When I first saw pictures of Jodie Marsh in all her golden body-building glory I was horrified. But at the same time I was strangely intrigued and impressed - it was evident that she had literally pushed her body to its limit to look like that. It had been early mornings, late nights and massive changes in habits to achieve it. Before being a fitness crazy body builder, I was used to seeing Jodie as a stick thin glamour model with ridiculous boobs. Somehow I preferred the new Jodie.
Now I've always liked Jodie Marsh - she seems down to Earth and actually very bright compared to a lot of airhead models that act as fodder for the celebrity world. And now it seems she's quite the business-woman too.
Being a self-confessed Twitter addict, I started following Jodie, and was immediately impressed by her endless promotion of healthy eating and exercise. What I wasn't aware of was that Jodie has launched her own brand of fitness supplements - including Herbex (a herbal concoction claiming to aid acne and promote a glowing complexion); Bulldog (a meal replacement); and Semtex, a thermogenic fat-burner that staves off hunger pangs and heightens energy levels during work-outs.
Semtex immediately interested me. Masses of both men and women were sending in before and after shots of themselves to Jodie's Twitter, and almost all of the results were really impressive.
I'm no stranger to working out. I go to the gym most days for at least an hour, combining a lot of hard cardio and weight machinery to aid toning. I'm also a healthy eater, living on a low carb diet to minimise bloating - which I'm really prone to genetically. (I've had a pot belly since I was 12.) But sometimes I do look at myself and think - "Is it actually doing anything? I still don't look like a model despite all this hard work." I still go any way though - my mum is a fitness freak so massively encourages exercise. It also improves my asthma and helps me sleep better.
So I thought I'd try Semtex. Why not? I've had thermogenics before that helped me lose weight fast, but gave me nausea and dizziness; and the weight was back on within a fortnight of coming off them. It seemed like a good idea to try something different that was obviously working for other people.
I must admit that I bought mine off Amazon. Jodie promotes her website "JSTJodie", but as I got to the checkout I realised that p&p was a fiver! Amazon sent them without a delivery charge - so it was a no-brainer for a skanky student like me to go for that instead. (Sorry Jodie!) It is advised that you take a single tablet in the morning on an empty stomach. I'm not a big fan of massive breakfasts, so I usually just have a cereal bar and a cuppa. I was starving this morning so I had one about half an hour before popping my first pill and setting off to the gym...
The first thing I noticed was that it makes me very sweaty. Disgusting, I know. I'm usually not a massively sweaty person unless I REALLY go for it, but on Semtex I was sporting soggy underarms just from the walk to the gym. This is unheard of!
I started off on the rower - my favourite piece of machinery. It makes me ache afterwards, which I like! Plus it's a good way to tone up arms - which a lot of girls tend to neglect. I can usually manage twenty minutes before starting to feel tired, and usually burn 170 calories in that time. Today was different though! I managed half an hour, with energy still to spare, and burned 285 calories. So not only had it extended my work-out time, it had increased my performance.
After this, I hit the arc-trainer - which is like a cross between a stepper and a cross-trainer. It was a doddle for a full half hour. I felt so energetic! I'd burnt another 330 calories - taking my total so far to over 600 cals. By this time my back and cleavage were sodden, but I still didn't feel tired. I'd done a full hour and was still not waning.
So what next? I felt invincible. Sprint intervals on the bike. This involves cycling a pattern of medium and high effort, to really get your heart going. The programme I go by is usually a minute at level 12, then 30 seconds at level 21 - which I'm forced to stand up for and really really go for it. I usually get really really tired after doing this, and get it out of the way half way through a gym session. Today I felt good - it was no harder than usual, if anything it was easier - and I'd already worked out for an hour. I burned 110 calories in 20 minutes - which isn't huge, but it's great for toning and blitzing cellulite.
(One thing I would say at this point is make sure you have a BIG bottle of water or squash with you when working out on Semtex. My mouth was as dry as Ghandi's flip-flop, and my lips felt chapped. Obviously the amount of sweat pouring off me was seriously dehydrating - so I was thankful for my litre of water.)
After the bike I was DRIPPING. I needed a sit down to cool off - so it was time for some weights. Hip adduction is one I like to focus on (the one where you sit with your legs apart and have to push weighted pads inwards.) This machine is great for inner thighs - I don't dream of having a major thigh gap, but I know it's possible for me as I have naturally slim legs, and I usually do have a thigh gap. I also get bad cellulite on my inner thighs - so this is a good one for me. I did 100 reps at 90lbs. It hurt, but was achievable. I would have usually give up at 50 reps. I know that I will ache a bit tomorrow - bu no pain no gain eh?
Next for hip abduction, which works your bum and outer thighs. Mine aren't flabby, but have patches of cellulite. Another 100 reps at 70lbs. I felt good, and by now a bit tired. So off I went.
Overall, a great first day on Semtex. I haven't felt too hungry either which is nice - usually between meal my tummy is grumbling away! Will keep you updated with what I have achieved same time next week :)
#SEMTEX #SEMTEXBUNNY #SEMTEXARMY
@JSTJODIE @JodieMarsh
