Author: Matt Fruci

Shakes for weight loss?

“Matt, what do you think of using shakes to help me lose weight?”

Do you want my honest answer? 

Of course, you do…​​

Well, like most things in nutrition, fitness and weight loss…it really depends.

I can’t really say it’s wrong or right for you without knowing your situation.

To add some context to the question above..

The lady who asked this question had done Slimming World before 

Has some good weeks and some bad weeks

But loses motivation quickly.

So, I’m going to summarise by considering these 3 things below so you can make a decision:

1) Convenience: 

Starting a weight loss plan can be difficult, especially when you have to change loads at once. If you’re the type of person who:

– hates preparing and weighing foods

– Will go into the F it mindset if it’s not perfect

Then using a shake or two MAY be better for you. 

HOWEVER…

I’m obviously an advocate of WHOLEFOODS. 

But I get that meal planning can seem quite time consuming. 

This is why we help you do this… 

2) Quality of nutrition. What about deficiencies?

So, one of the concerns is that by having a shake, you may not get the nutrients you need.

Now, this might be true if you go for one of those sugary meal replacement shakes…(although many do have vitamin supplements thrown in)

But the way I advise this would be to make it yourself.

For example: 

1 handful of berries

1 handful of frozen spinach

1 scoop of chocolate or vanilla  protein powder 

250 ml unsweetened almond milk 

Blend and you’re good to go!

So, as you can see, this is pretty nutritious, right? 

In fact, you can add as many veggies as you like..It may even end up being more nutritious as you can hide them in and get the nutrition in even when you’re busy.

For example, on days when I’m super busy with our sessions and one to ones

 I’ll sometimes make a shake to have mid morning, which surprisingly keeps you pretty full up. 

^^^ More on why another day…

3) Are shakes ‘natural’?

This is another question I get, especially with regards to whey protein or vegan protein powders like hemp, pea or soya. 

Now, whey is naturally found in ‘natural’ yoghurt, milk, breast milk, cows milk, formula milk…I could go on.

As for vegan protein powders?

Again, it’s created simply by a process that isolates the protein from peas or soya beans, for example. 

It’s no more ‘unnatural’ than eating things like peanut butter (which is blended and crushed), tomato puree, olive oil (processed food, right?).

In summary…

Its just a tool in the toolbox. That you can you use if you want. Sometimes. Every day. Once a week? Once a month? When you need a kickstart?

Either way?

It’s about personalising this stuff for you. 

So you can avoid any nutrient deficiencies and make this weight loss and fitness stuff convenient for you, your lifestyle, and your family ( as whether you accept it or not, they’re strapped to this health and fitness rollercoaster with you…) so you actually do it, get fit 

And have fun doing it…(dare I say it)

Just like we do in our brand new 8 Week Kickstart Programme 

Specifically for ladies 40+…

For more info,

Just send over a message 

And I’ll get you the details. 

​Matt “shake?” Fruci

So I was chatting one of the ladies on our Kickstart Programme 

And she mentioned that comfort / boredom eating in the evening is her biggest obstacle right now. 

I get that.

It comes up A LOT..

People know what to do but feel a bit out of control.

And you see so many things out there that ‘might’ help…

From eating more protein

Chucking the ‘comfort’ food out

Having a bath

Reading 

Doing something fun instead

Meditating

But – ultimately – sometimes it seems NOTHING can work..

It’s frustrating. 

You might feel like a lost cause .

So instead I thought I’d share something with you that might just put you back in control..

Which is that RESEARCH SHOWS that when you are tired / have lacked some sleep

(let’s face it, we all have a few nights a week we don’t sleep well)

Or are a bit stressed 

(who isn’t?)

YOUR BRAIN WILL PERCEIVE FOOD (particularly foods high in sugar and fat like biscuit and cake)

As MORE rewarding than they actually are.

^^^ read that again

Because just knowing this…

AKA

That your brain may think you want these foods when you are tired/ stressed

Can make you EXPECT it …

Just a thought…

But anyway, the lady I was speaking to then went on to say 

How amazing she feels when she just lets the urge to comfort eat pass.

