Flabelos

The TWIGs tree

Not many weeks ago I wrote about the things we do (or I do...) for the sake of our appearance. I've had another appointment at the torture chamber, and it wasn't that bad really. I booked to go again in another 4 weeks so I wouldn't chicken out.
Well, just over 3 weeks ago I decided I'd have a lunchtime walk up the Kirklees Trail. I'd been sat at my desk too long and needed some fresh air. I decided to walk back the road way, and I noticed that the post office in Greenmount had changed into some sort of salon. There was a poster up about fake tans, sunbeds, false nails etc, and unfortunately something caught my eye. 'Lose a dress size in 3 weeks....". I know I'm a big sucker but I thought I'd pop in and see what it was all about. 'Flabelos' is a new concept of an old idea (apparently...I'll believe anything). I was told that I could stand on a machine for 10 minutes most days, and in 3 weeks I'd be a dress size smaller. I was told stories of people who couldn't even consider doing up their jeans, yet 2 weeks into a flabelos programme they didn't even have to breathe in. 10 minutes is the equivalent of an hour in the gym. I had nothing to lose, and as luck would have it, the machine was available for me to have my free taster session.

The machine looks like those scales you get weighed on in Boots. You stand on a metal plate with your feet as far apart as they will go and your knees slightly bent. You then hold onto a bar for dear life and press 'start'. I was warned I may feel a bit strange and if I got a stitch, which wasn't uncommon, I should bend my knees more. The owner of the shop (Tan and Tone in Greenmount) stayed with me while the machine set off, then left me to it. It was the weirdest experience. Your whole body wobbles, and after 2 minutes it speeds up. There are 2 more speed ups before it slows down for 2 minutes at the end. You aren't half thrown about for 10 minutes. You don't realise how much you are vibrating until you look down, and your flesh is flying about in all directions (OK, mine was. I suppose not everyone has quite as much). I had strange sensations in my legs and body, and I had to keep checking that I hadn't wet myself as it really felt as though I could have done! The best way to describe it is this. Have you used one of those new Dyson hand dryers? They are bright yellow and in some public toilets. You put your hands slowly into the top, withdraw, then do it again. The skin on your hand looks like it is going to be transformed in some strange Dr Who like experience as it is being sucked, or blown so strongly. Now imagine putting your whole body into one! It feels very odd.

After 10 minutes of me clinging on it stopped, and I meandered back to the reception desk, complete with my sea legs. I was a bit wobbly getting home, but this promise of an easy tone-up was on my mind. I went again the next day and signed up for a months course. Unfortunately I was going away in 3 weeks and a couple of days, so I had to squeeze in the sessions. I kept it up, and whenever I went out in the car I would call in for my daily wobble. Amazingly after just over a week I noticed that some trousers I wear for work did up much more easily.

Here I am 3 weeks and 2 days later, and what have a lost? Thirty pounds is what I have lost. Thirty whole pounds....Great British Pounds Stirling I'm afraid. To be fair, there was never any mention of weight loss. The promise was just a tone up. Well the measurements are in and I've lost 2 inches off my waist,  1.5 inches off my hips, 1.5 inches off my bust and an incredible half an inch  off my thighs. There isn't a noticeable difference, but trousers are looser, so it hasn't been a complete waste of time. In fact, I've quite enjoyed it. I think if I had cut down on food, as they advised, it may have made more of a difference! As far as new experiences go, it is one that's worth a try, even if you just go for a free test. I managed to take a video on my phone, so turn up the volume and see what you think.

Our Twiglets had a great time at the Tottington Wildlife Watch Group last weekend. It was 'Adopt a Tree' day and although we got a few complaints about going outside tree hugging, as soon as we were outside they were running about deciding what tree they wanted. We decided the best tree on our field could be the TWIGs tree, and the Twiglets could choose another each, so they can observe it and the way it changes throughout the year. I've sorted out Twitter and Facebook so we are on each. On Facebook just search for Tottington Wildlife Watch Group, and on Twitter we are @TottingtonWIGS. Please follow us.....we are trying to spread the work!