Wednesday, August 12, 2009

White water rafting, elephants and more.......

Trust me you cannot get bored of waking to such spectacular views!

As we fuss around getting ready for our next day filled with fun and adventure it becomes apparent that Lou is definitely our resident forgetful head, what a laugh if something is missing it is Lous, probably buried in her magic camelback which holds so much stuff it is unbelievable, I truly think it is a black hole in there! We do make it to breakfast and have a guess as to what our smoothy contains today.

Fuelled up we head off in a minivan supplied by the adventure group, they pick you up and drive you everywhere you need to go, in your own private little group, no stress, no fuss. The driver is a bit more subdued than our own racing car driver Wayan so we all sit back and save on our adrenalin stores - for this journey anyway.

We arrive at the location where we will have a go at white water rafting. Funnily enough our guide is called Wayan so no probs there. We look so glam in our crash helmets and life jackets carrying our paddles - wheres Australias Next Top Model when you need em?

A short walk down to the boat/raft says Wayan who disappears into the bushes. So barefoot off we go and go and go and go, short walk my .....well you get the idea it is a fair hike down down down to the water. As we arrive at our raft Wayan is pumping it up - I'm thinking 'I hope this is normal practice' or this could be interesting,either that or he is worried we may sink it - only joking.

We climb in and take up our positions (Ali is sure she will be the one who falls out) a quick training session in the commands to follow, lean this way, boom boom means hang on and lean into the boat - hoping to get plenty of those! and of course FORWARD or BACK that means we have to work. Off we go and it is great fun, splashing of other people on the river is obviously a given (well by us anyway). We only got stuck up on a boulder once and as you can imagine 5 chicks in a boat and a guide yelling "BACK" as we are killing ourselves laughing must have been a sight, eventually Lous call breaks through the noise "PADDLE BACK" oh yeah okay, and digging in we drag ourselves off the boulder and continue our ride. The ride finishes with us being able to jump out of the raft and ride the current to the finish point on a river bank. Great fun, a bit of exercise which is good and beautiful scenery. I would have loved more hardcore rapids but thats just how I am.

Of course now we have to get back up from river level, yep you got it Climb, climb, climb only with an added challenge, trying to get by all the hawkers - "wanna buy a wooden elephant,or maybe a carved bike etc etc etc". No, but is anyone selling thongs? my bloody feet are not too good on these paths - no I don't want a sarong I want some thongs, head down ignore them - no thanks, no thanks, no thank you, hang on look back over the shoulder and NOOOOOOO Manda don'y do it. Yep she stops and starts to haggle for a sarong, gets a great bargain but now the others are like sea gulls after a hot chip, and Manda is the hot chip. We basically end up running up this pathway to the top and our fitness holds up for us as we leave the poor ladies chasing us gasping for precious oxygen. Don't get me wrong the sarongs are gorgeous but how many can you buy?

A shower and great feed, then it's off to the elephant park. What amazing creatures, they are huge and we feed them, pat them have photos with them and then go for a ride on them around the grounds. They are so quiet, for such a large animal they tread so softly and you rock and sway in your seat, very relaxing and although I am not a big fan of animals in captivity these elephants do appear to be really adored by their handlers. A couple of babies are around and another one is on its way later this year. We finish our visit with a coffee and then it is back into our bus to head home.

A full on day but so much fun and we are all sitting in the bus with smiles on our faces and I have never seen everyone so relaxed, but our day isn't over yet!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Better late than never Bali continued

We awake to the most amazing view across mountains shrouded in mist. A very quick shower in our outside bathroom and off to brekkie.

Breakfast is served in a beautiful outside area in between rice paddy fields. A fresh fruit smoothie and banana pancakes yummy a nice cup of lemongrass tea and relaxed conversation - what a way to start the day.

A bit of exploring and then we all head off with our bamboo walking poles for a 2hour hike through the local hills and village. A bit challenging in some places but absolutely refreshing to see life in its most basic form.

Lunch is amazing and as we will experience every meal is made from local fresh produce with very little meat and almost no dairy. Fresh vegies abound and the colours and flavours are a wake up call for your taste buds - the food all has a little bit of bite to it but you get used to it very quickly and remember spicy foods speed up the metabolism heehee.

That afternoon is a cooking class to see how our delicious meals are prepared - it inspires us all to get into some fresh cooking when we get home.