She isn’t full and bloated

She isn’t feeling sick

Beating herself up 

Or thinking F it I might as well just eat more…

INSTEAD…

She is happy

Proud

Feels more confident she can do this

Sleeps better..

I could go on..

So we came to this conclusion:

Every evening, she is going to WRITE down

(using a pen and paper…remember them?)

How she feels when she CHOOSES to comfort eat

Vs

How she feels when she chooses to do something else comforting…

Because then it becomes a clear choice 

To what she is saying ‘YES’ to when she comfort eats…

A bad night’s sleep?

Feeling out of breath going uphills…

Whatever is important to you…

Attach this to something you value..

And on comfort eating…

Is comfort eating actually DISCOMFORT eating?  After all, how do you feel AFTER ‘comfort eating’?

Does it take you closer to where you want to be, both mentally and with how you look and feel?

My advice to you today?

If you’re having a war in your head about ‘comfort eating’ / cravings etc.

Just start calling this so-called ‘comfort eating’… DIScomfort eating. 

And I know what you’re thinking:

‘That won’t work for me’

But, all I know is that is 100% true if you don’t try it 🙂

And I’m not saying it will work. Everyone is different. I have NO idea what your personal challenges are.

But what I can say is that doing nothing and expecting things to change is insanity…

Matt ‘Discomfort eating’ Fruci

one day away?

Quick one today..

I got this message this week (see pic)

now Paula has lost 3 stone..

But I’m sharing this because 

The problem with “results”

^^ yes there is a problem 

Is that the “present” becomes “normal”

And normal is just normal…

We don’t get excited about normal 

And the problem is we can forget how well we have done 

Which might just mean we stop…

Or just think “is it worth it?”

“I want faster results”

But my question to you is

“Compared to what?”

Because if you’ve not achieved results beyond this before…

Why not just keep going today?

Because what if 

You were just one day away

From getting the results you want.

But you gave up?

Don’t forget…

No matter how small

Progress is progress

And it’s the direction that counts 

Not the speed 🔥

Matt “one day” Fruci

“I’m nervous about my first session”

I get this a lot.

I mean, most of the ladies have experiences of gyms 

That they would rather forget.

Bored

Thinking everyone is looking at them

20 year olds lifting weights 

Feeling intimidated. 

I get it …

But we do things a lot differently to a commercial gym.

We are able to personalise everything for you

Whether you have a aches, pains, or join issues

Or 

If you haven’t exercised for a while

And not sure where to start / don’t have the motivation to do the things you know you need to do .

Don’t take my word for it though

 it was a few of the ladies first workout with us yesterday

So check out the images to see what they said…

I’ve had a few questions about where we are

And what the studio looks like.

So we are based in Marlborough and Devizes at our ladies only personal training studios. 

We also do outside as well.

A lot of people have asked where we are in Devizes,

Here is a little video showing you where:

Matt

PS. Whenever you’re ready, here are 4 ways we can help you:

1- I’ve put together over 200 daily, short, impactful podcasts to inspire and motivate you on doing the things you know you need to do..

ALL for free…

>>> CLICK HERE to grab it for free (if you have an iphone)

If you have an Android, click here

2 – Join Our Signature Kickstart Programme For Wiltshire Ladies 40+ 

The Kickstart can be done from home or with us in our private ladies only studios in Marlborough and Devizes, designed for ladies 40+ that want to take back control of their eating habits, fitness and lifestyle habits.  

If you’d like more details on this? Complete this short application here

3- Join Couples Kickstart for 2 people. Specifically designed for couples or two friends who want to work together to take back control of their eating habits, fitness and lifestyle habits. 

Reply with “couples kickstart” for more info

4- Watch How Cassie From Wiltshire Went From Mobility Scooter To Running Her First 5k & Fitting Back In Her Favourite Clothes Without Long, Boring Workouts Or Giving Up Her Favourite Foods >> CLICK HERE TO WATCH

In 5 years…

So the other day 

My 2 year old wants to go on the Trike (kind of like a bike)

Then my 4 year old decides she wants to go on…

The 2 year old now only wants to stay on the Trike because the 4 year old wants to go on it…

It’s fascinating…

And it got me thinking…

How can we create this level of ‘want’ / ‘motivation’ to do something?

