRIDAY
After Natalie gives me the good news about my big drop
in body fat, James has me on the floor doing pelvic
crunches, long-resistance squats and one-legged planks
to a stopwatch, as we have the acidic-versus-alkaline
talk.
“We promote a protein-rich diet, but eating the
correct proteins, such as lean meats and nuts, is key. Not
all proteins are the same; you should avoid red meat and
anything non-organic as they’re filled with nasties.
“The alkaline system is key to good health; anyone
who cares about theirs should be trying to reduce acidforming foods. I can tell without any machines that you
are too acidic, because your stomach bulges out.”
I’m clearly visibly upset. “Don’t worry; even skinny
girls can have protruding stomachs if they are eating
badly. You need to avoid pesticides, eat only organic
fruit and veg, avoid refined sugar, and take a high dose
of good-quality probiotics daily. Eat more blueberries.
Greens, red, yellow and orange vegetables, oily fish and
avocados are all good.”
As it happens, I have already changed my diet
significantly since writing this column. I now eat
mountain-loads of green veg, quinoa and lean protein,
and have increased my whole-grain intake before noon,
which has done wonders for regulating my system.
Sadly, the discipline required to confront a pudding
menu is still a daily struggle, but the visualisation
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techniques James has provided are helping me to say no
more than yes. My tummy is still a little wine-waist-y
and squidgy, but definitely flatter.
As I end the first week, sipping on a cinnamon and
vanilla shake to go, I decide to join Bodyism. Each
workout has been meaningful, and I feel confident
knowing my posture and alignment were correct. And
having a trainer there makes you work that much
harder. It’s definitely a big investment of both time and
money, but then you have a host of very smart people on
standby to support you, through both big and small
issues. Whether you are very overweight or just need a
little fine-tuning, everyone is treated with kindness. It is
definitely not for anyone who wants a corporate-style
big machine – a rows-of-runners-and-treadmills-with
landscape-views type of gym – and that’s the point; this
is not a gym. It’s a home away from home where you
come each day to be encouraged and restored. There is a
bit of therapy and a lot of love in the building; until, of
course, James gets out the stopwatch.
POSTING FOUR
WEEK TWO
On Monday I start the 6-Day Tummy Transformer.
“During the programme you’ll be eating around 1,200
to 1,500 calories a day. Most of us can cope perfectly
well on this amount of calories, as long as it’s for short
periods of time and we’re getting the right amount of
vitamins, minerals and nutrients.” Natalie is detailing
the diet and exercise plan.
“Lean white protein and green vegetables keep you
full and provide you with these nutrients, yet they’re
incredibly low in calories. This isn’t the same as
surviving on 1,200-calories-worth of diet cola and lowfat cereal a day. This is the healthy way to do it.”
We train every day for an hour, spending at least 15
minutes doing side bridge, plank stands and crunches.
They have a remarkable amount of quirky tortureinducing equipment, which allows for a varied workout
each week.
Acupuncture, massage and yoga sessions punctuate
the training regime.
The diet is tough, and I feel hungry a great deal of the
time. I am reminded of Elizabeth Hurley, who told me
that she has been hungry every day of her life since she
turned 25 – it’s part of being a woman in great shape,
she said.
Apparently, it gets easier as you get more used to a
no-sugar, smaller-portioned diet plan. Eat little and
often, like the hunter-gathers did.
THE BOTTOM LINE
On the last day of my Tummy Transformer, despite a
few hiccups (and a couple of glasses of wine), I have
done well. I have reduced my fat to 14.4 per cent. I have
lost almost 5cm off my tummy and reduced my weight
by 3.3kg. The results speak for themselves. I buy the
silver package. And cancelled my membership at KX.
James looks pleased with me, and as I skip out of the
mews house I feel blessed to know that despite my next
inevitable crash and burn I have now found a place on
my doorstep where there is no judgment, just
encouragement to live my life better.
What you do between the spa junking is vital; so
having a great place to keep your diet and fitness
regimes in good shape is key.
Bodyism, TKTKKT, South Kensington, London (020-7581
1243; www.bodyism.com). Packages cost from £15,000 per
year for the Silver package, which includes 80 personal
training sessions or yoga classes, a monthly supplement
plan, seven massages, nutritional advice and assessments.
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