Hi to one and all, sorry about the delay in blogging but with all this new found energy I have been so busy I got side tracked.
Well what can I say Sunday was a great day but then again a little sad as well, its funny when something is finished and you look back and think if only I had done this, the outcome would have been a little better or if I had put in more effort I could have got there faster. If only I had another chance I could do better but now with what I have learned from this challenge I have the rest of my life to improve on my efforts so I have many people to thank for that. The new year new you challenge has hi lighted so many of my weaknesses and my strengths not only physically and I would have to say that it does make you realise how far you can push yourself when you are asked so politely to do so.
I am very happy with my results having lost 11.4kg in the eight weeks, but happier with my overall fitness levels. I can truthfully say that I never would have achieved this outcome on my own without body4u. It makes you realise that you are capable of so much and is certainly the catalyst to do more with my life.
But as I said before I have a lot of people to thank for the results that I have achieved firstly Natalie as she did put up with a lot of complaining to start with and supported me with my food and many other things along the way. Then there is Amanda who has been very good to me in a harsh sort of way but the hard work and extra time that she put in was very much appreciated. Darren and Richard for firstly a bit of male company and nothing like having a good photographer ever present. Now Angie "miss not so scary" who's twisted mind thought up all those challenges along the way, thank you for making it interesting and fun, I hope that you enjoyed the banter as much as I did and will miss our pleasant Sunday morning get together. To the rest of the team at body4u thanks for all the friendly and professional support through out the challenge. I would recommend this challenge to anyone who is looking to improve their overall health and lifestyle.

Friday night and just finished at the gym and yes read Angie's blog.
Well what can I say but I lied about the height thing sorry.
So in return and seeing its the last Sunday for the challenge, and how dedicated you are to your clients I am certain when I ring you at 5.30am next Sunday morning you will happily come out and play:-)
Now Bring it on.
Will have to write one more blog after Sunday.
C u then.

Thursday and feeling tired today must not have drunk enough water yesterday. My PT with Amanda this morning seemed rather hard but I recovered OK.
Tonight I have fit key and then on the home run to Sunday.
I am starting to think now as this challenge is coming to an end that the bigger challenge is to sustain what I have achieved if not improve on it.

Yahoo it's Wednesday and feeling great (except for my left calf and sore back) and full of energy. Yesterday I went for a one and a half hour walk in the morning and I feel heaps better after a massage last night.
This mornings boot camp was good a little different, which as they say variety is the spice of life.
Wearing my old jeans to work today so that means I have dropped two pant sizes plus they are not tight even better.
No touch football tonight so will try to do a run instead.
Enjoy the day.

Hey Tuesday already how time flies when your fit and feeling good.
Had my PT with Amanda last night and feeling alright but my legs were a little sore still and luckily Amanda did not pick on them to much after the session I stayed and done a few weights to help and make up for Saturday,
Then later that night I played touch, but by then my legs were starting to get sore again.
This morning I went for a 1 hr 30min walk and this helped stretch them out and feel quite good at the moment.
Looking forward to boot camp in the morning.

Ah Monday and how good is this week going to be (once my legs stop hurting) almost a little sad that it was not a longer challenge but so far I am happy with the results.
On the weekend I had some pressing social engagements that stunted my training capabilities a little, but to my surprise my trainers were there to support me, talk about going above the call of duty, it was also good to see that they too were doing some research into how different substances can alter your training results, well done to all that participated.
Due to the research that I had done on Friday night I decided to rest for the day as I knew that Sunday would be a big morning and I was not disappointed.
Yes a beautiful day three of us all at the gym waiting eagerly to begin but where was Angie? Me being the kind and motivating person I am, I send her a quick text to check and sure enough Angie is soon with us beaming with enthusiasm.
I must say the walk run to Manly was a good work out, though I would have liked to run up Sleath Street a couple of more times just to loosen up a little first but then again I did not want to make us any later than we already were as I was not certain of the time schedule.
It is amazing how many hills there are between Cleveland and Manly when you are not in a car I must admit all was going well until a cramp in my calf, but to Angie's credit she was prepared with a pain killer and off we go again. All in all a good outing, was a little tired from the heat and the huge head winds that we faced but apart from that finished very refreshed and enthusiastic awaiting a well deserved breakfast and coffee.
This morning at John's circuit class I definitely knew I had been on a run but as I said this is the last week and I am feeling good and hopefully train harder this week than any before and try to drop some more weight before the final weigh in. It is a good feeling to actually be in the physical condition to achieve this so all I can say is bring it on.

