Case Studies

For years I have struggled with my weight with yo-yo dieting (atkins, low carb, intermittent fasting, weight watchers, slimming world etc) and trying out every latest gym/fitness fad or app. I would be super regimented and focused for a few days then I would get frustrated, annoyed or disheartened and then rebel and eat 'naughty' things and give up on exercise. When work was frustrating I would also comfort eat crisps (family size packs!) and could easily polish off a bottle of wine as a 'treat' to myself to forget the stresses of the day. All this was made worse when a) I broke my ankle and then b) ate and drank a lot to make lockdown more interesting and with minimal exercise. I gained a stone in weight with each of those events. As we approached the easing of lockdown restrictions and a summer to be able to go out and see people, get out of my leggings and trackie bottoms and get dressed up nice again, I was suddenly anxious about my 2 stone weight gain (on top of a weight I wasn't happy with), wearing nice clothes that now didn't fit and seeing people again. I was worried about what they would think/say when they saw me and the weight I had gained. Back in March I did a virtual juice retreat which was great as it was a quick health boost. It was a week of no work, lots of yoga and fitness zoom classes and lots of time for reflection. I learnt to love juicing and the energy and good health feeling it gave me and I did lose some weight. But after that week ended and I was back to my daily routine, I was starting to get back into my old habits and the weight I had lost was starting to creep back on. I realised I needed to change my mindset. I KNEW everything I needed to do I just couldn't find the right attitude in my head to stick to it for longer than a few days. I found Davinia's number online and saved it for a few days procrastinating about calling her - worrying that it would just be another thing that I would start and give up on. One Saturday morning I was feeling fed up and frustrated with myself and I spontaneously and nervously called her. We talked for almost an hour but it flew by! I felt like I was chatting to an old friend about my frustrations with myself and my behaviours. She seemed to know me and my behaviours and suggested why I might be sabotaging myself and what emotions were possibly going on under the surface

Kate Perry

I have been training with Davinia since September 2020 and I can honestly say it’s one of the best decisions I have ever made. When I was younger, I had always felt ‘chubby’ and my weight did yo-yo, but I also did a lot of exercise (dance classes and rugby) so it was easy to drop half a stone here or there if I wanted. Looking back, I now realise I was never fat. I was probably a size 12 but my best friends were natural size 8s, so I was always comparing myself to them. When I started with Davinia I wasn’t in a good place mentally, physically or emotionally. I had put on weight slowly and steadily since having my daughter and son and then piled on a lot more during the first national lockdown. My little family and I had been through some very tough times and I had fallen into the habit of comforting myself with chocolate and wine most evenings. Size 18 clothes were now a good fit and it took me forever to find something I felt ok wearing. I didn’t feel good about my appearance, I constantly worried about what people were thinking of me and I shied away from social situations. Bumping into an old friend was my idea of a nightmare. I had kind of resigned myself to the fact that I would always be large. I looked at larger women on social media and thought to myself, “they are happy being that size, so I should be happy too”. I dreaded things like family gatherings with people I hadn’t seen for a while because I knew they would notice my weight. BUT after constantly joking and laughing off conversations that ever brought up health and weight, I decided that eventually enough was enough and I knew I had to do something as I was becoming more and more unhappy. So, I took the plunge and booked to start a weight loss package with Davinia after she was recommended to me by a friend. I remember our first conversation on the phone. I was nervous and had a lot of self-doubt about whether I could get any weight off, but I remember when I got off the phone saying to my husband “it’s like we’ve known each other for ages”. She made me feel so comfortable and I genuinely looked forward to our first meeting even though I felt apprehensive and nervous too. That first meeting was emotional! We talked a lot about my goals and my thoughts and beliefs about myself. I cried. But Davinia made me feel like it was ok. I had started my journey by just being there and for that

