21 August – Gala Dinner and Prize giving

What an exciting day, the Gala dinner and prize giving had eventually arrived. Theo and I arrived at the Salute Restaurant in Westville excited to find out who the winners were for the second Get Fit Challenge for 2010. We had some surprising results as winners. It was good to know some of the people that I had trained with. Everybody did exceptionally well and the judging was difficult. I was very pleased to hear Steve’s name called out for the 2nd place in the mens category. He originally set out to win the competition and grabbed second place which in my opinion was fantastic, he did exceptionally well. We had three winners at our table this evening, 3rd place in the mens category, 1st place in the ladies catogory (I remember when I first met her at the orientation, she was so inspired by my story as being the “Biggest Loser” winner of the previous challenge that she actually went on to win this challenge, she did herself proud and it was her birthday today) and right next to me the “Biggest Loser” in this challenge. She looked absolutely stunning and a very well deserved win. A fabulous dinner was served, the food was exceptional. We watched the slide show on the computer in absolute awe at the changes our bodies had taken over the past 12 weeks. This challenge has been really an experience for me and I worked very hard to achieve the results I wanted. I have lost a total of 29.5 kgs since I started in January and have learned how to actually be successful in losing weight and getting your body back into shape. It has been hard work but so very worth it! I would like to thank Denver and Neil for the opportunity to participate in this second challenge and the support I received from Leroy as well. Well done guys, you’re the best!!!

12 Weeks – Final Measurements and Weigh-in

Swung past to the Get Fit Challenge venue for final measurements and weigh-in at Gillets. I wore the same outfit that I wore for the before photos to see the exact difference, so put shyness aside once again and had the after photo taken, this time there was much less of me again. Whoopee, lost a total of 14.3 kgs, 63 cms and 10% body fat. Am thrilled to bits, 5.7 kgs short of my goal that I had set for myself for this challenge but nonetheless very pleased with the results. I have worked hard during this challenge and included spinning to my cardio routine 5 days a week. I feel that if there is a will there is a way and you can achieve your goals. There is no excuse that you cannot lose weight, I have proved it through this Exercise Diary, weight loss goes hand in hand with eating healthily and plenty of exercise, maybe not to the extreme that I have gone but anybody can do it if they tried. Looking forward to seeing the before and after photos of the other competitors at the prize giving. Next time put a smile on your dial, Liz, when you take photos of yourself!!

Weight 90.1 kgs before 75.8 after 12 weeks

7 August – Last workout session at 8 am in Westville

Well the day has eventually arrived for our last workout with the Get Fit Challenge. Attended the KZN League meeting with the Masters Athletic Association for 5 kms race walk at 6.30 this morning. My knee was niggleling a little but managed to complete the 5 kms with no problems. I knocked 20 secs off my prevous time, which is a good whack for my second league attempt and also not doing much race walking training because of my knee injury. Then rushed through to Westville to attend the very last workout for this Challenge getting there with plenty of time to spare. We had a kick boxing exercise routine like what we had on Tuesday. By far, this exercise session was one of the most strenuous, probably because of the 5 kms race walk earlier but was pleasantly surprised to see that I coped well and kept up with everybody except for the last set of push-ups. Did not even attempt to try and do the last set. Enough is enough!

































Woopee, rest at last, sleep-in on Sunday morning and a much earned rest for the rest of the day!

3 August – Week 12 – Something different

Sneeked in an extra challenge session this morning at 5 am. Today we did something completely different. Kick boxing, abs and skipping. It was kind of different for a change. Come to think of it, this challenge has been thoroughly enjoyable, far less boring than just going to gym and working out on your own, you are part of a team which makes it more fun. I’m feeling a little sad that it has come to an end already, but am definitely looking forward to the next challenge. I would love to see what I look like at normal weight. It has been so long ago that I have forgotten what it felt like to be slim. Even now, I haven’t gotten used to having lost 34kgs yet. I still pause when I look in the mirror and cannot believe that image reflecting back at me is really me. On Friday and Saturday it is the final weigh-in and measurements to tie up this challenge, it will be interesting to see what results have been achieved this time. Unfortunately I’ll have to miss the final exercise session on Saturday morning due to the Masters Athletic League, definitely cannot miss that. My fitness levels should be better since the last league, so it will be interesting to see what my 5 km times is going to be this time. Just hope my left knee holds out, I really battled this morning and was hobbling a little, quite uncomfortable.