Hi, Thursday and starting to feel good again thanks to a massage I think, even though I am feeling tired during the day I have really noticed my fitness and energy levels increasing. Certain exercises that used to really hurt I am now thinking aren't that bad and my recovery time is getting quicker. Both boot camp yesterday and this morning at Amanda's PT even though it was hard I still felt pretty good soon after, so either I am getting fitter or....... no lets just leave it at that otherwise I will get myself in big trouble.
Glad to see I can be of benefit with your ab workout Angie, that's the type of giving person I am:-)
Looking forward to the weekend to see what fun activities we are doing only two to go now.
Off to fit key tonight and then the usual spin class in the morning, have a wedding tomorrow so that's another test in it's self, will not being going to the Friday night losers club so will have to do a back up session on either Saturday or Sunday to make up for it unless the Sunday morning workout is really tough, but I doubt that :-)
Enjoy the day.

Hi all sorry about the lack of posts lately got a little side tracked a bit like Angie on the weekend but ended up in the same place.
Well I suppose everybody has read the other blogs so you really need my version of Sunday mornings events. It all started out a beautiful day, lovely scenic drive down to that beautiful spot in the hinterland it brought back many fond memories. I now know that they want to do this hill climb in a specific time so off we start and Angie was lagging already so a quick hurry up from me and she was up to speed. Luckily Angie brought her heart rate monitor as her heart rate went straight up, it was about then I thought I had better not talk to her as not to break her concentration that's the sort of caring person I am, it had nothing to do with my inability to talk due to lack of oxygen. It was all going well until I heard this little voice say "OK lets jog now" so off we go picking up the pace until Angie said stop I wanted to keep going but then I thought of Angie and didn't want to push it to much. The highlight was when Angie stopped to make a marker on the track and I remembered Darren's words from the last hike "we don't stop they just have to catch up" and I thought well that's what she will have to do, it was so much fun at the time I felt like the devil made me do it :-)
But my moment of glory was over quickly and Angie was beside me again at least it was not far from the top and I must say I have never been so happy to see a log before. A quick break and a few more glamorous photos and we were off again down the hill over the creek and far away before it was time to turn around and head back for breakfast. All in all I was quite happy with my performance, its would have been better if I did not go out the night before, but there is always next time (apparently).
Now Monday morning and feeling a little stiff went to Johns circuit class, but as the day progressed and so did the pain in my butt, my muscles were really starting to tighten up. But at least I made it to my PT with Amanda, I then find out that Angie did not make it to the gym that afternoon. I am sorry Angie I did not mean to push you that hard :-) I made the mistake of telling Amanda about the pain in my butt as she then put me straight on the climber followed by lunges with weights, I thought just how wonderful is this, to myself of course.
Off for a massage today only one week left after this so looking forward to the end results.

Thursday and feeling pretty good, a nice hard session with Amanda this morning so that sort of makes up a little for my rest day and still have a fit key class tonight.
But that is not my main concern as have a bucks party on Friday night and there could be a small temptation to weaken a little.
The main focus for me is that I have now set a goal for myself, so in order to reach that I will definitely have to work harder and make certain sacrifices along the way, as it is the end result that is important.
Really looking forward to the weekend might even bring my camera this time so I can post some photos of my own, sort of a different perspective...... through the eyes of the student you might say.
Have a great day.

Hi, it's Wednesday today sorry but had a lay day yesterday that being a lay in and not get out of bed early day so did not exercise at all. It's the first day in five weeks I have not done some sort of exercise felt sort of strange almost felt guilty for not doing something.
But I did work extra hard this morning at boot camp this morning and will try to fit in a extra session some where before the weekend to make up for it.