A session of Yoga on the balcony with views to the mountains - it is a fantastic session and our teacher has us in some unbelievable positions and we have an awesome view of the sun beginning to set.

A relaxing dinner and early to bed because tomorrow is our big volcano climb.

3.30AM Wakey wakey rise and shine! Skins and camelbacks and off we go. A decent drive - with less on the roads at this time of the morning and we arrive at a friend of Wayans and Karens who has his own bed and breakfast and fish restaurant.
An introduction to Indonesian toilets with plenty of giggles from Amanda and myself. Our guides arrive and off we go. It is still pitch black and we are given torches a short walk through the town and then into the greenery we go. One of the guides is concerned we are going too fast and we will not make it to the top - haha he obviously hasn't meant the clients and trainers fron body4u. Half way up we take a moment to look out across the volcanic crater and lake below us it is breath taking. The morning mist is beginning to clear and it is just gorgeous.

Onward and upward until we finally reach the summit. In time for the sunrise. We buy a coke each (yeah a coke) and Lou a bali coffee which is in a bloody massive glass and as thick as mud. The local girls climb the volcano every day and set up stalls to sell you these drinks so it is the least we can do to buy one. We take our fresh eggs over the edge onto a ledge and place them into a little hole which is spewing out steam from the semi active volcano beneath our feet. Leave them there for a short while and we have nice freshly cooked eggs and bread for brekkie.

Time to leave and with thoughts of cliffhanger in my mind we walk along a very small ridge line to begin our descent. Where is the chopper to take some great pictures of us? Some singing and laughing and we reach the bottom - all of us taking a look back to actually see where we have been and where we have just come from. Great job guys!

We now head to a spa resort to swim, soak in the hot pools and eat. Followed by a fresh fish lunch at our friends place. The hospitality of the local people is lovely. With our tummies full and feeling very relaxed and invigorated at the same time we head back to our home for a few more days.

When we get back to Ayung Sari Indah we all sit on the balcony with wine and lemongrass tea and one by one have the most incredible thai massage with a local healer called Pak Gadang. Another experience that adds to the already wonderful time we are having.

Dinner and another great night of conversation, relaxation and wonderful food and off to bed.

Stay tuned more to come night night!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Sharing Bali Part 1

Just returned after a fab few days in Bali at a wonderful place called Ayung Sari Indah.

If I wrote everything I would be here for a month so I will try to keep it to maybe a week, ok a bit less then.........A few installments I think.


It all started on Thursday last week with Brekkie at the Coffee Club, followed by a stretched limo ride to the airport with my intrepid travelling companions Amanda, Alison, Louise and Karen.

A flight to Darwin with a few hours to kill in their massive airport - not! So we end up in the little tavern having a wine. Already plenty of laughs. Onto our flight to Denpasar - none of us have experienced such a noisy flight and with plenty of alcohol already consumed by half the people onboard it was only going to get better the longer the flight went. Oh the joys of flying Jet Star!

We arrive at Denpasar airport go through customs and Lou gets taken into a little office becuase she has 3 bottles of wine instead of 2. We all wait, just a tad nervous and with fleeting thoughts of "you know who (Schapelle)". 200,000 rupiah later Lou emerges wine still in hand. We then get round the corner from customs to a row of about 30 money changers all calling out to us. Every window offers the same exchange rate so pick a window any window and come away with over 1 million rupiah which is only around $200 but we were still happy to millionaires in our own minds!

Out into the fresh air - only its not too fresh with smoking still allowed everywhere. The clouds have opened up and it is pouring, absolutely torrential. Karen W from Ayung Sari Indah (ASI I will use for short) spots us and eventually we traipse through ankle deep water to her partner and fellow host Wayan and climb into the car for our trip to ASI.

Holy moly this was the most intense 1+ hours in a vehicle any of us has experienced. They drive on the same side of the road as us - well they are supposed to but basically they drive wherever they like dodging bikes, dogs, people, signs, pilesof timber or rocks, you name it we swerved it. Lots of toot tooting on the horn. Eyes wide like scared rabbits in headlights is what we all looked like - this would have been a great you tube video! But guess what we made it totally unscathed and now with our jaws hanging open at the beautiful sight of ASI. Now midnight aussie time it was hard to fully appreciate our wonderful surroundings but that which we could see was lovely. We were led to our bungalows and although these bungalows would become really homely it was a little bit of a culture shock. Unable to really get settled it was time to go straight to bed. It was surprisingly cold and felt quite damp obviously due to the humidity during the day. I would liken the beds to futons a little higher, with mattresses quite hard it made for some funny bedtime joking. Outside bathrooms, so sitting on the toilet surrounded by jungle noises late at night can be a bit spooky first time around. Oh yeah and if someone looked over from the balcony they would see you - or you would see them first and yell out that you were on the toilet, well Amanda did a couple of times until we got into the habit of letting our roomies know we were "GOING TO THE TOILET". Have to say though by the end of the trip it all seemed quite normal. We did still have power and running water so it wasn't totally back to nature without any modern amenities.

