I'm a Fitbitch for life!

I started training with Rachael on a one to one basis back in January when this 'before' picture was taken. I wanted to get in shape for my summer holiday, nothing more.
Rachael was superfit, fun & assured me that she would take me from a complete exercise novice to someone who would actually look forward to exercising.'Ha, not likely,' I secretly thought. I'd never been sporty & couldn’t imagine exercise ever being anything but a necessary evil to help me lose weight.
After 7 weeks of twice weekly exercise with Rachael, I lost 10lbs & had a great holiday – but realised I wanted to keep going. And I wanted more of a challenge, so I signed up for Rachael's intensive Fitbitch Boot Camp in October 2009.
I loved it right from the start. I couldn’t believe it was me at first – getting up at 6.30 to cycle to Hove Lawns in sun, rain, wind.
Leaving my home in the dark as winter closed in meant freezing cold mornings but we soon warmed up & there were spectacular sunrises, and magnificent sea views – as well as the feeling that I was getting stronger and fitter week by week.
Plus, I met an amazing group of women who all supported & cheered each other on as we puffed & groaned our way through various activities, from circuit training with kettlebells to sprinting & boxing.
Every day was different and I never once felt bored. I ran my first 5k run at Hove Park at the end of October – and kept going throughout November and December even in the deepest snow. I can now do push-ups, love rocking those kettlebells - and I am definitely the skipping queen!
Exercise is now an essential part of my life. It now seems normal to me to run, skip and sprint daily. I’m looking forward to doing my first 10k with my fellow Fitbitches, and then who knows,nothing seems beyond me now.
When I started, I was an 11 stone 10 lbs, a size 16 fifty-something who weighed 11 stone 10lbs and who stopped wearing jeans years ago. Over three Boot Camps my weight dropped steadily by 1 - 2lbs a week (Rachael inspires you to eat healthily – it‘s not a ‘diet’, it’s about not sabotaging your body) and centimetres of fat vanished – a total of 14cm off my lardy ass & 10cm from each thigh. I’m now 9st 12 lbs, size 10 & have just bought my first pair of 29 in waist skinny jeans!
I feel years younger but I also know there have been other significant changes too – which both my sons & close friends have commented on. I can honestly say this has changed my life - I’m more confident, calmer & much happier than the unfit, overweight person that I was and my sons are amazingly proud of me. I’m now a Fitbitch for life!
Eileen Melville, leadership business consulant

Fitbitch Success

Those of you familiar with Fitbitch Boot Camp will have read about Belinda Muir's astonishing progress before. Yet it's worth mentioning again because it goes to show the importance of always setting yourself new goals that will keep your figure and fitness constantly adapting.
Forty-eight year old Belinda started at Fitbitch BC in March 2009 weighing 13stone 7lb, unable to run for more than 10minutes. By the end of the first camp she had lost 13lb and was running her first 5k at around 38minutes.
Fast forward less than one year on and Belinda now weighs 10st 4lb, has completed the Brooks 10k and is now in training for her first half marathon. Now 75minute runs are just something she does without thinking. But that's not all - she's already got her sights on doing the South Downs Relay Marathon!

Fitbitch Testimonial

I just wanted to thank you so super much for the great work and fun you've done with Fitbitch Boot Camp. From being someone who has never taken part in sport (even at school i managed to blag my way out of it) I've now taken part in a novice triathlon, 11 mile cross country Hellrun and am setting triathlon/racing goals for 2010!
It really is all down to the excellent training and environment you've created through Fitbitch! I truly truly enjoyed myself, it gave me the stamina to mentally pull myself out of a personal rut and I have found confidence and peace just by hitting the road running. Plus, since finishing boot camp I kept getting compliments on my trim shape even though i never really managed to stick to the eating plan (too much going on elsewhere). So thanks so much!
Tanya Krikke, 34.
Tanya is now off travelling with her family but before she goes, she's set up a vegetarian pop up restaurant, Purple Sprouting. For more information http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=196748541853#/pages/Brighton-United-Kingdom/Purple-Sprouting/194519035935

Fitbitch December 2009

We faced wind, rain and just missed the snow by one day (boo!) but just a week before Christmas our extra large 14 strong boot camp graduated with amazing results. Push ups, kettlebells, 5k runs and sprints were easily achieved by the end of the four weeks. As for weight loss, there were a record number of big losses with one graduate losing 11lbs in four weeks. Congratulations Fitbitches!
Don't forget you can find out more about what Fitbitch Boot Camp is up to via the Facebook site.

Fitbitch Boot Camp Graduates

Saturday 21st November saw a record number of Fitbitches turn out for the Hove Park Run. Sixteen of us raced and over two thirds of us got personal bests. Not surprising considering the work that everyone has put in over the last month in the November boot camp.
Everyone recorded huge successes, both in weight losses with many losing up to a stone in four weeks and more importantly, in fitness success.
We had two runners record personal bests at the Brooks 10k Brighton Run and in camp itself, everyone smashed their fitness tests!
It clearly hasn't put anyone off either with eight out of ten rebooking for the last boot camp before Christmas - that's a sign of a true Fitbitch!
To see more photos from the day, become a fan of Fitbitch Boot Camp on Facebook.

Testimonial

'I signed up to Fitbitch to tone up and lose weight. In just 4 week I lost 8 lbs. I had a great trainer in Rachael and a fitbitch crew who made you want to get out of bed to run through the rain with them on a daily basis. Rachael’s eating plan was easy and I never felt as though I was dieting, just living a healthier lifestyle. After a week I noticed a change in my mood and I had a lot more energy. Thanks to Rachael exercise no longer seems boring. Everyday was different and really fun. Thanks to Fitbitch I have made some great friends and I am healthier for it.'
Natasha Ballie, 25, vintage clothes designer of www.natashabailie.com, Hurstpierpoint. Fitbitch Boot camp General Level May 2009

Fitbitch Testimonials

Since April 2009 I have lost almost 2 stone, dropped three dress sizes and feel so much happier! I have now completed the general level and level 2 boot camps and have seen my body shape change and stamina increase throughout. Now it's completely normal for me to be off running on Hove seafront with fellow fitbitches at 6am, as well as looking forward to 5k parkrun races every Saturday and also am getting ready to run the Brooks Brighton 10k in November. Thanks to Rachael "Queen Fitbitch" and some amazing fitbitch friends who have been present along with me on this journey... I'm a new Steph and SO much happier!! This is a life changing experience for women and I would highly recommend it to anyone!
Stephanie Scheir, 35, make-up artist, graduate of Fitbitch Boot Camp Level 2, May 2009.

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'I'd recommend this camp to any woman wanting to change their lifestyle. It isn't a military style camp that slaps you into shape. It's an experience that inspires and teaches your body something new every day to help you achieve amazing results.
I've gone from barely being able to run 2miles to 12miles in the space of 4 months. All my old clothes fit me again and I just feel full of confidence. Once you've been FitBitched you just keep coming back for more.
Kim Boucher, 33, camp graduate Oct, November, December, 2010, January 2011.

'I lost 6lbs in my first bootcamp, as well as countless inches. I felt fitter, happier and had more to talk about with my friends, who were captivated by my tales from that morning's bootcamp!
Rachel's professional guidance make it feel like you're getting personal training, and training in the sunrise with new friends just makes you feel fantastic.
I am fitter, thinner and have bags more energy...and I just feel much more confident in all areas of my life.
Tanya Taylor, 36, mum of four. Camp graduate, 2010 and 2011