Hi, Monday morning and haven't blogged since Thursday so will update you on the main highlights of the weekend. Friday morning and Richards spin class was as hard as usual and totally full even to the point where Richard had to give his bike up and just supervise.
That night off to the Friday night losers club at the gym to do a few weights and who do I meet there, Annette, good to see the commitment of so few (being us two) doing so much.
Saturday morning and still feeling sluggish from the day before, which is a bit different for me usually its the night before that gets me but not anymore :-)
Anyway a nice boot camp work out with Richard then off to move house and play with furniture for the rest of the day, which is probably not the most intelligent thing I have ever done considering I kept thinking of what was in store for tomorrow.
Sunday morning and the first thing I have to say is thanks to Darren and Richard for setting up the course and sourcing all the gear, big mother tyres etc. you shouldn't have gone to so much trouble and I really wished you hadn't gone to all that trouble afterwards.
I think we have Angie a little worried now as she brought her bodyguards (her children)with her to keep the language down and also protect her from accidental slip ups from the water carriers.
The weigh in after was very surprising as I lost another 1.5kg, so all these fun activities must be doing something and I must admit my jeans are starting to get looser.
Well its only three weeks left now and its time to put in a big effort to the finish, so you may have to bring that bucket with you next weekend if you want to keep up Angie as no hubby to support you this time, so it should be an interesting time:-)
Was late to John's circuit class this morning so not off to a good start to the week so there is heaps of room for improvement yet.
Enjoy the day.

Mm mm Thursday afternoon looking forward to going to fit key tonight nearly as much as spending time with Angie on the weekend after reading her comment.
I had a solid work out this morning with Amanda (I can see you smiling now) and my arms are still feeling it so I suppose that's good.
I am not weighing myself during the week anymore as I need something to look forward to on the weekends apart from the obvious self inflicting exercise.
Anyway must go.

Wednesday, hump day as we say, that being the middle of the week and its all downhill from here. (I hope)
I only did a one and a half hour walk yesterday morning as I treat Tuesday as a bit of a rest day which I think I still need after the weekend and was still a little tired this morning.
Not that you would have noticed with my fine effort (in my mind)at boot camp this morning even though I did find it a little tougher than normal, I put that down to the humid temperature.
Getting into a routine with my food now and finding its not such a big deal to eat at the right times and to prepare something healthy with low fat.(would still like a drink though)
I am finding that I am slowly eating more, that is I will have a carrot with a protein shake in the afternoon instead of just a protein shake also a lot more salad with dinner, but at least its all healthy foods.
Enjoy the day.

Monday morning:
Lucky Winner is not how I would describe myself at the moment how about sore unfortunate winner, all I can say is my shoulders hurt, no its worst than that they are still burning and my legs hurt and I feel stuffed.
This is all from the result of going for a walk in the park????
If you do not know what I am talking about have a read of Angie's blog then you will know what I am complaining about, but I did think it could have been a lot worst and neither of us have vomited yet and considering I have a week to recover before the next one I can only say..... Bring it on!!!!
Hey, at least I am a little lighter now, and who knows by the end of this competition Angie may have to increase her training a little to keep up :-)
I must admit though doing John's circuit class this morning was difficult I think I was just going through the motions as most of my body still had no feeling.
Still have PT session to get through this afternoon so that will be interesting.
Another weekend down and still alcohol free, I am sure this is a good thing.

Friday morning and still going well nearly halfway and I must admit I could not have gotten this far with out the support of my trainers they have been so helpfull and have really put in as much effort as I have.
The thing that stands out the most is their kind and forgiving nature that makes them the compassionate people that others look up to for direction:-)
Training is still tough with Richard's spin class this morning and then a weight session tonight, bootcamp tomorrow and then a suprise class on Sunday with Angie who I must say did look very bright and refreshed this morning :-)
Must go enjoy the day.

Hey Thursday morning feeling fine and looking good (through these eyes anyway) finished my morning PT with Amanda, I think you should have given me heavier weights as I can still move my arms a little.
Looking forward to fit key tonight plus what the weekend has in store for us as this will mark the half way point of whatever you call this challenge, competition, macabre contest, I have other words but I don't think they would be appropriate to put in print.
Have put a little weight on since the weekend so hopefully will loose that by the time of the weigh in.
Not as hungry anymore so maybe my stomach has started to accept that's all its getting, the main thing at the moment though is that I still have some energy left and not feeling as tired.
Enjoy the day.