So finally off to sleep and awaiting the days ahead.

I will be back with Day 1 soon - log back on it is worth the read I assure you

Friday, May 22, 2009

It's been a while!

I am back.
Things have been moving along nicely at body4u since the New Year New You challenge and we are currently into our next 8 week challenge in the club. With around 30 entrants it is shaping up (pardon the pun) to be an interesting few weeks ahead.
Next week I will be flying off to Bali with a great group of ladies to experience Sharing Bali. A wonderful retreat just outside Ubud up in the hills. Apart from an amazing time anticipated by all we will actually be doing a recce to see about offering our clients bootcamp retreats, incorporating exercise, healthy living and relaxation all in one - interested? well keep checking my blogs for more info.
Also happening at the moment is the training for our Kokoda challenge race which is taking place down the coast in the Hinterlands. It is a fund raising event and takes us on a 96km journey with only 39 hours to complete it. Myself and the rest of my trusty team, Darren, Richard and Brooke are hoping to do it in 20 hours or less. Fingers crossed.
A few hours run/walk tonight followed by about 6 hours in the hills on Sunday - very wet hills I imagine is all part of the fun in store for us.
Gotta go for now be back soon with news of our adventures - take care and remember to make someone smile> :-)

Sunday, March 29, 2009

I'd Like To Thank!

I would like to thank everyone involved in this New Year New You Challenge but some special thank yous for Darren for his never ending support and for making all of this possbile, my kids for being so patient and making do without me so often. Richard and Amanda for all the hard work and effort they have put in. All the rest of the body4u team for their encouragement and support of the challenge. A big thank you to the partners and families of those involved for countless weekends away from them.
A special thank you needs to go to 2 of our wonderful clients Brett and Alison King for sponsoring the Bridge Climb today, thank you so much.
Last but not least thank you to Greg and Annette for being great sports and for putting in the effort required to achieve their goals, I will certainly miss our weekend adventures and I wish you both all the best in your future goals for a healthy and long life - keep up the good work.
Cheers Ang.x

"And now the end is here..........."

The final week. 6 am at the gym running a few minutes late after printing off the details for the final adventure. Greg, Annette and Rich are waiting at the gym. Amanda pulls in and upstairs we go.
A couple of quick pickies and into the last training session. On the treadmills for a hill climb warm up and then into a boxing session. Both of them worked really hard and there wasn't much talk. Rich and myself with focus mitts up each end of the running track and jabs and uppercuts galore, throw in lots of burpees - Greg still needs a bit more practice on these heehee. Puffing panting, red faces and more sweat and it is finally over. Good work.
A quick change and we all load into Amandas car and stop to grab takeaway coffees for all and apple scrolls (just for the trainers of course). We start our drive heading towards the city and the destination is finally revealed "The Story Bridge Climb", I think Greg may be just a 'wittle bit scared of heights' even though he said he lied. Amanda is really nervous and her palms are sweating before we even start. The getting ready takes a while, breathalyzer test (we all passed phew) jump suits on (gorgeous), head sets, safety lanyards, sunnies and off we go.
Great views from the bridge, some interesting history and a few laughs watching the guys climbing and descending, photo ops at appropriate places. Couldn't say the climb itself is challenging, maybe if you are scared of heights! but the overall experience was great. Everyone enjoyed the day and then a yummy breakfast at Bulimba.
Back to the gym for weigh ins and we will all be meeting back at the gym later today for the final measurements and photos and a celebration drink - yep Foxy a drink an alcoholic drink woo hoo! Well done everyone and we will post the results later.
Cheers from Little Miss Scary.

Friday, March 27, 2009

How time flies!