Nikki

Having had personal training with Davina many years ago I reached out to her recently as I was feeling a bit ‘stuck’ but couldn’t quite identify why I was feeling this way. After a chat we agreed that coaching rather then training would suit my needs best. Through these coaching sessions Davina has has given me the tools to break down why I was feeling ‘stuck’ . In our coaching sessions she listens carefully and is always able to help me get to the root of what is holding me back and then provides the tools for me to identify what I want from my life (short and long term) and how to create realistic goals to get me there. New to the world of self discovery she has broken things down into manageable sizes and encouraged me to push my self bit by bit. I have discovered so much about myself and Davina has a way of seeing things in me that I hadn’t seen before. Davina as a person is extremely warm and caring and gives her support daily not just in her sessions.

Paula McDonnell

Before I started working with Davinia I felt very unmotivated and low in confidence. However, it didn’t take long for that to change once I started working with her! Personal training with Davinia is an amazing experience as you learn so so much from her. The support I got from her was amazing. There’s no way I would of reached my personal goal if it wasn’t for her! She showed me support every step of the way and kept me motivated the whole time. I loved how she pushed me out of my comfort zone to help me achieve my best not only physically but mentally too. Since working with Davinia I’m in a much better place as I’m more aware on how to eat more nutritious foods, I’ve learnt a lot more exercises and I feel a lot more confident not only in my appearance but also mentally stronger. As a result of training with Davinia I also feel a lot more motivated and have learned new skills and lessons with her that I can carry with me through life. An example is creating a vision board. This has not only had an impact on me but my whole family as they have joined in doing it with me, but personally I feel like this is an amazing thing to do as it keeps you motivated to reach your goals and gives you something to work towards (this is just one of many things that I have learned from her). For anyone thinking of working with Davinia I would say 1000% do it!!! Before I started training with her, I thought that it would take me weeks to achieve my personal goal however after just one session with her, that changed instantly! I felt so motivated to work even harder with her to reach my goal and achieved it in the shortest amount of time possible! I was so impressed that I could loose the weight that I wanted to in such a short amount of whilst still enjoying everting single minute of the exercise even though it wasn’t easy, it so worth it!!

Rachael Allen

Before starting with Davinia, I was unfit, overweight and stuck in a rut of feeling unable to exercise due to my weight and then putting on weigh because I wasn’t exercising. As a result, I had little motivation and low self-esteem. I wasn’t accountable to myself and was miserable. I knew I had to do something before my health was impacted long-term. I was recommended to Davinia through a friend who had changed her health and lifestyle with Davinia’s help. When I first met Davinia I knew I had made the right choice, her positivity and energy is infectious. She listened to me and how I live my life and what I wanted rather than what she thought I should be doing. She checks in with me and sends me motivation and when I’ve not been fully on track, she’s refocused me to looking forward on something I can change and not dwelling on the past as it’s all about balance and maintaining a lifestyle. I have lost over a stone and lots of inches – which are more important to me by making sensible choices and exercising and not feeling like I’ve given up everything I enjoy (I do love wine!) I exercise most days either running or HIIT which I never would have got to without Davinia’s support and focus. Most importantly I’m doing it for me not anyone else and I’m enjoying it. I loved buying size 12 dresses even if I didn’t go anywhere this Christmas! I was reluctant in committing to at PT, I don’t like the shouty type I’ve seen as they just make me want to run to the nearest cake shop and I didn’t want someone who was going to make me feel guilty for enjoying the things I like. Davinia has helped me change my mindset, whilst not making me feel guilty for having a wine at the weekend its all about balance and 80/20. Davinia has allowed me to get back to being me again. Although I’ve not seen many people due to the lockdown, friends I’ve spoken to and told them about my results have been inspired to make better choices and that makes me feel great too. If you’re considering using a coach personal trainer then my advice would be DO IT! The financial cost which is a consideration is definitely less than replacing my whole wardrobe of clothes that didn’t fit me (and do now!) I feel like I’ve found me again as well as lots of clothes in my wardrobe and I am no longer hiding behind excuses to get out there and do it. Thank you Davinia!