31 July – Week 11 – One more week to go

Yoohoo, won 2nd place with the Herbalife challenge, way to go Liz. One more Get Fit Session to go. Pity the weight stayed the same this week, but I’m sure it was water loss last week and this week the weight steadied to remain the same, the Get Fit T-shirt felt a little looser today anyway, so I'm not faized. Looks as though all the sweat and burn is paying off. Am spinning every day and have managed to stay on the extreme eating plan for 5 days. It seems as though everybody at session this morning ran out of steam. We were all panting and drinking a lot of water and needed longer rests. We did a lot of bench press exercises which were rather taxing and we had to move, move, move all the time keeping our heart rate up moving onto the next station. Unfortunately I still have a slight problem with my left knee and was limping a little even with pain killers. But yay, almost done, am looking forward to a week off to rest a little and just chill. Only have to push myself for one more week and getting up at 4 am in the morning to workout before going to the office.

23 July – Week 10 – Getting there

Had a fantastic weight loss this week. Challenge session was good, worked extremely hard and really built up a sweat today. Injured knee seems to be coping fine at the moment. So lets continue and DO THIS! Good news! during the previous challenge at 10 weeks I managed to step up on the stage for the first and now I can touch my toes and do the quad stetch holding my foot with my knee bent, haven’t been able to do that for years, have always done the alternative quad stretch, standing with feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly bend and hold for 40 seconds and then respeat. Yesterday morning I sneaked in an extra challenge session and then hit the sauna. Final weigh-in and measurements for the Weightloss Challenge yesterday. So another challenge bites the dust!

16 July – Week 9 – Bummer, had a nasty fall

Well, I’ve been on holiday for a week now hoping to lose a couple of extra kilos. It’s been a tough week and have felt more tired than usual. The race walking training has been taxing and also completed a PB for 10 kms on Sunday at the same time practicing my new breathing technique. Sneaked in an extra Challenge session on Tuesday did spinning every day and changed my training to the Power plate classes. Went for my usual run on the beachfront on Friday afternoon, unfortunately I had a fall at about 3 kms into my run. Managed to carry on running but felt a niggling in my left knee at 4 kms. Race walked back but my knee was hurting. Tried running, race walking and then walking, eventually limped back to my car. Had a bad night because of my knee and had already taken 6 anti-flammatories since last night. Attended usual 8 am challenge session but found half way through my knee was hurting badly and was limping most of the session. I hope I haven’t done too damage to affect my training for the coming week. Rested the entire day on Sunday and kept off my feet with my leg up. Swelling had come down a little by the evening but there is still a lot of discomfort. Will have to make a trek to the doctor tomorrow for an assessment.

Look at me now one year later!

This picture was taken in July
last year. I have lost 30 kgs.

This week, see the difference

9 July – Week 8 – Swopped for Friday session

Friday morning 5 am Westville. Because of my race walking coaching with Ollie Mundell tomorrow morning and not sure what time I’ll be done, I decided to do session this morning so that I am not pressed for time like last week. Arm muscles feeling a little stiff from Tuesdays workout still but survived. According to the scale I have had a gain of 2.3 kilograms. This I do not believe, impossible but according to the others their weights were fine and on track. So my strategy today was just to have my shakes, thermogetics tea and go for my normal 10 km run and then hit the sauna for 20 minutes. This afternoon on the promenade I racewalked the 4 kms to Ushaka in 29 min 42 secs and ran back in 28 min 46 secs. PB both ways. Weighed myself at the gym and lost my 2.3 kgs. Looking forward to coaching with Ollie tomorrow morning. Yippiee!