Nearing the end - sad in a way I have enjoyed seeing the effort of all involved and also some great achievements from Greg and Annette. I am sure there are a few things they didn't think they would have done at the beginning of their journey - walk run to Manly for example, climbing Pollies hill (twice) and Sundays surprise (hey Greg was it heights you were scared of?) just asking would I do something like that?
The big thing will be to see if they can keep it up - I truly hope so. They have inspired many people and the enquiries for our next 8 week body4u challenge has been great already, so you two have shown quite a few people what is possible. Back again on Sunday.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

The last week!

Just wanted to thank everyone who has followed the blogs - body4u clients, friends and family (of our lucky two), trainers and non-clients too. I have had many people stop me to talk about the progress of Annette and Greg and I appreciate your positive comments and support.
I am looking forward to the last Sunday adventure and I am hoping it will be something different for A & G. (It will be for us trainers too!)
The results of their weigh ins and measurements will be posted as soon as we have them.
Stay tuned!
Little Miss Scary.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

A leisurely Sunday stroll

A shaky start with the roller door breaking at home, so a quick swap to Darrens car and off I go. "BEEP BEEP" goes my phone and a nice welcoming text from Greg - smart arse! "BEEP BEEP" gee he's quick with those texting fingers hopefully his legs will be just a quick heehee.
I arrive at body4u to find Annette, Greg and Amanda waiting for me.
Annette is still wondering where on earth we are going and soon realises its the hill over off Sleath Street, I know she has not wanted to miss out on this since we started the challenge! A couple of sprints up the hill and we continue on, finally revealing our destination of Manly. The joy on the faces of G and A was priceless. The smiles on mine and Amandas faces was just as good.
Into the sequence of BEEP on the watch and we walk for 2 minutes and BEEP BEEP and we run for 1 minute. Greg takes a little while to get the pace up during our little jogs (even though he reckons he was sprinting). We keep in touch with Annette and Amanda via phone and with a bit of diverting courses we meet up at Railway Parade, a quick hello then BEEP BEEP and we have to jog again. We're now a good couple of hours into our leisurely sunday stroll, Gregs calf is playing up a bit so a little stretch and a voltarin (I am such a thoughtful trainer) and we hardly miss a beat (or should I say BEEP) ha.
Greg must be getting a bit delirious because I get a BEEP BEEP on my mobile phone and Greg starts running, its ok mate its not the watch it's a message you can still walk, for another 30 seconds anyway.
Manly is in sight, suns getting a bit of bite to it and on we run. Finally we get to the park area, a toilet break is in order and I have a bit of a giggle as Greg has some trouble with a little wall we have to climb over, his legs are not co-operating! We keep going just a little bit more until I give him the ok to turn around and head back to meet the 2 A's on their way into Manly, some sideline cheering from Jeff, Bree and Georgia (Amandas hubbie, daughter and friend) and we finally meet the girls. Greg and Amanda decide to have a little race up the road - no competition there - and Annette and I finish it off. Annette is a bit emotional as she asks if I am really going to make them walk back to body4u. I wish I could have said yes but the look of desperation on poor exhausted Annettes face was too much. Relief washes over her as she realises its over. A quick photo and off to the coffee shop to eat and drink. Darren and the kids arrive to join us and between him and Jeff get us all back. Thanks guys! Thanks Amanda! Well done Annette and Greg!

Keep posted for the final weekend adventure next week, should be fun and a little bit different, a bit more mentally challenging possibly for a few people.

P.S. Ssshhh don't tell anyone it's just between you and me, but "oh my gosh the old Greggie boy looked by far the most shattered I have ever seen him!" Hope you have recovered mate and the legs, knees, calf etc are not too sore. Oh yeah and one more thing .............

Suck it up princess!!!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

HI HO YEP ITS THE HILL AGAIN !