How can we make it so that it feels like we can’t do it anymore 

Which makes us want to do it NOW?

You know, like all of us know exercise is ‘good’ for us..

But the problem with just saying that it is ‘good’ for you

Is that your mind cannot register what you would gain from doing it

Or what you would lose from not doing it…

It almost becomes so cliche: 

“I want to lose weight”

“I want to feel fitter”

“I want to be more toned”

That we can say these things and they have no impact on how we feel or what we do..

Meaning we stay the same. 

PLUS…

We all have our injuries..

And – in particular – a lot of the ladies who start on our Kickstart Programme often have knee issues / hope issues are worried whether they can do this…

Maybe they can no longer do high impact exercise. 

More on that later in this email (I have an option for you)

But for now…here’s a question

Inspired by the Ghost of Christmas Future:

“What happens in 5 years time, if you don’t get a handle on your exercise habits?”

And the reason I ask this?

Well, we sometimes assume that putting things off means nothing will change..

But actually, if we keep doing what we are doing…and doing means nothing?

Things will actually get worse…

This is very clear..

Muscle loss

Bone

‘use it or lose it’ 

Is the motto…

And by use it or lose it?

This doesn’t just mean muscle, bone etc..

This means your independence…

Health

Quality of life…

Not to mention how much it actually COSTS…

For example

What would happen if you totalled up the amount of money it costs to eat / snack when you’re not hungry?

Anyhooo

On to anti-ageing

Which brings me on to what a recent 2020 review in the ‘Nutrients’ Journal discussed when it comes to ageing…

1. Exercise –

• 12 weeks of exercised reduced proinflammatory markers in the body
• High intensity exercise showed benefits for people with rheumatoid arthiritis. 
• In adults aged 18-61, fitness levels are associated with improvements in T cells / white blood cells which boost immune system 
• Postmenopausal women following successful breast cancer treatment showed increase in T cells (suggests healthy immune system) after exercise programme. 

2. Tryptophan -an amino acid protein found in eggs, fish, meats and legumes. 

Linked with serotonin, cognitive function and mood. 

3. Omega 3 fats – found in oily fish / algae. Important for preserving muscle, helping joints, improving mood and has anti inflammatory properties

Interesting stuff..

And I discussed this in more details with researcher Richie Kirwin here: 

If you have Apple device, https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/interview-with-richard-kerwin/id1469685325?i=1000446883823 

If you have Android, https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/fruci-fit-rough-n-ready-880406 

So I will leave you with this:

If you don’t prioritise you …

No one else will..

Because everyone else will come to you 

To help them achieve their priorities…

They don’t mean to get in the way

It’s just everyone is doing their best, for them…

And what if …

You could actually help more people by looking after you first?

Who else would benefit if you put yourself first today?

Even for 6 minutes and tried one of these workouts:

Reverse Ageing

Matt ‘value YOU’ Fruci

If you’ve seen my live daily videos recently 

You’ll probably know 

That I’m in desperate need of a haircut

But reluctant to queue 😆

^^ if you see me and I still haven’t had a haircut, please come up to me and and me “why”…I need accountability 😆 

And the truth is, I keep putting it off

Because I want to have enough time to make sure that I have the full works at the Turkish barber

I feel very lucky to be a man

I get a face mask (the spa kind), a massage, hot towel over the face, eyebrows threaded (I have no idea what that does 😆), a beard trim 

Oh and my haircut too.

And it’s apprises me what a big difference getting this done has to my mood

How I feel

Which all impacts what I do

How I am around others

My patience 

And my results in all areas of my  life from my coaching to being a husband and professional Dad joke teller ..

And it’s a bit like with this health and fitness stuff..

Small things can have a big difference..

Whenever it’s showing up to a workout for the first time

As Sarah did today (see image)

Or maybe something to do with your nutrition,

Like another Sarah mentioned today (see image)

But the thing is

You might be thinking 

“I’d never do that”

I get it

I spoke about this more here

https://fb.watch/4RuPb4VkkK/

Matt

https://frucifit.com/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Ffrucifit.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fedit.php&reauth=1

Sorry to go on…

I was having a chat with one of the ladies who’s about to get started on our Kickstart programme the other day…

And she asked me ‘why is this just for ladies over 40?’..

