Walking Spa Break changed my life

Jo's children treated her to some 'me time' and booked her onto one of my luxury Walking Spa Breaks at Champneys. On the breaks I teach our guests my unique walking technique, give seminars on weight management, diet and overall wellbeing and in between our sessions, there is plenty of time to relax, enjoy the Spa and have some treatments.

"I was looking forward to some relaxing time to myself and to the pampering but have to be honest - this 'funny walking' was something I was slightly sceptical about. I listened to Joanna's talk on our first night and was amazed and inspired by what she had to say. It made a lot of sense, felt achievable and I left feeling open minded, in fact excited to take part in the practical session the following day."

Jo had experienced some shape change and bloatedness since the menopause and when we discussed the goals that she wanted to achieve long term, that we might be able to help with over the weekend, it became apparent that she wanted to feel better about herself and her body, as well as feeling fitter.

"I found the practical sessions hard to begin with. I had never thought about how I walked before and to change the habit of a lifetime by implementing a new technique feels very different. I persevered for a whole week after the course, walking for just 30 minutes every day." Suddenly everything just clicked into place. "My step count increased as well as the time I spent walking which went from 30 to 45 minutes on average and I was taking 6,000-7,000 steps in that time."

Now, Jo can sometimes do as many as 23,000 steps a day - which is a huge achievement! Walking has changed her lifestyle. She walks to town rather than taking the car as she used to. The hill which saw her out of breath previously, is now a breeze. In just 3 months, Jo lost 10 pounds by using my walking technique and 4 inches from her waist. "My legs have toned and my stomach too, in fact my clothes are quite baggy now. I even sleep better, have more energy which is adding an extra hour or two to my day and my posture is a lot better."

Previously, Jo had found exercising expensive or that it didn't fit with her lifestyle and her husband assumed that her interest in walking with technique wouldn't last. However, now if she misses one of her 5 walks per week, she really misses it.

"I love that it is so inexpensive, on my terms so I can choose when and where I walk and the freedom it gives me - not to mention the weight loss and health benefits I've experienced."

Being healthy and finding an exercise programme that works for you has a lot to do with your lifestyle and expense. If you are busy and can't always fit an hour session in, three times a week, missing one session can send you off track. Gyms can be expensive and in the current climate aren't an option for everyone. I love that walking can be done at any time that suits you and if you're walking with good technique only need take 30 minutes of your time per walk to achieve great results. Jo is a great example of how walking can work for you in this way. I'm really pleased that it's continuing to work for her and that she's proved her partner wrong(!). I'm also delighted that she has continued to walk after one weekend of training with me and the team. Her children bought her a gift to give her some 'me time' but at the time would never have thought that it was a gift she would use for the rest of her life. Keep walking Jo, congratulations!

© Joanna Hall 2010