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