Camelbacks on, walking sticks in hand and Rich and I are ready to get Greg and Annette up the hill faster than before with the added bonus of a longer walk this time. Don't you just love it?!
Ready, set, go! Stopwatch ticking and a 30 minute target for Greg (took 40 last time) I quietly thought he would make it in less but didn't say anything (I found out later Greg was thinking the same thing). Well mate first 5 minutes, heart rates spike pretty bloody quickly and I am thinking Greg is gonna try and break me - bring it on! Not much chatter from either of us. There's a nice little bit of flat stuff roughly half way up the climb and Greg is motivating himself by thinking at least there he can get his breath back he never said this out loud until we got there and I say "ok Greg time to jog" - PRICELESS!!!
Once again Greg goes for it and even keeps going up the start of the next rise until it just gets too tough and its back to walking. If I ever let Greg get in front for any reason he was gonna try and make it hard for me to get back in front - nice try mate, a bit of competition never hurt anyone and in this instance Greg makes it to the top in 27 minutes and 30 seconds - fantastic work Greg.
A quick breather on the favourite log and a few choice words to some fellow walkers and off we go again, at a more pleasurable pace. Across a little creek and at roughly 1 1/2 hours it's time to turn around and head back for brekkie and a well earned coffee. We catch up with Rich and Annette congratulations all round and down we go.
It was really great to see Greg and Annette giving encouragement to other walkers heading up, comments like "a long way to go yet", "it gets worse" etc etc. and some sucky ones "you're doing well", "good work" you know just the sort of stuff they get from their wonderful trainers all the time!
Thanks once again both of you for a top effort, thanks Foxy for your insight it was nice chatting with you and thank you Richard for your support. Oh and thanks for brekkie Greg.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

A day at the beach.......

That time of the week again, 7am we all meet and start walking up Masthead Drive. Annette has a sore throat and is not feeling the best and I wasn't too sure if Greg was too keen today either, ah well too bad!

We arrive at the Raby Bay beaches where Darren and Richard have been setting up our little obstacle course for the guys. It's a shame that the tide is in and we don't have a lot of beach space to spread out on, so its up in the sand and lots of dead vegetation, all adds to it I guess.

First part of the circuit is the filling of a wheelie bin (we were nice it was a small one) with sea water using 2 buckets we give them, oh no Gregs bucket is all smashed at the bottom so the water is going to pour out as he runs up the beach to the wheelie bin, how did that happen bloody crazy clarks heehee! Once filled to our specified height its over to a 4 meter plank with 2 ropes attached so G & A can drag it down the sand and back, then run along the beach over some obstacle ropes and down to 2 tractor tyres (in other words big mothers) flipping these over end to end, no rolling to the awaiting sand bags, fill sand bags to a specified level, which originally was half full but after a quick check were too heavy, so being nice again we allow some leeway, with their trusty bags off they go over and under the obstacle ropes, they would both make good marines, out of the ropes still with bags and down to the tug-o-war with Darren and Rich on the other end, when the boys are dragged over the mark (just a little bit of help from myself for our lucky winners) and finally a run back up the beach to the waiting tyres once again which need to be flipped back to their original start position and a run back to the start line. Phew I'm tired just typing this. Well done guys 12min 27sec. Sweating, wet and sandy a quick drink break and we start again this time they must beat the previous time. Not much banter going on today!

Great stuff 11min 38sec. Daz pipes up that they still looked like they were going a tad too easy Rich and I agree so now the challenge is to finish it under 10minutes or keep going until they do.

With some great team work and Greg offering some assistance to Annette - what a gentleman - they cross the line in 9min 51sec. Close but we stick to our word and call it a day.

A stroll back to body4u for a well earned coffee - no fat of course.

Weigh ins were terrific today Annette had an excellent loss of 2.2kg and Greg had a surprising 1.5kg he wasn't expecting.

With only 3 weeks remaining the guys are both still giving us their best efforts and commitment just as we asked and they deserve all the accolades that they are receiving - top stuff both of you THANK YOU!

Friday, March 6, 2009

What's in store for this weekend?

Greg and Annette, see you both at 7am on Sunday morning. Be prepared to wear togs under your gym gear (no we are not going swimming but you will get wet). Be prepared to get sandy (no we are not going sun bathing at the gold coast, but you will get sand in your hair and maybe even your bum crack!!!)
You will need to work as a team and help each other out. I will be bringing a bucket (expecially for you Greg - you know what I mean!) and a few other items of torture.
So fun, fun, fun is in store for all, especially for me, Darren, Richard and maybe a few of our other lovely trainers who may come for a lau.......oops I meant who have come to support you guys.
Bye bye for now and remember "winners are grinners"
Little Miss Scary

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Just a WALK in the park!

