Cutting Calories with Rosemary Conley (Rosemary Conley Slimming Club)

Member Name: duskmaiden

Product:	Rosemary Conley Slimming Club
Date:	04/05/05 (2663 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: excercise, supportive, good results

Disadvantages: not free after target weihgt, pointless cd

My biggest achievement so far in 2005 has been losing 2 stone in 13 weeks. I could not have done it without Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness clubs.

I have been gradually gaining weight for about ten years. At a size 18-20 on my lower half I was a bit depressed at my appearance. I have tried to diet by myself but I always chuck it in after one too many packets of crisps that have tempted me. I had thought about slimming clubs in the past to motivate myself but I was not sure I wanted to spend £5 a week on being weighed and lectured.

So what was different about Rosemary Conley?

The main difference between Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness clubs and other slimming clubs is the emphasis on fitness. I think others would recommend exercise but this one goes further and you get a 45 minute aerobics workout at every meeting. Each meeting costs £4.95 and consists of a weigh in, a talk from the group leader and then the exercise part. I do not mind paying this as an aerobics class at my local leisure centre costs £3.60 so this is comparable. (There is a reduction in price if you just do the exerciser routine as a second class a week without the weigh in). I quite enjoy the classes as I like the comradeship and empathy of others in a similar situation. I also find going to a class keeps me on track as I know I have to face the scales every week. I also like the class as it is not too intimidating Ruth the group leader is friendly and very encouraging and full of good advice if you are not doing so well (something I have never experienced. My new nickname I the ever shrinking woman!!). Your result is private. Weight losses (not gains) are read out anonymously unless you are the Slimmer of the Week. In this instance you are rewarded with a certificate. The only problem I find with the weighing process is that because the class is very popular it seems to go on for ages. I see it as a chance to catch up with everyone else.

The exercise program is not too bad. The movers are clearly demonstrated and the routines stay fairly constant so you feel confident doing them and thus can work harder on them. I found that I could follow the routine after a couple of sessions pretty easily. All group leaders have qualification in teaching aerobics so they are safe to do with a good warm up, and cool down with the relevant stretches. There is also a floor work section if there is enough time which I can tell you can be a bit of a killer.

So what is the diet like?

It is not too bad. It is a caloric counted one with an emphasis on low fat eating. For the first two weeks you are advised to try the Quick Results diet. This is low calorie and pretty strict. You are only allowed 1200 calories and the foods should not contain more than four percent. We were also advised against drinking alcohol. This does seem pretty stringent but I found because it was for only two weeks I could tolerate not having any treats at all. I lost 8 ponds in total in the first two weeks. I can see why it is recommended to keep members interested by instant results.

After the first two weeks you are given a calorie limit based on your age, weight, height and how much you have to lose. I was given 1700 calories but was recommended to try and aim for 1400 during the week so I could relax a bit at the weekend. This stage of the eating plan recommends most of your food contain no more than 5% fat. There are two exceptions. You ate allowed a portion of oily fish a week due to the Omega 3 oils in them (the good fats). You are also allowed a 150 calorie treat a day. This can be anything with any fat content as long as it is 150 calories or less. If you want a bigger treat you have to save your treats up. There is a milk allowance (either semi skimmed or skimmed) to keep your calcium up and they recommends common sense things like eating 5 fruit and veg a day along with plenty of water. It like the diet as it is a well balanced non faddy diet. You do not have to cut out complete food groups which I would find hard.

I have found the diet not too bad. There have been times when I have felt like lapsing but have never on in a big way. I do sometimes find measuring out things like pasta and rice a bit annoying but I think that has helped me as I used to eat enormous portions of carbohydrates. It has also made me think twice about what I am eating and really make a choice. I used to eat far too many crisps, cheese and peanut butter (my main weaknesses). Now I have to decide if I want one or the other. I think that is a good thing. The other annoying thing is that you do have to check all the food labels when shopping.

Membership

There is a membership fee of £7.95. For this you receive a booklet and a free CD The booklet js handy as it does have recipes, exercises and advice on eating out. . The CD is pointless as it is what is in the booklet and is very boring and repetitive. There are often special promotions in the Rosemary Conley magazine and in the local press to get free membership or your first calls free. I joined as there was a free membership coupon in the local paper. I might not have joined without it. I am glad I did.

As I mentioned class fees are £4.95. There is also a direct debit scheme where you pay £22 per month. This means you get unlimited classes and also get 10% off Rosemary Conley products including the magazine.


On joining there was a medical questionnaire you had to fill in and thus are fairly responsible. I am also impressed with the training that the leaders have as they are all trained in nutrition and fitness. I feel reassured by this. I also like it as the different products are not pushed too heavily. The only one Ruth really promotes id the magazine. I would not feel comfortable if all the products such as fitness gear, food, and cooking gadgets were promoted.

There is one disadvantage I can think of compared to Weight Watchers. Once you achieve your target weight you do not get free membership so have to keep paying infinitum.

Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness is a common sense program. We all know we should exercise regularly, eat more fruit and less fat and sugar but we often fin it hard. For that little extra support I would recommend Rosemary Conley as a grad aid to losing weight.

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