Archive for March, 2010

Cambridge GM’s Epic Weight Loss Journey – 13 kg in 5 weeks and counting

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Meet Steven Gargano – General Manager Cambridge Hotel, overseeing 70 odd staff. It’s a high pressure job to keep a four star hotel running smoothly with plenty of demands on his time from all areas. Steven has done a remarkable job taking care of his staff – but historically, he hasn’t done as well when it comes to taking care of his own health.

But all this is about to change – he’s embarked on a life changing journey to get healthy and stay that way! Over the past 5 weeks, with the help of personal trainer, Anton, Steven’s lost a whopping 13 kg – and he’ll be setting up a charity cause to motivate him to lose more.

Read more about his journey, follow Steven through his epic weight loss endeavours and track his progress through the weeks to come.

Steven Gargano Before

Steven Gargano Before - a whopping 154 kg...but not for long

–

Starting weight: 154 kg

27 March 2010
Weigh in: 141 kg
Weight loss to date:
13 kg

As a General Manager, I’ve always been very dedicated to guest satisfaction and taking care of their needs, but somewhere along the way, I forgot about taking care of me.

I’ve enjoyed a very rewarding career and have had great support from a very close family. Being a GM, you have to entertain a great deal. And with a restaurant and a chef that is forever cooking up culinary delights, not to mention the great wine. All this, along with long hours and a chaotic eating pattern has led me to where I am today.

A staggering 154 kilos, a heavy smoker and very unfit.

Don’t ask me how it happened – it just happened.

I have tried every diet in the books and also, at a great expense, had the band done. Meanwhile, my doctor was in a constant battle with my blood pressure that was now at an all time high of 200 over 120. He put me on very strong BP medication and I hated the side effects of these pills.

If I’m honest, I guess the wakeup call came when, being the youngest of 13 children, my family members were all being diagnosed with different cancers. Of course we all have the mentality that “it couldn’t happen to me” but then I started thinking “yes, it could happen to me”. Yet while all this was playing on my mind, I still went along with my daily life, not doing anything about losing weight or changing my habits.

And then one day, some 6 or so weeks ago, Adam, my Front Office Manager walked into my office and told me that I had to wake up and that my weight would be the end of me. He had been madly training to take part in a Kick Boxing competition and on a few occasions had told me that I should meet with his personal trainer, Anton. Of course, I kept brushing this aside and merrily went along with my unhealthy habits.

This time, however, Adam had given Anton my number and told me that he would be in touch.

The next day, Anton did indeed ring and we arranged to meet. This was undoubtedly, one of the most important and enlightening meetings that I have ever had. Anton was unobtrusive but he just seemed to ask the right questions. It really hit me.

I decided that yes I will give this a go, now was the time. Anton took measurements and asked that I get the OK from my doctor. My doctor was very supportive and sent me back to Anton with his blessing and a few details about what would be ok for me to start with in an exercise program.

D day finally arrived.

Now keep in mind that until this day, “exercise” has been a very dirty word to me. But my first training session with Anton was great and yes all that stuff about endorphins was true, you do feel better after training (well – most times).

I have now been training with Anton for over 5 weeks and this has been the best investment that I have ever made.

I am now a non smoker (only slipping up occasionally) and now also do not head for the pub after a hard day (well again I have slipped up on the odd occasion ;) ).

It certainly hasn’t been easy and I would not have stuck to this without Anton. He’s given me invaluable tips and is always there to push me a little harder, to do that one more set of stairs, 30 more seconds of the plank. This has all helped me to get motivated and stay motivated.

I started 5 weeks ago and weighed 154 KGs.

Last Saturday 27th March, I weighed 141 KGs. That is 13 KGs over 5 weeks and a fantastic 2.6 Kilos a week to date!

My first goal is to smash 140 KGs mark. I am pretty sure I will achieve this week. My next goal then will be 130 KGs. My blood pressure is down to a very healthy 114/77.

Yes I do have the knockers that have said it’s a fad, that I’ll be back to my old ways shortly Blah Blah Blah, well this time I will show them.

I AM IN THIS FOR THE LONG HAUL AND NOW KNOW THAT IT’S GOING TO TAKE 12 MONTHS (OR LONGER) TO ACHIEVE MY GOALS.

