I’m sure many of you will understand the weight gain battle for busy women with busy lives. The constant grabbing food on the go and no time to cook a healthy meal from scratch. I put pressure on myself to get to the gym but then I neglect my business, housework, children, husband in the process all whilst trying to lose weight. I am fit, its not about getting fit for me. I feel I chase my tail constantly and it was making me miserable. Today I made a lifestyle change, I decided to stop putting so much pressure on myself to get to the gym and instead just go when I have some leisure time free and I already feel like a weight has been lifted. How many of you suffered that guilt feeling for not going daily? It would put me in a bad mood with myself if I could not get to the gym and it would always be the husbands fault even though it wasn’t, although I did envy his skill to always manage leisure time daily, sometimes twice per day. Some days I would squeeze in a session but still have so much to do after that I would end up not eating correctly hence chasing my tail and never losing weight!
My sister in law and brother inspired me to stop worrying about the gym and just eat healthy so I have joined my local Slimming World group because I need the discipline of getting weighed weekly and I have previously done slimmers world.
Tonight is the perfect example of how this change has worked. I came home from my day job as a dental practice manager at 2pm, picked up my kids, popped to the shops for groceries with my son, popped to royal mail office, came home and made myself a very late healthy scrummy lunch and cooked for the boys, house work got done and I have had time to sit and write two blog posts without no stress or guilt feeling for not attending the gym.
I will lose my stone through diet alone and will hit the gym as and when I have time but what I wont do is feel guilty about it.
We are not super women and cant do it all ladies and that’s OK! Lets stop putting so much pressure on ourselves .
As I drove up the drive way I was taken a back by the exquisite surroundings. The Spa at Seaham Hall Hotel was the 1st building you come to and it has its own private car park to the left so parking is a breeze. As I walked up to the entrance I got a few snaps of the tranquil gardens and fountains.
I was greeted by very friendly reception staff who offered me some sparkling water or some cloudy lemonade, I went with the lemonade which was refreshing. After filling in my medical questionnaire Amanda gave me a guided tour of the spa. Amanda was very informative and very nice. She made me feel most welcome.
After my tour Amanda guided me to the changing area and gave me my robe, slippers and towel and explained how to use the lockers. Towels are freely available to use as many as you need. I got changed into my swimsuit, robe and slippers and headed straight for my treatment as I was booked for my massage at 11.15.
I was met by Sarah who took me into the treatment room for my 35 min well being back massage. I was asked if I had any medical conditions she needed to know about, how I liked my massage and what oil I would like (I went with Detox). I was told I could wear some paper pants to spare my own, and to climb on the heated bed and make myself comfortable while she left the room. The bed was very comfortable indeed and even without the massage I felt relaxed. Sarah re entered the room moments later and began the treatment, smothering the back of my body (legs and feet included) in oil. Sarah didn’t scrimp on oil neither which was a bonus!. Sarah gave me a medium/firm massage at my request, also making sure I was happy with the pressure at the start. Sarah started with one side of the body top to toe, then the other side and then she went to town on the back. My shoulders were a tad knotty so Sarah gave them a little more attention. I really enjoyed my massage and left feeling relaxed and excited for the rest of the day.
After the massage I was led to the ZEN lounge to re-hydrate with water and a tasty sorbet. The zen room has amazing movable heated beds with blankets. There is complimentary fruit and nut in there and it was a lovely tranquil hangout to read some magazines while I waited for my lunch reservation at 12.30pm in the Ozone Resturant.
At 12.30pm I went for lunch in the Ozone Restaurant. I could either pick a starter and a main or a main and a starter. I went for the starter and a main. I had duck pancakes for starter and Chicken Tikka for my main course. The restaurant is oriental in style which fits beautifully with the spa and I love the fact you can wear your robe and slippers too. The restaurant is where you can have an alcoholic drink as no alcohol is permitted in the spa areas. Very friendly staff again served me, taking my order and making sure my water was topped up. The food was delicious and portions generous. I could not eat it all to my disappointment but made sure I told the staff how nice it was.
After my food I was keen to get in and use the facilities. Even without a treatment this spa has plenty to keep you entertained. You have the Sauna, the Sanarium (like a sauna but not as hot), the Hamman (amazing steam room with showers and a Jacuzzi pool inside), the Hydropool (a strong jetted pool which I was told helps with cellulite), the aromatherapy steam room, 2 plunge pools, 2 outdoor Hot tubs and of course the main pool itself. I did 15 mins in the Sanarium, 10 mins in the hydropool, 15 mins in the outdoor hot tubs and then 10 mins in the steam room. My favorites being the steam room, hydrapool and outdoor hot tub. The areas are clean and tidy. There is plenty of water freely available too.
After I tried out all the facilities, I decided I could not leave without testing out the gym, so at 2pm I went and got my gym gear on and headed on up. The gym was amazing. The equipment was new and very good quality. I wish this gym was closer to me as I would join in a heart beat. It is the type of gym that you would look forward to go to and I know this may be a little hard to believe but trust me! Everything works, everything looks new, its tidy, its modern technology within the machines, its cool and its clean. Its a gym bunny’s dream and I certainly made the most of my 45 minutes in there with my faithful Michael Jackson blasting through my headphones.
After I blasted out a 300 cal burn it was sadly time for home but I had managed to fit everything in which was great. I really enjoyed my visit to Seaham Hall Serenity Spa and I hope I have given you all a great insight to my visit. I think this deal is great value for money considering the massage treatment alone costs £65, add on your 2 course lunch and use of the facilities and you have yourself a great bargain for only £80pp. Its a great time to treat yourself in July ladies but be quick as I wouldn’t want you to miss it. I have a feeling this deal will be popular so don’t delay in booking. Thanks so much to everyone at Seaham Hall for inviting me along and making me feel so welcome. I will definitely be back!
To book call: 0191 516 1400 and mention you seen the deal on Tried and Tested
