Anton’s Tip of the Week:
When you exercise things don’t always go as planned.
There are always ups and downs and that may include your weight but don’t be discouraged at those times or that your motivation may be wavering – just remember your goals, where you started and what you have achieved.
It may take longer than expected but as long as you do the work – you’ll always get a result to be proud of.
To contact Anton email : fit_ant@hotmail.com
21 April 2010
Weigh in: 136 kg
Weight loss to date: 18 kg
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Any weight loss is a great loss!
Hi all,
You have asked why Dragons Abreast?
Firstly, thank you all for your words of support in what I am trying to personally achieve.
I am overwhelmed by your emails and comments on the hotel website blog that I am doing.
I am the youngest of 13 brothers and sisters. While there has been plenty great news in our lives, there has also been equally bad news for the family. My family over the years has unfortunately been touched too many times by cancer in one form or another.
Two of my sisters, Jeanie and Ann, have both been affected by breast cancer while other members of my families have dealt with other forms of cancer – and it’s an ongoing journey. Meanwhile, my brother Gulio and brother-in-law Phillip, both living and beating cancer, have been doing well. I additionally have had a brother and sister who lost their battles with cancer.
I have to date been blessed in that I have, overall, been in pretty good health and also have a career that I enjoy – considering that at school, I had been voted as least likely to succeed!
Having chosen a career that revolves around great food and great wine – and trust me I have sampled copious amounts of both – I have, as you well know, ballooned to quite a size. And as I have said earlier, I have never suffered from poor body image, or my weight has never been a self esteem issue. I just simply LOVE indulging in Great Food and Great Beverages. J
We can talk for hours about how I arrived at where I was, however quite simply, I worked hard, played hard, and had no time, or didn’t find the time to take care of myself.
There have been many wake-up calls, but I chose not to listen, as it is easier to push these thoughts out of your mind, and go back to concentrating on work. Finally, one day the planets simply aligned and the Front Desk Manager, Adam Brooks walked into my office and said 10 simple words “You will die if you do not do something soon”.
Yes I had heard it before many times, but for whatever reason, this was the pinnacle – Adam’s words along with all the family news since my brother Rolly died a couple of years back and waiting for news from Jean (who was also awaiting the results of her latest tests), and thinking of my beautiful sister who also lost her battle with cancer, the light finally switched on in my mind.
And as we say, here we are.
I keep saying and will say it again, it is bloody tough, and don’t let anyone tell you it’s not. No cigarettes for 6 weeks now and I’ve been on my get fit program the 8th week – who would have thought?.
I keep going on about how your support and comments are invaluable – this feedback, truly is what keeps me going.
All this support got me to thinking, wow I am a very lucky person to have such great family and friends, and that I wanted to help and give back in some little way.
As my family has been hit hard in many ways by this insidious disease, Cancer, it was a logical for me to choose to try and support causes that have helped raise awareness and helped people affected by cancer. I did originally have 2 charities in mind and approached them, one male orientated and one female orientated.
I will not name the second charity as when I approached them, they were very complacent, and to be honest wanted me to jump through a number of hurdles. Now on the other hand, Dragons Abreast have been excellent, supportive and wildly excited about the whole concept from the start – “Dollars raised for Charity with every kilo lost”, to date the amount raised is in excess of $5000.00 and just in 3 weeks.
Dragons Abreast is a grassroots charity and truly deserving of any support we can give.
Well that’s how I arrived at Dragons Abreast.
On to this week, a hard week and as usual, Anton’s guidance has helped me through the hurdles of each day.
Next week, I will delve further into the challenges that I have faced.
While initially disappointed when I had my weigh in on Saturday, it was Anton who again rallied and motivated me. I had lost 1 Kilo this week and am now at 136 kgs. As I said initially I was disappointed however I now realise that it has really taken 40 years to get here and that losing weight will be a long process.
One kilo is still a mighty effort and I am getting fitter and am also starting to build muscles – muscle is heavier than fat.
Any weight loss is a great loss.
My sights are set on 134 kgs this Saturday, which will be a milestone in that if I achieve this will mean that I have lost 20 kilos in 8 weeks.
Tune in next week to see if I have achieved my goal.
Keep the comments coming in, I do love receiving and reading them.
Ciao for now.
Steven.
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