The Femme Files

Maggie’s HYPOXI Diary 2

Week 2:  My first week of HYPOXI

Hey Femmefile readers, I am a bit late on my post, but I did complete 3 sessions last week and I am beginning my first for this week, so I will repost on Friday. To help give some context, I took a photo at the studio today of what the machine looks like… Now,  before I go into detail about my HYPOXI sessions, let me explain my first appointment.

I met with my treatment consultant, who as I said last week, couldn’t have been lovelier. She had me fill out some paperwork regarding my health history, current diet and exercise regime as well as my goals with HYPOXI. I wrote that I was looking to lose some kilos and shape up my problem areas.

I was given a list of “do’s” and “don’ts” to follow that would help me achieve my goals. To my surprise they weren’t anything I couldn’t handle:

• Commit to HYPOXI for three times per week for the next 4 weeks.
• Drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water per day to help flush out toxins.
• No exercise after my HYPOXI session.
• Avoid processed carbs for 4 to 6 hours after completing my HYPOXI session. Protein and veggies are ok.

I am explained that the latter two guidelines are for not disrupting the fat burning mode that my body will be put into through my HYPOXI session. My target heart rate for fat burning is 125 so when I am undergoing the session, I have to keep my heart rate up to this level. The consultant explains that – my body will continue to burn fat after the session, but if I consume carbs straight after, my body will burn the carbs and not the fat. That makes sense.

One of the things that attracted me to Hypoxi is that it does not promote any restrictive diets, but I am told it is in my best interest to keep a healthy diet (avoiding fatty and sugary foods) because with any weight loss regimen, combining diet with exercise will enhance results. Fair enough.

After learning about these guidelines, my consultant takes me to the dressing room to measure me. I feel myself getting really nervous. This young, thin woman is going to measure me? She must have been able to sense I was nervous and she assured me that she sees plenty of women on a daily basis and I was in good hands.

After my weigh and measure, she configures my settings for the L250 machine, the one pictured above. I put on a heart rate monitor and a temperature gauge around my leg. My consultant then helps me wriggle through a tight, wetsuit-like skirt which locks me into the pod that my waist-down are now encapsulated in.

I start peddling, which I have to say is quite weird lying down. I feel a suction mechanism in the pod that I am peddling in, and it feels like I want to be pulled into it. It is so strange! I am told that this is the vacuum therapy that is drawing my blood to my surface fatty acids which are to be burned off through my exercise.

My consultant puts on a Sex & The City DVD for me to watch during my session. I am so greatful for the attention and concern I receive. I also feel good about being in a private environment – it feels more like a day spa than a gym to me.

When I finish I’m quite sweaty and my legs felt hot! When the pod opens up, I feel this intense heat wave come out of it. This is good I’m told. It shows that I am improving the circulation to the lower half of the body and the heat is a by product of this, which the temperature gage on my leg measures.

So..one week down and three to go. I am quite confident I can commit to this regime!

For more information or to find your closest HYPOXI studio visit us at www.hypoxi.com.au