Emma Campbell

I didn’t know where I was before I met Davinia. I had no sense of direction, and I didn’t realise at the time how un-happy I really was. I had no confidence, motivation no care for my health and wellbeing my eating habits were out of control. I had just turned 20 and I knew something had to change. My issues with food, exercise, motivation and confidence I didn’t realise were stemmed from issues in the past. It wasn’t till I started my PT course and coaching that I truly understood this and put these problems to rest. Davinia coached me through difficult conversations I had with my family, and made me truly realise what I was worth. I now am changed for the better. Davinia taught me that by adopting and living a happy, positive, healthy lifestyle it truly can better your life. I have lost weight and gained confidence. My mindset is in a completely different place. I do have my down moments like everyone does, but Davinia is right there to help and keep me on track. Davinia has pointed me in a new direction of life and she has inspired me so much, I’ve even started to study to become a PT myself. If you're not sure whether you should start this journey if you're thinking it’s not the right time or am I ready for this. Stop, and just do it. If I knew that I was going to be where I am now at the beginning of this journey, I would have started much sooner, and that’s all down to Davinia. She is funny, kind, warm, generous I could go on and on. I have been able to open up to her about things I have never spoken about before she has helped me transform my body and mind, and for that I am forever thankful and grateful. Just do it start your new life now because trust me you won’t regret it !

Alex C

Before starting with Davinia, I was very unhappy with my body and my health. I was lacking energy and all of my clothes wouldn’t fit me, apart from leggings and baggy t-shirts. At that point I decided it was time to do something about it. The support that I have received has been simply amazing. Achievable goals were set and the exercise matched and changed where I was at with my body and health. Small steps, grew into big steps with plenty of support and encouragement from Davinia who has such a positive energy, which quickly rubbed off onto me. I am much happier with my body, health and wellbeing – I feel fitter and stronger and a lot more confident in myself. I started off hating the idea of running, but now do between 10km-15km a week, all of my own choice and never pushed by Davinia – there is no point doing a type of exercise, if you do not enjoy it as it isn’t sustainable. I now live with a balanced mind-set and do not deny myself a glass or two of bubbles or a chocolate bourbon biscuit…but I know that if I do, I need to offset it with exercise – a run or a long family walk. Davinia is simply amazing - she has supported me with changing my mind-set and my approach to food and exercise. I never feel pressured to do anything I do not want to do, but simply encouraged to make the right choices. She keeps me accountable to myself, but in her bubbly, kind and happy way. I definitely could not have achieved what I have achieved without her support and encouragement. It has been worth every penny and you simply cannot put a price on your health.

Charlotte Gomez

Finally I have started juicing and I am amazed at how much more energy I have. It’s incredible. I know you said that would happen. But still. Also thank you for our coaching sessions recently. My confidence and self esteem have been very low and I have felt very unhappy in my job and in myself. But you have given me the skills to believe in myself again and I feel so much better. I also have set myself on the path to retrain for a new career as we talked about and I’m now also changing my diet around too so I have more energy. I’m feeling extremely positive about things now. Thank you. Can’t wait for our next session in December.

Sarah

Thank you Davinia for helping me turn so much around in the last 5 months. I can’t believe I have lost 3 stone already. And I have also got my blood results back and they are not pre diabetic any more. I am so pleased that I signed up to coaching and personal training with you. Next year I want to focus on improving my self confidence and also tone up my body so that I can finally wear a swimsuit. I know with your help and support I will get there. You have been a life line for me. Thank you

Sam K.

Hi Davinia I have dropped 6kg in the last 10 weeks with you and i feel better than ever. You have inspired me to live healthy and this is the result of the juicing, eating mainly plant based foods and the exercise. I feel like a new person and I am motivated and happy again. Thanks Davinia

Elaine - Rickmansworth