Advert for Bupa?!?

‘Your operation is important’

‘It is probably the most difficult and complex operation any orthopaedic consultant will see in this clinic this week’

‘Not having the operation will have major consequences on your health’

Not my words – the words of my consultants.

I suppose it serves me right.

I should have private health cover.

This morning I was due to check in at St Peters hospital to have my long awaited operation on my wrist.

After rescheduling all my clients and making various other arrangements based on the agreed recovery time that all changed.

Its amazing how one single phone call can have so many ramifications.

Yesterday lunchtime, after reassuring me last time that it was unlikely to be cancelled again, a definite maybe I realise, and despite what they keep telling me is an important procedure they cancelled it again.

I realise certain other operations take priority.

However, this is the second time they have cancelled at short notice.

This is not the only bad service that I have had from the NHS.

In the year leading to my operation I have spent over 12hrs in waiting rooms for late appointments, I have waited 2hrs to be told my consultant wasn’t even present, I have received phone calls that I shouldn’t of received, they have told me they could not book me in for an operation and then after working out some dates realised that they could and that’s not to mention the extortionate parking costs.

Needless to say, after nearly 2 years I am still walking around with a fractured scaphoid.

Needless to say that if they were a business in this economic climate they would have gone under!

If this were the level of service I receive for a broken bone, I would hate to see what happens for a minor ailment or disease.

One thing is for sure, as best I can, I will continue to take responsibility of my own health. I will continue to eat and drink healthily, I will exercise regularly, I will get to bed on time on school nights ;-), and I will manage my stress levels.

I certainly wouldn’t want them to be responsible for anything more medical!

Fortunately, I have no other dependants other than a really frustrated wife?!? Fortunately, my business will recover. If I had been in a different situation the consequences could have been much more severe. They clearly had no appreciation for my self-employed status.

My op has been rescheduled for a fortnight’s time. Will it happen? Who knows!!!

Lost 7 inches from his Waist

Congratulations this week to Alex Murrey.

I’ve been training Alex now for 6 months and during that time he has achieved the most amazing results.

Training just twice-a-week, and following my nutrition and lifestyle recommendations, Alex has worked diligently to achieve these results.

With time being at a premium due to his newborn baby, Alex is proof anyone can do it if they put their mind to it.

In 6 months…

Lost 4st 2lbs in Weight
Lost 2.5 inches from his Chest
Lost 6.75 inches from his Abdomen
Lost 7 inches from his Waist
Lost 4.5 inches from each Thigh

This is not to mention the outstanding improvements in strength, posture and fitness.

The most satisfying thing about all of this is that Alex is really motivated to continue and achieve even better results.

I think you will all agree that these are fantastic results. Who do you know that wants to achieve the same thing? Don’t keep me a secret – refer them to me TODAY!

O Sleep, O Gentle Sleep, Nature’s Soft Nurse.

Do you have trouble falling asleep at night?

Do you have trouble waking up in the morning?

Do you sleep less than 8-9hrs per night?

Do you wake up once or more during the night?

Do you sleep in a room with any light or noise?

Do you wake up feeling tired?

Do you wake up only with an alarm?

Do you go to bed later than 11pm?

Do you get up earlier than 6am?

Do you use medications for sleep?


Analysing your sleep can provide some answers to why you are not achieving your health and fitness goals. One of the biggest obstacles I face when coaching people to optimal health is improving there understanding of the importance of a good nights sleep. People tend to forget that physiologically there are very little differences between modern man and our prehistoric sun-driven ancestors. Therefore if you want to improve the quality of your sleep take a look at these top tips and make some adjustments today.


1. Get to sleep by 10.30pm. Take some time before this to wind down. If needs be get to bed by 10pm.
2. Minimize your exposure to bright lights immediately before going to bed. Use a dimmer switch, a lamp or a low wattage light bulb.
3. Sleep in a room that is completely dark and quiet. If light and noise creeps in consider using an eye mask or ear plugs.
4. Avoid consumption of stimulants including alcohol, sugar and nicotine.
5. Drink plenty of good clean water. Not immediately before bed for obvious reasons!
6. Exercise. Enough said.
7. Unplug all electrical appliances within your room or place them as far away from your bed as possible. This includes TV’s, radios, alarm clocks and probably the worst offender a mobile phone. The electromagnetic field from these items will cause unwanted stimulants.
8. Think about changing you mattress or pillow.

Gaining Weight? Get Some Sleep!

This is the kind of advice people like to hear!

As anyone who trains with me knows there are many aspects involved in achieving good health and a desirable bodyshape.

Sure what you eat and the exercise you do play a major role.

However, there are various lifestyle factors that may contribute to you achieving your goals more than you think.

One factor often overlooked is the amount and the quality of your sleep.

In essence sleep gives the body a chance to regenerate.

Much of the research associates good quality sleep with cognitive restoration.

However, poor quality sleep has an effect on basic metabolic functions such as processing and storing of carbohydrates and regulating of hormones.

What does this mean to you???

Put it this way sleeping poorly on a regular occasion will make you store more fat around you middle and make you appear older!

It is also worth noting that when sleep deprived your body secretes more of the hormone Grehlin into the body, which makes you want to eat more. It also reduces the amount of Leptin (also a hormone!), which reduces a person’s appetite and lets them know they are full.

Therefore when sleep deprived your body will tell you that you are hungrier and not tell you when you are full!

All in all a bad combination!

Congratulations Helen!

Just a quick shout out this week for Helen Cowling who completed her London-to-Paris bike ride last week.

Helen worked her ass off in preparation, and I can’t tell you how pleased I am with her success.

During the four-day ride she burned 5000 calories per day - testament to how hard she cycled.

Helen loves a challenge I can’t wait to here what’s next. Climbing Everest? Swimming the Channel? Walking on the Moon?

I will keep you updated.