6 July – Week 8 – Sneaking extra session in

Had a very early start to the day arriving at the Gilletts Get Fit Studio at 5 am. Only two Get Fitters joined in, worked hard and really worked up a good sweat. Later when I was at work it didn’t even feel as though I had a heavy workout earlier on. Then received some good news. My times were e-mailed to me for the league session I had with the race walkers with the KZN Masters Association. I did 5 kms in 37.59 mins which was 16 secs within the qualifying time for the 55 to 60 age group for KZN Colours. In January I’ll be 55. I need to shave off 2.06 mins for the age category I’m currently in now. Shouldn’t be a problem with the correct training. I have been invited to attend a coaching session with Ollie Mundell in Winston Park on Saturday morning at 6 am. So I’ll be changing my Get Fit session to Friday this week.

3 July – Week 7

Had a early start to the day. Meet Sharon and Jeanine at 5.30 am and went for track training at Chatsworth Athletics stadium with the KZN Masters Athletic Association. Received lots of compliments about my style and technique. I have really impressed Ollie and he gave me quite a few tips on weight loss and training, he even half walked me back to my car. Looks as though he was really blown away with my performance. This was my first time training on a track. I like.....!

Arrived in Westville in the nick of time just as the challenge session was starting, thank goodness for a Garmin, I would never have found my way back to Westville without it. The session proved a little difficult this morning probably because I hadn’t recovered properly from my 5 km race walk earlier on, but managed to keep up most of the time. So on Tuesday it is doubling up on training. I’ll be starting the 5 am class. I am getting there. I can do this....!

2 July – Week 6 – Measurements

Long awaited measurement day has arrived. Was very keen to find out how many centimetres I have lost to date. Hoping to have lost at least 20 cms. My total centermetre loss was 44.5cms. Wow! Total weightloss 8.4 kg in 6 weeks. An improvement from the previous challenge, a little disappoint with my body fat percentage lost but I am happy with the weight loss so far because my skin is starting to wrinkle a lot now so am not keen to loose too much too quickly anymore. I think I am still on track. Have been invited by Leroy to train an extra session per week with the Get Fit class.
So how has the challenge changed my life so far? I managed to touch my toes yesterday during the stretches at the end of the spinning class. Haven’t been able to do that in years. If I drop something on the floor I can bend down and pick it up with ease now. Not only does my bath towel wrap around me comfortably, there is plenty of room to spare. I had my first bath in years and did not get stuck, there is at least 10 centimetres space. I have improved racewalking speed and have been invited to train with the KwaZulu-Natal Athletic club on Saturday morning.

26 June 2010 – Week 6 – Boot Camp

Today we had the Challenge session on the beach at Ushaka. Weather was fantastic and enjoyed the beautiful sunrise this morning. Nice crowd turned up. Found it easier to run on the beach sand this time, must be because I am much fitter and my legs have been strengthened with spinning and running, but I still worked up a good sweat. We had a bit of a challenge or competition so to speak, almost like musical chairs but instead of sitting down you had to get up from a lying down position and run to grab a pointer. Good action! After session I went for a race walk along the prominade. Well with exercise done for the day I am looking forward to just chilling and relaxing and resting until Monday.

19 June – Week 5

Was up bright and early this morning, was cooking up a storm in the kitchen from 5 am for my dinner party this evening. Only 4 challengers at the Get Fit session this morning. When there are so few people the pressure is on to work harder because the trainers have more time to provide individual attention. Yay, had a decent weight loss this week. Down another 2.1 kgs. Total loss 6.8 kgs. The extra mileage has worked. I need to concentrate on how to get off the floor quicker and easier. Felt like an old granny trying to get off the floor. I am fit but still fat. I am receiving so many compliments, I feel like a million dollars and when I look down at my tummy, arms and legs I feel so thin but when I look in the mirror it tells me whole new story. Need to shed at least another 20 to 25 kgs before I will appear normal weight to people.