The support I have had at work from managers and staff has been staggering. The Directors of the hotel have been so supportive of my effort that they will be donating $100.00 for every kilo lost to a charity of my choice.

I hope you too will join with me in supporting the charities by donating for every kilo I lose.

Each week I will let you know how I’m going and update you on the trials and tribulations. Additionally Anton will give a “Tip of the Week.” Next week, I will also have a list of where you can donate to the charities.

Anyone wishing to take the initiative and contact Anton can contact him at  fit_ant@hotmail.com

See you next week.

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Tips for Staying Fit during your Sydney Holiday

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Being on holidays doesn’t have to wreak havoc on your exercise regime. Too often we let ourselves go during vacation, piling on the kilos from meals out and letting go of our fitness programs because we’re away from the gym. However, there’s no reason why we can’t keep fit during our vacation or business trips and still enjoy ourselves. A little planning can go a long way.

For your next holiday, consider working out a workout program and stick with it. Staying fit and active has the benefit of keeping your immune system strong – so you’re less likely to fall ill during your trip. Don’t let your hard work at the gym go to waste with these easy tips.

  1. Take along some gear – light exercise gear, such as skipping ropes, resistance bands, even a medicine ball can be packed with our luggage and taken for the trip. Even if you don’t have room for any extra baggage, you can develop a whole exercise routine using just your body weight and pieces of furniture in your hotel room.
  2. Use the hotel facilities – many accommodations, including the Quality Hotel Cambridge, come with great amenities. Make use of the hotel pool or gym. Ask the staff to determine peak times that facilities are in use and try to schedule your work out when you’ll have some more personal space.
  3. Plan your day with exercise – just like you would at home, there’s no reason why you can’t fit a quick workout into your daily itinerary. Wake up a few hours early or come back for a quick gym session before you head out for the evening, making exercise a part of your day will help you stick with your fitness goals.
  4. Walk! – walking is the perfect way to explore a city and it’s great for your health. Walk from your hotel to nearby attractions or plan out a shopping adventure. Sydney offers some of the best suburbs within walking distance from one another or you can discover the brilliant headlands and beach shores on one of the spectacular Sydney coastal walks.
  5. Get into active activities – hankering to do some kayaking, bush walking or white water rafting? A holiday is the perfect time to get into outdoor activities and try out new things. Who knows, you might find your new favourite hobby when you hit the waves at Bondi Beach.

How do you stay fit on holidays? Let us know your tips!

Quality Hotel Cambridge has great facilities, including a Sydney hotel pool, so you can stay in shape when you’re in town.

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The Sydney Royal Easter Show 2010

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Every year, a million visitors head to Sydney Olympic Park to take part in the annual tradition that is the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Where “city meets country”, the Show is the perfect time for many Australian farmers and bush tuckers to show off their handiwork at one of the most prestigious events in the industry. Dating back to 1823, the Show has moved from more humble roots in Parramatta to the Sydney Showground in Moore Park and finally coming to Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush Bay.

Over two weeks, in what is deemed to be the largest single event held in Australia, the Show includes presentations and competitions in agriculture, livestock, horses and rural skills. It is also a great entertainment centre for families and kids with rides, theme parks, food stalls – and of course the all-important show bags to take home. The NAB Main Arena becomes the stage for lively evening entertainment including a rodeo and the Land Showgirl Competition.

Great Easter Show Highlights

The Purina Sydney Royal Dog Show – one of the highlight competitions of the event, see some of the best and fairest breeds compete to be top dog. Judging takes place daily so you’re sure to catch part of the action.

Sydney Royal Rodeo Series – Riders from across the country battle it out for this highly coveted title. This is one of the most exciting events of the year and you can witness all the glory – and pitfalls – at the NAB Main Arena shows from 1 – 6 April.

The Grand Parade – where the best of the best and cream of the crop come together, the spectacular Grand Parade features the winning entrants from all of the animal competitions. From prize winning cattle to medal winning poultry, this is the only time you’ll find cats marching alongside rats – try coordinating that many animals in one arena! This event is not to be missed.

Getting There

The Show kicks off on 1 April and goes for two weeks, the perfect family activity over the school holidays. Public transportation makes getting to the Show a breeze, with special trains running from Central Station to Olympic Park for the duration of the event.