Which reminded me about why this all started…

You see, I used to just do personal training…

You know, train people in a gym, do some food plans…that was it.

Until I started seeing that a few of the ladies I worked with said that they would never do this on their own without me in the gym…

And it got me then doing programmes that the ladies could do at home and with minimal equipment.

It was no longer something they had to do with loads of equipment in an intimidating gym…

When you feel everyone is look at you…

Where they would worry ‘I will be the most unfit’

‘I will look silly’

‘I’ll be too big’…

And this was I knew I had to do something about it 

when one of the ladies actually had a panic attack in a gym we were in..

She didn’t feel comfortable so we started training in her home…

Her friend then wanted to do it with her and…

That was it..

I decided to launch a programme specifically for ladies over 40…

So the intensity, 

Nutrition 

Environment 

Support  

Can all be bespoke for you..

I count myself as very fortunate to be able to still

Deliver our live sessions for our members all through lockdown..

And now outside classes

And back at the studio for our open ‘Workout of the day’ personal training sessions…

But it just feels a bit weird.

I remember back in 2014 when we first started our programme our ladies only programmes…

No kids at the time..

Had just got married…

And when personal training a woman in a gym 

She felt like everyone was looking at her.

She had a panic attack..

And I just had this vision to create the best ladies only programme in Wiltshire [specifically for ladies over 40]..

I wanted to make it non-intimidating

Somewhere that people who never thought they could find somewhere comfortable to get fit and heathy could go.

And find themselves surprising themselves by actually sticking to it.

For ladies to make friends, not be judged, speak to expert trainers, nutritionists, dietitians, yoga teachers

And get amazing results.

To become stronger – physically and mentally

More confident. 

To overcome adversity..

Like Cassie did here: https://frucifit.com/who-else-wants-results-like-this/

And for the past 7 years or so 

It’s surpassed what I could ever have imagined…

I absolutely love my work

And I still love delivering our live home workouts, outside classes and personal training sessions to all of our members 

[some of them are now able to exercise every day which is amazing…and we will be keeping live workouts from home going, too]

BUT

I am really looking forward to normality

And to officially open the doors today was great…

To see people in person again

But you know what?

None of this is good without people…

Without our amazing community. 

Sorry to go on and on haha

Writing these emails are meant to inspire you to become fitter and healthier…

In fact, this goes to around 4000 ladies in Wiltshire …

I actually find them therapeutic to write. 

This one especially..

So if you’re still reading?

Thanks for listening to this long-winded answer..

In a nutshell:

The reason this is only for Wiltshire ladies 40+…

Is because:

1- Support and community is a big part of this to help you stay motivated and confident that you do not have to do this alone

2- It allows me to make everything more bespoke for you (a woman over 40 wouldn’t do the same thing as a 20 year old guy…)

3- This includes the nutrition and fitness, taking into account injuries, joint issues, diets you’ve tried before, menopause and more

That’s all for now

Matt

PS. here’s some messages I got last week which really reminded me of this (see images in the post)

What happened to Sue

Meet Sue 👋 

Sue started working with us a few months ago.

All from home, of course.

And continues to work with us all from home 

Even as we open up again.

Mainly because she lives quite far from us in Marlborough or Devizes.

But might come and see us soon to say hi to us and the other Ladies in “real life” 

Here’s what Sue said:

“I started Fruci Fit about the 3rd week in November 2020. Then I was frustrated with my stalling WeightLoss and yo-yo dieting – I would binge eat chocolate in the evenings when I was feeling very down emotionally and particularly with my weight and body image. 

So I started  with the 28 day QuickStart – Matt provided a workbook and weekly one- to-one check ins . First one-to-one is to discuss how you are with Food – Fitness-Mindset. How you feel now . What changes would benefit you and your plan of action- 

Matt gives advice on wellbeing and nutrition- and there are daily Zoom exercises you can register for. 