4 weeks down and time to step it up just a little bit. 6 am meet at the gym, camelbacks on and off we go. The guys thought I was going to head to Sleath St for some hill work (as if I would be so cruel) but no we head towards the point. Darrens watch is set on 1min and 3 min intervals so as the first beep sounds I break the news to them that we are jogging for a minute. Annette once again slays me with her look and says that running is not her thing (well sorry Annette but it is today :-).
We reach Santagiulina Way and a little pit stop to pop a couple of weight bags into Gregs backpack (sorry Foxy it was only 2.2kg not 7kg - maybe next time).
From here we continue our pattern of 1 min jog but the jog is now followed by the addition of 1min of selected exercises eg: lunges, squats, push ups, v-holds, hill runs etc etc. followed by 2 min walk and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat for 2 and a half hours, got pretty warm by the finish but once again both of our "lucky winners" battled on and showed their fine spirit and determination to make it back to the gym hot and sweaty.
I so enjoy those couple of hours of insults and look forward to each week to come. Gregs nice comments and sucking up paid off hey Greg no wonder Annette has told him to keep his mouth shut in future - I doubt it, he can't help himself so get ready for next week Nettie.
Darren helped out by completing the exercises too and as usual had his camera handy (some pictures have been posted on facebook - the link is at the bottom of body4u blog page). I'd watch out Daz we may have to get that camera surgically removed from a not too pleasant orifice if Annette gets hold of it and you at the same time!!
Weigh ins were conducted again this morning and both guys had another loss, just shy of a kilo for each of them so slowly but surely it continues.
I must sign off now to go and work out the next 4 weekend adventures to come - hahahahahahah.
LOL Little Miss Scary

Sunday, February 22, 2009

I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYCLE!!!

5am alarm wakes me up - shit I wish it was raining! Oh dear did I just think that, see trainers have bad thoughts too!
Anyway suck it up princess, out of bed and get into my biking gear which has not seen the light of day for quite some time.
Bikes in the back of the truck and off to the gym. Rich arrives just as we do looking like he needed to stay in bed too haha.
Annette and Greg arrive and after letting them in on the fact we are riding to Manly and back (Annette never stops killing me with her looks!) Greg mentions its been a couple of years since his bike has been allowed out too. This should be good.
Beautiful morning for a ride, couple of ups and downs and a cheery hello to Brett and Alison some fellow body4u members/friends as we pass them on Chelsea Rd heading into Lota, its definitely been a while for Greg he hasn't been on a lot of the new bike pathway, I am sure he will be looking forward to travelling this path lots more in the future - hey Greg :-)
We make it to Manly and Annette is stoked as she should be - top effort Net. A very very short stop (thanks for sharing your banana Rich) and we head back to Cleveland.
Daz meets us on the way back just in time to grab a few pictures of us climbing towards Wello Point, his timing is impeccable! Greg appreciates Daz's sense of humour, he always catches us looking our best - not!
We make it back - 3 hours of being on our bikes, numb bums, legs can feel it but that little bit fitter than when we left.
Weigh ins and another week of great results, Annette 5kg in 3 weeks and Greg 7kg, well done to you both and keep up the good work. Looking forward to next Sunday when another surprise training session awaits, oh the fun of it all - it is fun isn't it guys, come on admit it I know you love it (and sweet little me) really.
Cheers from Ang aka Little Miss Scary

Saturday, February 14, 2009

HI HO HI HO ITS UP THE HILL WE GO!

Rain what rain?!
Have to admit in the middle of last night as I awoke to the sound of what could have been a hurricane and rain smashing down I thought (even if only for a very little moment) am I asking too much of Greg and Annette to head down to Springbrook and climb a bloody long and steep hill. Well the moment past and the answer was a definite NO.
So 5am out of bed still fairly dark and pissing down with rain into our walking gear, first aid kit, backpacks and walking poles (thanks Suzanne and Richard)and Darren and I head off to meet the guys at the gym. Annette was already waiting in her car and Greg arrived shortly after, I must admit I was wondering if he was going to need a wake up call, but no there he was still eating a bowl of oats.
Weigh ins were a little more subdued this week with Greg pretty much the same keep watching there will be more and Annette losing 1.2kg great work. A little reminder that this challenge is not a weight loss challenge it is a lifestyle challenge and weight loss is one part of the whole process. The effort these guys have put in again is fantastic, Greg is feeling a bit tired and hungry at times so a bit of adjusting his food intake after looking at his diary and hopefully we should be able to overcome those problems. Annette is feeling strong and full of energy and so her plan stays as is.
A quick stop at Banjos for a coffee and apple scroll (for Daz and me that is - sorry guys) and off we go. As we drive down the coast the rain appears to be getting worse and a few jokes are made about just going for a nice drive - not!
We arrive at Pollys country kitchen a lovely little spot and don our gear and we're off.
Darren and Greg head up in front and Annette and I follow behind. With motivation, willpower and determination we arrive at the top. A quick photo and then the process starts again going down, using muscles differently and slipping and sliding, Greg and Darren out in front again, Annette decides to liven things up with a few tumbles, so with a little more mud over her than before we laugh our way down. 2 hours in total great work.
The guys didn't seem too keen on going up again - maybe next time what do you think guys.....guys.......guys hello!!!
A well earned coffee and muesli brekkie and its time to drive home.
I am not sure but I think a great time was had by all as well as doing something a little bit different.
Once again good work G & A and thanks to Darren for his support.
Oh and by the way Happy Valentines Day. :-)