Well Wednesday morning and feeling great, compared to last week were it was all to hard at this point in time its all to easy, sorry Logan you better start lifting your game with boot camp.
I can say that because the pain in my arms hasn't really set in yet and I can still raise them to type, at the moment.
I also hope Angie has a cup of HTFU (but not to much) by the weekend and thinks up good challenge for us on Sunday as I know Annette will be up for it again, if I cant be cheeky now when I am feeling good I will have no hope later on.
Looking forward to Amanda's PT tomorrow as well. Bring it on!
It feels really good to be this pumped (would still like a drink tho)

Tuesday morning and I notice that the days are getting shorter already, you start to notice things like this when you get up at ridiculously early hours to train, pretty soon I will need a torch, this morning was a 1.5 hour walk and that's it for me today this is like a rest day.
Well had a nice session with Amanda, a few bike sprints just to get me over the weekends events I am sure that was the reason. All in all a pretty good session now that I am starting to increase my fitness levels.
After gym a quick protein shake which you actually start to enjoy the taste of after a while, then I went and paddled a canoe for about an hour.
Back home for a shower then off to touch football, this is where I can really notice the change in my fitness levels, I keep remembering the first game of the season where I thought I was going to have a heart attack now I can last a good two minutes.
Enjoy the day.

Hi all, it is Monday and I am in trouble again no not for over eating, no definitely not for over training not even for complaining, it is alas for not writing enough in this blog so they say, but I am certain its some sort of exercise to help you loose weight in your fingers.
After my last posting on Tuesday when I was feeling great it all started to go downhill and get too hard very similar to how Annette was feeling and as the week progressed my energy levels dropped. I found Wednesday morning boot camp hard and followed by Amanda's workout and fit key on Thursday it really took its toll. By Friday night I was really tired, mind you where was I?????? Not out kicking back having a few drinks with the boys chatting about the past weeks events, no I was at the gym doing my bit for the cause, which at the time was a little blurred and can I tell you there are not a lot of people at the gym on a Friday night which does make you question yourself as to what are you actually doing there as well.
Come Saturday morning and after a good nights sleep (which I was told was not enough) I was feeling a lot better went to boot camp and survived that which is always a good thing.
Then we get to Sunday morning a quick check of the diaries, then another weigh in where I was pleased with the outcome, as I have not been below 98kg for about two years now, so something must be working.
Off we go on our little bike ride to Manly, thank goodness its mostly flat and good quality bitumen and concrete paths as when you have not been on a bike for a while you start to remember how uncomfortable a bike seat can be, not to mention trying to walk afterwards especially after three hours.
I have to say how impressed I have been at Annette's can do attitude, she is truly a remarkable woman, like all of us we bitch about the challenges in front of us but Annette has met them head on and it is quite inspirational.
I have to go now or I will be late for my PT, then I will be in trouble again at least it is the start of week four and I am still feeling good and still alcohol free.(sad I know)

Tuesday morning and feeling great, Had a big day yesterday Starting with John's circuit class followed by Amanda's PT in the afternoon then a 1.5 hour walk and finished off with a game of touch. So that was roughly three hours of exercise, woke up this morning feeling a little stiff but after another 1.5 hour walk and a shower I feel fantastic.
Can't believe the change in my energy levels to date.

Hi, Monday morning and still on track with the food so doing quite well in that department even though at the weigh in on Saturday I had put on .1kg, but in my defence I had just finished a bowl of oats for breakfast so plenty of room for improvement next week.
Then after the weigh in it was, Hi ho hi ho up the bloody hill we went alright, I have found out some people have a very distorted view of humour.
Actually it went alright, I was with Darren giving him some moral support till I found my breathing was more imperative to my well being than trying to talk.
Once up on top it was all worthwhile the view was almost forgettable due to the rain and the feeling of accomplishment was soon dampened as well, with the thought of going back down which was nearly as bad as going up, but we have survived to tell the tale of an alternative idea of how to spend time with a loved one on a romantic rainy valentines day morning in lieu of the obvious laying in bed idea, some how I don't think it will catch on.
It was a great sense of achievement once it was completed and did give you the feeling of lets do it again, it was a good measure to see how our overall fitness has improved.
The only scary thing is what will we be doing in two weeks time.....Angie???????
Went for a 1.5 hour walk on Sunday, was a little stiff after but a good nights sleep and ready for the third week, so bring it on.