11 June – Week 4

Was up bright at early this morning at 4 am. Yay, the new GetFit T-shirt fits nicely, was able to wear it today. Arrived for the Get Fit session on Friday morning instead of Saturday. Oh bummer, gained half a kilo this week. My spirits were lifted a little by the compliment I received from Neil that it looks as though I am almost half the size now compared to when I first started the challenge at the beginning of the year. The exercise session was tough but managed okay. Did battle stepping up onto the bench, just by looking at it I felt that it was a little high for me, tried to step up but didn’t manage. So my new goal I have set for myself is that by the end of challenge I’ll be able to step up easily.

5 June – Week 3

Hey the T-shirt fits, just another kilo or two and it will be nice loose on me. Gosh, but these guys make you work hard, no rest for the wicked. From one set to the next, move, move, move all the time. But you know what, I’m loving it. Last week it took 3 days for the stiffness to disappear because of the lunges, this week this morning one day after the Get Fit challenge session I was really feeling the after results of the push-ups. Ouch, eina, sore.....

Ran the Virgin Active 5 km Fun Run in 27 minutes today. Weight loss a little disappointing this week so I am going to go on the Get Fit extreme diet for a week.

This little girl with the dark hair ran faster than me and was 3 rd lady home. The blond little number was the youngest participant in the fun run, 4 years old. She gave me a good run for my money.

28 May – Week 2

Arrived at St Elizabeth Church for the 2nd session of "The Original" Get Fit Challenge session a little early, so did a short run as a warm up before weigh-in. Good results again this week. Lost 5 kgs in 2 weeks. Good going Liz! The routines were fast and furious this week. I was huffing and puffing most of the time, but managed to get through it. Received our T-shirts today, very very nice but slightly small for me, another item I can slim into. By the time this challenge is over it should fit me a dress. I can do this! Yeah!

22 May – Week 1

First Get Fit session at St Elizabeth Church in Westville. Arrived bright and early, nobody had arrived yet. Thought maybe I had the times wrong, but then somebody eventually arrived. Was pleased to see that I knew somebody. Leneille from Run Walk for Life. Feels a little strange not doing the Get Fit Challenge in a gym environment, but I’m sure we’ll get used to it pretty quickly. A small group attended this morning and I found the session pretty easy to do. I need to concentrate on push-ups and bench-presses a little more, so that will be my homework for this week, to strengthen my weak areas and of course abs, abs abs. Pleased with my weight loss this week, must be the run I had last night. Running seems to help a lot with trying to lose weight.

15 May – Assessment and photos

Oops! Have gained a little weight since the last challenge, but what the hell, I took a little break. But now its back to business. Once again I dared to bear all again wearing my grey crop top and baggie shorts this time round. Still not feeling shy at all, well, maybe just a little. I'm in a competition and the rewards are great! I did not seem to mind who was in the room at the time the photos were taken. Shows you how much confidence I have gained since the start of the first challenge. I was surprised to see that my before and after photos of the previous challenge were displayed on the wall with the other top 5% competitors. The difference between the before and afters are amazing, just wait until you see my after photo in December, hopefully by then I'll be my ideal weight. In this second round of the challenge I am hoping to come out of it much less of me again. I did it before and can do it again! So wish me luck!!

10 May – Orientation

Felt a little excited today. Attended the orientation for the 2nd Get Fit Challenge 2010. Missed the orientation the last time but learned a little more about the background of the challenge, the personal trainers and what was going to take place during the weeks ahead. Felt a little chuffed when Denver mentioned my name and pointed me out as the winner of the Biggest Loser category in the previous challenge. It's amazing when people chat to you, they become even more motivated and realise that to change your body image is possible. Felt a little relieved that my before photos were not displayed on the TV screen. Here's to the next 12 weeks! Cheers!! Wish me luck!!