Monday, February 9, 2009

First weekly weigh in!

Well done to both our guys. Annette lost 2.1kg and Greg lost 4.7kg. Top stuff and what a great start. The effort both these guys have put in this week has been tremendous and the results speak for themselves.
Sundays session had a few comments I am unable to print hurled in my general direction. The hillclimb on the treadmill was for starters with a nice rise to a 15% elevation and back down but never to below 2.5% and just as they thought they could relax up we went again, a few swear words from Annette with Greg saying he was thinking the exact same thing - well suck it up princesses because next week is going to be so much more challenging and of course naturally that means so much more fun! Off the treadmills and after looks that could kill some serious interval training on the rowers, followed by the bikes and finally the cross trainers. I am already getting Gregs number - start slow and build up slowly - not anymore Greggie boy. No, seriously they both worked really well and it can only get better. Once again congratulations and see you in the gym tomorrow.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

1 week down 7 to go!

The first weekend is upon us and what can I say apart from the fact that Greg and Annette have started off with such dedication and enthusiasm that I am looking forward to the results they will definitely achieve if they continue like this.
Well done to both of you.
Diary check tomorrow, weigh in and first weekend session with ME!!!!!
Hope the guys get some well needed rest they are going to need all their energy and determination tomorrow.
Bye for now hahahahaha from the Dragon Lady ;-)

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Great to see the blogs written by Annette and Greg. So much fun to come! My head is sooooo busy thinking of what adventures I have in store for these two. hahahahah!
I am using this time to support these guys and am staying off alcohol too for the 8 weeks, but bloody hell I never expected to be at the counter of my local coffee shop at Gordon Street looking at those beautiful chocolate brownies and the like and thinking should I or shouldn't I when these guys are trying so hard, bugger no chockie brownie for me ohh the sacrifice!!!!!!!!! All for the greater good.
If you are reading this blog get behing Greg and Annette and post some comments on their blogs to keep them going.
Cheers for now Ang

Saturday, January 31, 2009

New Year, New You - Initial Weigh In day!

Phew what a day!
After arriving at the gym, our lucky (well maybe not so lucky hee hee) winners of the body4u New Year New You promotion Greg (who was giving up his birthday)and Annette were suddenly thrown into life as super models. Cameras clicked, flashes flashed and smiles shone. With our 'before' photos completed it was into the consult room for weigh ins and measurements. A video diary interview with our lovely Bonnie Somers at her journalistic best and the morning activities were completed.
We all then met at the IGA in Cleveland where the grocery shopping fun was to begin. Trolleys at the ready and into the fruit and veggie area we ventured, nice and safe here with colours galore and no restrictions on what Greg and Annette could put into their trollies. Fresh lean meats next and then the tricky part as we venture deeper into the supermarket jungle. What nasty little surprises awaited - Oh no mint slice biscuits (better grab 3 packets they are on special!), "no Greg don't do it" his hand edges nearer but his will power kicks in and the danger passes. I force Annette to bring me the bag of chippies she would normally buy for herself (she didn't want to do it - good girl but she had to) and proceed to dissect the nutritional panel, (talk about make something that tastes so yummy sound really bad I am soooooo good at that) of course the bag went back onto its nesting place snuggly settled amongst all the other fat and salt disguised as sliced potatoes in tempting flavours. We examine nutrition panels, compare products and at the end of our adventure have the best looking trollies in the shop. Through the checkout where the IGA team looked after us and back out into the world again.
Training Plan, eating and exercise diaries in hand, healthy groceries in the boot and we are set to begin the 8 weeks ahead. Good luck guys and we will see you in the gym on Monday.