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Do your bit for the planet – Earth Hour 2010

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

earth hourFor one hour, power down your life and do your bit to help the planet.

Now in its third year, Earth Hour will bring together cities from across the world in an effort to call attention to the climate change epidemic. World icons, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and the Sears Tower plunge into darkness for Earth Hour in hopes of making bigger strides to reduce our worldwide energy consumption.

Earth Hour is an initiative started by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 2007. Originating in Sydney, the event has gone on to include over 1000 cities and will reach new heights this year with three of the world’s tallest buildings, the new Burj Khalifa in Dubai, CN Tower in Toronto and Taipei 101 in Taiwan – going dark for the global event. The actions shown by cities of the world and their inhabitants are crucial to leading a low-carbon resolution to climate change, says Earth Hour Co-Founder and Executive Director, Andy Ridley. “By turning the lights off for Earth Hour, cities are reflecting the aspirations of their citizens as a community that has resolved to take action on global warming.”

Last year, 2.2 million Sydney homes and businesses participated in the event. There are a number of ways that Sydneysiders can take their green initiatives further and make a difference for the planet. Here are some ideas:

  1. Switch off the lights – if nothing else, Earth Hour is about saving energy whenever possible and reducing our need for fossil fuels. Turning off lights when they’re not in use is one of the simplest things we can do to make a real difference.
  2. Limit your showers – Australia is one of the driest continents on the planet, which means we have to be water conscious. By installing a water efficient shower head and limiting our showers to 4 minutes, we can do our part to save one of nature’s most vital resources.
  3. Cold power – when possible, wash your laundry in cold water. Much of the energy used by your washing machine is spent on heating up the water. Line-dry when you can and minimise the use of the clothes dryer.
  4. Go energy efficient – make the switch to low energy light globes. If you’re looking to buy white goods and new appliances, opt for energy efficient models. Energy Star Ratings are there to help you make smart choices about your energy consumption.
  5. Reduce your waste – refuse plastic bags, re-use and recycle what you can. Being eco conscious is about reinventing your mindset to be more aware of unnecessary wastage. Be smart about your lifestyle and spare a thought for our planet.

In Sydney for Earth Hour? Make your trip eco friendly by checking the Quality Hotel Cambridge. We’re encouraging  guests to switch off the lights for Earth Hour and come downstairs for candle lit drinks at the bar – with free nibblies! Here at Quality Hotel Cambridge we make every effort to be energy efficient and eco friendly.

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Hosting a Successful Business Conference

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Hosting a conference demands meticulous planning and preparation but it’s a great opportunity, especially for smaller and newer organisations, to really make a mark in the industry. It gives you the chance to network and engage with others in your field as well demonstrate your expertise and innovation to potential clients and consumers. The key to holding a successful business conference is to plan ahead and to always keep specific goals in mind.

First Steps

First and foremost, make a list of the outcomes you want the conference to achieve. This is probably one of the most important elements organisers need to consider as they brainstorm. Always keep your primary goals in mind as you consider these additional questions:

Who will be the main participants?
Will your conference include delegates from outside of the organisation?
What tasks will delegates be expected to perform and achieve?

You can then formulate the selection of appropriate topics and send out invitations to knowledgeable speakers and presenters.

Next– pick a great venue!

Once you have a great conference plan in mind, it’s time to take action. One of the key decisions you’ll need to make is to decide on a great conference venue. There are a number of points to keep in mind, as the choice of location can make or break your event.

Location Location Location – this is critical picking a great venue, especially if the conference will be held in an unfamiliar city. Check the proximity of the setting to local activities and services. Delegates will be looking to spend blocks of their personal time exploring the city instead of being cooped up in a hotel room. Meanwhile, if your conference is short, lasting no more than two days, a venue close to the airport could be ideal.

Amenities – the variety of Sydney conference venues range from hotels offering function rooms and facilities for small business meetings of four to lecture halls and theatres that will accommodate several hundred delegates. Think about technology and AV equipment. Are there data projection machines and audio-visual aids? Is there internet access?

Transport – if you’ll be hosting your event in the city, such as a Sydney CBD conference, check the accessibility of the venue from the airport as well as public transport availability and overall traffic conditions from main thoroughfares. Delegates should be able to reach the venue without needing a complex road map. If you think delegates will likely be driving to the conference hotel, check parking availability in and around the venue.

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