The Model Diet - Qnola

As mentioned in my SBC workout post, I promised to tell you all more about the Qnola that was given at the end of the workout session.

Photograph by Danielle Copperman

Quinoa Granola (Qnola) is a healthy alternative to your typical Granola breakfast. Granola is packed with sugar, additives, processed dried fruit and many more unwanted extras. I know it's yummy, I was heartbroken too when I discovered this originally thinking of addictive Granola as a healthy breakfast. But unless you read the ingredients and understand what is good and bad you wouldn't have a clue how you are honestly fuelling your body, you know what they say, if you can't say it don't eat it! I am definitely someone guilty of overindulgence with Granola, there is actually quite a few good organic and gluten free brands on the market that I would look at investing in if you can't resist your fix, but now Qnola is on the market I am a Qnola convert. I never missed my normal Granola breakfast at all when I had Qnola in my cupboard. This really is the ultimate no-nasties breakfast, combine it with nut milk or add it to natural yogurt with some fruit to experience something mouthwateringly special... I tried both combinations and couldn't get enough.

Breakfast snap before my first mouthful!

Qnola is rich in antioxidants, nutrients, vitamins and minerals and free from gluten, grains, refined sugar and dairy but is packed with texture and nutty flavour with many superfood ingredients including chia seeds, coconut, goji berries, organic sunflower seeds, almonds and pumpkin seeds. There is also a number of added goodness ingredients in each flavour like beetroot powder, cacao, cinnamon, ginger and agave... healthy never tasted so good! 

Danielle Copperman

We all have the beautiful Danielle Copperman to thank for this heavenly natural, unprocessed creation. Danielle is a qualified nutritionist and model, so if there is anyone who is going to get us that Victoria Secret body it is this woman. If you want to find out more about Qnola you can check out her post about the breakfast that will change your lifestyle over on her blog here.

I also nabbed a few photographs from Danielle's instagram, which I recommend for more healthy meal ideas!

Photography by Danielle Copperman

You can grab your Qnola from The Detox Kitchen at their Kingly Street Deli in London, but it has caused quite the stir.. so if you can get your hands on some you are in luck! They do re-stock the range, so all is not lost. Danielle is also going to be selling Qnola online so everyone no matter where you are can experience this beautiful breakfast...

Glorious. 

The Skinny Bitch Collective Workout

Have you heard about Russell Bateman? If not, where have you been hiding?

The Skinny Bitch Collective

Founder of The Skinny Bitch Collective (SBC) - The IT fitness programme for women, and training the likes of supermodels and athletes, it is fair to say this man is a womens health and fitness bible. Millie Mackintosh, Daisy Lowe and Suki Waterhouse are just a few names who put themselves under the paces of gruelling SBC workouts.

Not to mention his model and nutritionist girlfriend, Danielle Copperman, runs a pretty amazing blog - Model Mangetout and creates the ever so popular Qnola - which you can currently find stocked at The Detox Kitchen in London.

Bateman preaches sex, sleep and squatting, and says your typical SBC class is a combination strength and metabolic conditioning with primal movements for maximum results.. breaking a sweat thinking about it. 

SBC workshop photographs by Russell Bateman/SBC

I guess you could say I am a fitness wannabe, lover of all healthy eats and exercise, I head down to the gym, run like I think I am Paula Radcliffe and lift weights imagining I am going to walk out the gym the next Paige Hathaway, but in reality I am absolutely clueless and my fitness knowledge is honestly pretty basic.

However, being in my "I am the hulk" fitness phase:

"A phase where a person thinks they are far superior in stamina and muscle then they really are, and makes impulsive decisions based on this feeling"

(Ok, so I just made that up).
I decided to sign up to one of SBC's exclusive workshops. 
Bad decision? You might think. The class definitely put me through my paces, including running, crawling, weighted movements, resistance bands.. the list is endless. The term 'full body workout' is an understatement. 

The verdict: 
After struggling with weight loss, fatigue, lack of concentration and energy for at least 6 months now, I was destined to struggle with such an intense class, this was made more obvious when compared to the fitness fanatics that joined me in the SBC workout room. But I learnt a lot and knowledge is key. 

"Going to the gym and spending an hour on a cross-trainer four times a week is like going to the Tate gallery and spending your time looking at the cloakroom." - Russell Bateman, Glossip Girl

I love this quote and must admit I have definitely been guilty of this in the past! I can now take what I have learnt from SBC and put it into practice, work on my fitness ability and maybe next time I will conquer the unconquerable SBC class. It was ultimately an experience and a great one I would recommend it to those who are fit, know the key movements, have the correct form and feel confident with all of these - as the class is of high level. Russell was a great instructor and gave me fantastic advice at the end of the class, even offering his nutritional advice to help me gain muscle. The class really made me want to get healthy again, as after experiencing rapid weight loss in which I lost all my curves, I really struggled with any movements you had to lie down for because of the pain of my back bones and hip bones on the floor. The class made me realise how unhealthy my body is, HUGE WAKEUP CALL! After the workout we all got some of Danielle Copperman's Qnola, which I am planning on doing a whole blog post for, let's just say it was divine. 

Danielle Copperman, Qnola. Image from The Detox Kitchen.

I also seen a quote the other day that really resinated with me and was my main thought while getting the tube back to my flat:

"I have never felt bigger then I did at my thinest" 

I walked into SBC ready to work on my troublesome tummy, but I walked out ready to work on my health.