I woke up this morning to sound of rain on the roof so cosy in bed but out I jump and off to the gym full of life and energy. That was till I got to the stairs at the gym then I realised how tired my legs were, Richards spin class was again a killer, it felt like I had a brick tied to each foot.
Amanda's fit key class last night and her PT session in the morning where she concentrated on legs was definitely starting to take its toll. Makes me think how much fun tomorrow is going to be with Angie, I cant wait.
Well went out after the gym last night and still alcohol free quite a good effort on my part and the support of my friends (I think).
I know I have not lost much weight this week as I said previously, but I have noticed that my energy levels have increased a little so that's a positive.

Its Thursday morning already where does the week go, nearly two weeks down and feeling pretty good apart from the sore and aching muscles and empty feeling in my stomach, yep feeling good with myself. Weighed myself this morning and have only lost .2kg so far this week so that was a little disappointing but it really means I have to work a little harder.
Great photo in the news letter, how flattering, thanks for that Angie a very motivating force.
I trained with Amanda this morning, was a interesting when she handed me some dumbbells and said this is the amount of weight I should loose over the coming weeks. To comprehend how much extra weight you actually carry around in fat.
Going out tonight to catch up with some friends (after gym of course) so this could be a difficult time as my diet consists of no alcohol, but I am certain (at this stage) I will be strong.
Looking forward to the weekend and to find out what Angie has planned for Saturdays workout.

Hi all, Monday afternoon and weekend seems like a blurr already, I have a admit waking up on Sunday morning and the thought of going to the gym nearly made me jump back into bed. But being the motivated and determined sort of person that I am, I simply shrugged those feelings aside and embraced the thought of spending time sweating, straining and at times talking dirty with my trainer. In a professional sort of way that is....... and I was not disappointed what a memorable morning it was, filled full of jolly moments.
The weigh in went well I lost a few kilos so that was really positive and will keep me motivated for the following week.
I celebrated when I got home by having 4 hard boiled egg whites, Oates with some protein powder and a skinny cappuccino, well I know what your all thinking, talk about going overboard but some times you just have to let your hair down and celebrate these moments. By these moments I mean just eating in general as I was severely hungry.

Well Friday afternoon has been a busy morning and missed my morning protein bar so very hungry and looking forward to lunch, bring on the salad.
Caught up with Annette last night, at the gym of course, it was good to hear how she was handling every thing so far. I found it good to compare notes and it helps motivate you to do more in yourself as you can draw on their determiation as well as your own.
Now this morning I have to say I found Richards spin class quite difficult maybe because of the fit key class last night, but was extremly hungry when I got home as well.
Jumped on the scales this morning and was a bit suprised, anyway will have till wait until sunday for the official weigh in.
What a thought Sunday morning 7 oclock at the gym!!!
How much more motivated can you get????

Well Wednesday morning two days down, sitting here celebrating with my cup of coffee with no fat milk I am allowed one a day so this is a treat. Not that I am complaining (otherwise Angie will think up some new exercise task) as I said earlier the food is pretty good so far. I am quite surprised and pleased at how supported people have been to date when I tell them about my task at hand that has been very encouraging.
I was booked in for a massage last night but sadly that was cancelled so still putting up with very sore muscles.
During boot camp this morning I thought I hope this gets easier by the end of eight weeks as certainly isn't at the moment.
Anyway nearly time for a protein bar must go.

Well one day down 55 to go, no worries so far except my pants are still tight I thought there may have been some miraculous changes over night but alas it was not to be.
I would have to say the worst experience so far is having about 500 photos taken of your fat stomach.
The food is good in quantity but a little bland I will have to work out how to spice it up that is of course with no added calories.
My day started with a circuit class with John in the morning followed by a delightful session with Amanda in the afternoon. At this point in time I did not know you could have so many muscles ache at the same time.

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