Every day Matt does an early morning Talk which is often mindset and discussions on nutrition – also a daily Accountability challenge – these I have found invaluable and the holistic approach has changed my emotional well-being and relationship with food 

Now nearly five months later my shape has changed so much and although I spent January coping with Covid and it’s after effects I have not gone back to binge eating I have lost 12lbs and am determined to stay on this path 

To anyone struggling with fitness and a difficult relationship with food join Fruci Fit and you won’t look back! Thanks to Matt and his brilliant team !!”

Well done, Sue!

In control of binge eating, body shape changed and 12lbs gone in the process…

Oh and ready for lots of memories with the grandchildren and family.

Like many of the ladies..

Sue had tried lots before 

unsure if this is just going to be another diet…

Another exercise programme that you don’t do..

Another thing to try and fit in.

I get it.

Most of us know what to do 

But still don’t do it.

That’s why we focus on the accountability system (like Sue mentioned above)

To help you do the things you know you need to do

With your food

Fitness 

And self care.

Starting with small habits 

Specific for you ..

Matt

It puzzles me…

Got this message from Gill yesterday (see picture) 

I just wanted to share this

As I get asked what our sessions are like.

From personal training 

To our ladies only small group personal training 

To live from home

To outside classes..

And 

It’s hard to describe sometimes.

But as I talk about a lot.

One of the reasons I started Fruci Fit

Is that I knew that commercial gyms just weren’t doing what they were supposed to do for SOME people.

Yes, they’re great for some..

But after working with one lady who had a panic attack in a gym and wanted me to train her in her home..

To then hear stories from some ladies 

About how they’d just join a gym and never go 

Or when they did go

Just do the same thing

Something they’re comfortable with.

Maybe a the cross trainer.

Someone would come over and ask them if they could help

 But they would just say ‘no thank you, I’m fine’ 

And then wished they’d asked for help…

Then they end up getting bored.

Nothing changes

Doing the same thing…

Not sure what they’re doing is correct…

Whether it is the ‘right’ thing to do…

Intimidated by others in the gym..

20 year olds hitting the weights..

I get it.

It’s not meant to be intimidating 

But if the above resonates..

This is one of the biggest reasons we started doing what we do today.

To have fun

Not take ourselves too seriously 

Meet like-minded ladies on the same journey

Get one to one and group support to keep you motivated 

And – to be honest – give you the kick up the bum 

To do things you know you need to do…

And it was so nice to receive this message from Paula (see image)

About how nervous she was before

But how that was quickly taken away as soon as she got their 

And met the other amazing ladies. 

And me and my team 

Cannot wait to help more people this year

As we open up again 

Matt ‘excited’ Fruci 

What happened to Cathy

Got this message from Cathy last week (see picture)

16kg gone ✅

Clothes getting loose ✅

And – perhaps most importantly – 

motivated to keep going ✅

And I say this because 

What can happen when you try and change 

Is that when you hit a goal (like Cathy has going from size 18 to now size 16 getting loose)

It can actually now feel like it’s just the new “normal”…

Perhaps because you’re taking one day at a time 

And you’re now into great habits. 

But..

the problem with this 

Is that when you lose really quickly 

With the only goal being weight 

There’s the issue of “now what?” 

When you get there. 

Because you did it. 

You got the result that 4 weeks, 8 weeks or 16 weeks ago you would have done anything for..

Maybe couldn’t have even imagined..

Others are commenting 

You have more energy 

You’re feeling more confident 

You have support from others 

But if you’re only looking forwards,

It can be easy to miss the transformation 

The habits 

And the wins you have achieved.

Which means you’re missing out on a load of confidence and more energy 

Which just so happens to be a key factor in quality of life 

And happiness 🤔

My advice

Start today.

Whatever it is 

And write down 3 things you did well each day,

No matter how small. 

You might not even think they’re “wins” because you’re so used to them…

^^^ That’s the issue right there. That’s where we leave confidence and recognition on the table 

So start today no matter how small.

And if you’d like to join Cathy and co

On our next Kickstart for ladies 40+ in Devizes, Marlborough or from home 

Just complete the short form here 

And I’ll be in touch 

Matt