Imagine turning up to a weight loss retreat at 114kg, approx 172cm tall, and smoking 1 pack of cigarettes a day. Well thats what one of our recent 'graduates' did, she gave up the smokes and committed to imrpoving her health. It was tough at the beginning but she had a 'can do' attitude and just persevered. That's not to say I didn't get my fair share of death-stares along the way but she was strong, and kept moving forward.
When she first arrived, probably her first week, I took the group for a walk/run in the rain. She only had to run in 10m lots but she struggled greatly with that. As each new fortnight arrived her only wish was that someone with less fitness than her would arrive, so she wasn't always last.
Well 12 weeks later and she too reached her goal of being able to run for 10km. Not only that but she could run 2-3 times per day, averaging approximately 6-8km per session.
It's people like this that really make my work worthwhile. She was very unfit, and although it hurt a great deal she worked hard and stayed committed. For that she has my respect!
Continue Reading October 16th, 2008
Just thought I'd take the opportunity to reflect on a great experience I've had since coming to The New Me. This week is another Intake Week, but it's not like the others. We have 2 girls leaving after being here 12 weeks, and 1 leaving after 8 weeks. These guys have been truly inspirational and just wanted to make mention about 1, but will discuss the other 2 in a few days.
This 'overy-pink-wearing 8-weeker' came to us at 96.5kg, and gave up smoking on the day she arrived. She was bubblt right from the start and blew many people away with her positive attitude. She definitely brought a much needed positive boost to the place at a time when it was needed. Even when her muscles ached she was still happy. She pushed herself hard, and smiled all the way.
But it wasn't all easy going. After 4 weeks, and some great results, she had a few hurdles and this really showed in her attitude. She was still happy, and still worked hard, but it seemed she had to really work at being positive rather than the easy way it just flowed at the start.
Well the end of 8 weeks is 2 days away and she is looking awesome. This unfit, obese, smoker, has left has left as a slimmer, fitter young lady who can now run 10km!
She can RUN 10km!!!!!!
I am very proud, and this girl epitomises what a trainer needs in a client: Turn up, listen, learn, implement. She really is a credit to herself and whilst we provided the atmosphere and tools, she can take credit for all the great results because it was her putting in each day.
Well Done!
Ps. HTFU? …… Well this is how this girl motivated herself. When she knew she needed to lift for a session she would wear the cap she brought for times like that. It just had HTFU across it (Harden The F*** Up) 
Continue Reading October 9th, 2008
Well lately I could start a post like this at the end of each week! We had 3 girls leave, and 3 come in. As always the new people come in quite guarded, and try to protect themselves by giving us loads of excuses as to why they can't do this, or can't do that. We listen, but we continue as we normally would and they always come out at the end of the program blown away at what they actually can do.
This week was no different and 2 ladies in particular have made a stunning (psychological) transformation over the course of the week. One in particular running our 5km Mordi Beach run, which includes many stairs and ramps. This was the first time she had run in many years.
It takes a lot of courage to turn up here and face your demons. I have nothing but respect for those that do!
Well, back to work!
Continue Reading October 3rd, 2008
Yesterday was an amazing day which saw us say goodbye to 3 inspiring individuals, once again with their own story. One, halfway through her journey but still with a great (self-belief) hurdle to overcome, came through the 2 weeks with a re-newed belief in herself and walked out of the house 6.3kg lighter. Another lady came with a history of muscular injuries, and once again a lack of self belief, but walked out of the house just over 10kg lighter. This was the greatest amount a female had lost at The New Me……until the final lady weighed in. Our current record holder, who left the house just over 11kg lighter, is just at the start of her journey. Lacking fitness and mobility and having a history of serious illness, she pushed herself in the sessions and so deserved the result she got.
I know I keep mentioning the transformations, but it is hard not to be blown away by the change in people. I'm not just talking about the physical change, it's the psychological change that is most impressive. These 3 ladies were different people when they left. This is not always a comfortable place to be. You are constantly taken out of your comfort zone, but these 3 (like many others) perservered.
For that that have my respect!
Continue Reading September 29th, 2008
One thing that never changes at The New Me is that new people coming in have very little confidence in their own ability to complete any set task that can be categorised as 'Exercise'. As they complete each day (and achieve little goals along the way) you see the changes in them. It's great when you're running along and they're telling you how they just can't do it, then they realise: They Are!!!
It really is amazing what we can do when we set our mind to it. The human body is a very resilient piece of work and quite often it's the brain that is the weakest link. If we needed to we could walk for weeks on end, if our life depended on it, and we'd do it without a complaint. But give us a choice and all of a sudden it gets too much.
Helping people get through this mind block is the trainer's greatest challenge. Once this is achieved it's pretty much smooth sailing. But you have to want it, and until you do there's nothing anyone can say or do to help.
One guest commented today that one thing The New Me program shows is that when planned properly, obese people can perform what they would usually consider high levels of exercise.
So now it all comes down to: what is your excuse?
Is it time? What is really more important than your health?
Is it money? It doesn't cost anything to exercise!
Or is it your mind?
Continue Reading September 22nd, 2008
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