Neil Moodie goes to bootcamp

Hair maestro Neil Moodie and make-up maven Wendy Rowe are starting the new year with a hardcore fitness retreat in Ibiza. They've blogged their experience for us.

Day 1 of the launch of No 1 Bootcamp in Ibiza. Our day starts at 7.30am sharp (there are physical punishments for lateness!!!) with a weigh-in by Royal Marine Trainers Karl and Dave (neither of us wanted to know our current weight ­ we're waiting until the last day!). Even the test was hard work­ then there were two hours of pure circuit training on the beach. It was super tough, especially having to go in the freezing cold sea at the end - supposedly to reduce lactic acid - we're not convinced yet but we went in anyway! Lunch was so light, we thought it was a starter, so we're living in hope of snacks later on. Our day finished with a five-mile hike through the hills ­- thank goodness the views are nice ­- and 90 minutes of yoga.

Neil says: My legs and knees are aching, and my chest is tighter than you can imagine. In summary, I seriously need to get into shape,and i'm in the right place for sure. It's all about teams and times!! Wendy says: I'm not anywhere near as fit as i thought I was, and it's tougher than I expected. Maybe it's about me changing my frame of mind as I can be impatient, and there's no room for impatience here. Dreading tomorrow in a strangely positive way.

Just as we thought it couldn't get any harder, we were up this morning at 7.30am for a one hour run, which was our worst nightmare, especially climbing those 279 steps halfway through. Unexpectedly though, we felt great afterwards and could have run further! Luckily we didn't because after breakfast, we were straight into boxing training for two hours to pumping house music - which we both loved. It's not for wimps though! Next down to the beach for circuit training, and back into the freezing cold sea to ice the body so there's no pain tomorrow. It worked yesterday, much to our dislike, so now no matter how bitter cold it is, we will be doing this every day for sure. This is all before lunch! We have burnt off some calories already, but everyone's getting sugar cravings as the food is calorie controlled by the great nutritionist/chef Andy. The lunch is small but tasty, which is very handy as we are back to back, with hardly any time for relaxing. The afternoon is a hike for 3hrs up and down those mountains again - harder than yesterday (and longer). Took a quick hot bath to soften hurting muscles, then straight to Emma Faith the resident massage therapist - thank goodness she's here. We're tiger balmed up and off to bed early!!

Wendy says: body starting to really become sore, and tomorrow is going to be tough. The guys are really great trainers, but I could never be in the military!

Neil says: I've discovered muscles I didn't know existed, and my sugar cravings aren't as bad as i thought they might be. Somebody's sneaked in a bottle of wine which is banned in bootcamp- I'm resisting the wine, although my M&S sugar free sweets have become the camps secret poison!! I'M ACHING!

During this morning’s 7:45am run, Wendy asked one of the trainers to push her further. All we can say is ‘be careful what you wish for,’ as it was the hardest run of her life. “I was told I didn't need my music which I normally like to use to run, and he pushed me so hard I felt like my body was giving up on me. I suddenly developed training Tourettes and the phrases "Come on Wendy, it's just your mind telling you that you want to give up" and "don't let it beat you" will stay with me forever.

Neil, however, woke up on a more positive high after his low yesterday. He found the run much easier and was even laughing at the end of it.” With two lots of circuit training between breakfast and lunch, we were working more in teams today and we both enjoyed the camaraderie as it stopped us thinking about how tired we are. They even threw in an exercise called the Jane Fonda which gave everyone a giggle as it's a specific military exercise. Good to know Jane still has an impact after all these years. Best news of the day – after another six mile hike after lunch, we were allowed to stop at a cafe and have a treat of a latte, cappuccino, hot chocolate or even a low calorie ice cream. This isn't normal Bootcamp procedure but the trainers decided that this inaugural Ibiza camp was turning out to be tougher than predicted because of the mountainous terrain!

Wendy says: Feeling super tired, and I'm off my food and having no cravings (what's that all about?). Today I understand the meaning of digging deep. To do a Bootcamp you have to focus 110 per cent without any outside distractions. My advice, if you do it - turn your phone off!

Neil says: Everyone noticed my mood change from yesterday and I noticed other people’s lulls today, so I tried to advise where I could. I'm feeling more hungry today than I have been, but me and Danny (Rampling - yes people - the Godfather of DJ'ing is here training with us too), managed to get a couple of extra meatballs for dinner. Happy days!

The last day of exercising and we cannot believe we've made it. We were allowed a lie in this morning – breakfast at 9am. We donned our hiking gear for the last time and set off on one more mountainous adventure. Twelve miles later, we arrive back at the villas. None of us could believe we had walked as far as we had, nor quite as fast. Then the penny dropped! We're actually fitter and lighter than when we arrived so our fitness levels had increased dramatically. Eureka! We're all looking forward to lunch but the low calorific diet (pea and spinach soup today), stays with us until the bitter end! Delicious though so no complaints. Finally, off to the beach for a game of Rounders after lunch. (Wendy got really competitive and we were on opposite teams but Neil’s team won!) The losing team had the forfeit of going into the cold sea for the last time. A well earned couple of chill out hours before dinner, then the whole group went into Ibiza town for a few drinks. Everyone let their hair down and got dressed up after a hard week of training, plus alcohol was allowed, so a fun night was had by all!

Neil says: I'm relieved it was the last day of exercise, but I feel amazing. My energy levels are up and I cannot believe I've made it through the week. It's a miracle!
Wendy: First and foremost, my normally, slightly too tight skinny jeans are suddenly loose. I'm amazed how much energy I have obtained following this week of intense exercise, and would DEFINITELY recommend a new year bootcamp to everyone!