Archive for April, 2010

Week 9 – Finding the right personal trainer for you

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Anton’s Tip of the Week:

5 things to look for when choosing a personal trainer:

  1. Know what you want and what you want to gain from using a personal trainer before you start looking.
  2. Shop around. not all trainers are the same – they specialise in different areas.
  3. Find out what their qualifications are, how long they have been in the industry and the types of people they have trained.
  4. Sit down with them and have a good chat and ask lots of questions. Make sure there is a rapport there – remember you are going to be spending time with this person so it’s important that you get along.
  5. Don’t just choose a trainer that looks the part, usually they are more interested in looking like a trainer than being the trainer.

With those tips in mind hopefully that can help when looking for a trainer. But first, get out there and give exercise a go for yourself. If you need help to stay motivated or feel that you need more of a challenge to your exercise regime, then look into getting a trainer.

keep exercising guys

anton

To contact Anton email : fit_ant@hotmail.com

30 April 2010

Weigh in: 134 kg

Weight loss to date: 20 kg

–

Hi all,

Hope you are all having a great week, I going to start right off the top with I have done the 20 KG loss! I achieved 134 KGs on my Saturday weigh in. I am, to say the least, very excited to have achieved this and really could not have done this without all of your support and would be nowhere near this weight without Anton.

This week I was going to talk about some of the challenges and obstacles that I have encountered. However, a friend called me on Monday night and told me to watch the “Insight” program on SBS as it was about personal trainers.  I was watching the program and I felt myself getting quite aggregated.

Like all things in life there are good and bad and I was amazed to listen to people talk about their experiences with personal trainers and also talk about the industry in general. In a previous blog, I did discuss that if I had lost a kilo for every gym I’ve joined in the past – and never went back to – I would be a very very light man.

Please do not think that I am anti GYMs, I am only talking about my experiences and what has worked for me.

I personally found that the experiences I have had at gyms to be very impersonal and that they were more interested in achieving monetary targets.

To engage a personal trainer was, to me, an investment in my health and well being. As I sat watching “Insight”, I was amazed at some of the statements being made.

Common sense has to be used, I feel when investing in anything. When I first met Anton and we were discussing what the way forward would be, we were both assessing each other. Anton is a true professional and has a passion to help people achieve a healthier life style. I could sense this and also I believe Anton could sense that I was ready for a change in lifestyle.

This journey is ongoing and I started on this journey as a very overweight (154 kgs), heavy smoker with very high blood pressure.

“Insight” talked about how the industry has some unprofessional characters. My experience with Anton could not have been more professional – this was how our first meeting went.

After our initial meeting Anton asked that I supply a doctor’s certificate giving the “all clear” for training. He sat with me and listed all the injuries that I had, and in addition to the doctor’s certificate, he also took my blood pressure, weight and measurements.

The first session was about my capabilities, working out what level of fitness I was at. Anton worked with my GP and made sure that I was regularly checking back with the doctor for progress reports. Anton also made sure that I was wearing a heart monitor and constantly checked my stats.

I can only say that a personal trainer becomes more than your trainer, Anton has become my confidant, my motivator, and at all times has my well being in mind with whatever we do.

The bond that has formed is one of great trust.

Watch Anton working his magic in the video below

The above video was produced by Lynn and Linda from Travelyackie. Lynn and Linda donated their services and time to myself and Dragons Abreast. Check them out on www.travelyackie.com

Thanks for the continued support of myself and of “Dragons Abreast” – until next week,

Steven

–

Keep up the great work Steven, I know temptation has been in your way this week, but also know how strong you have been to resist – good on you.
Denise

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/

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Steven Gargano – Everyday hero video

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Watch Steven embark on his incredible journey!

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Week 8 – Any Weight Loss is a Great Loss

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

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
Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION
–

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.

–

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/

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Week 7 – Small goals make all the difference

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Anton’s Tip of the Week:

Fast food is something that these days is hard to avoid. So if you have to have some, look for the healthier option.
Most restaurants have a healthy choice menu. It may not taste the same as the regular meal would but it is much better for the waist line.
Stay well, more next week.

To contact Anton email : fit_ant@hotmail.com

14 April 2010
Weigh in: 137 kg
Weight loss to date: 17 kg
Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION
–

Set small goals - achieve them - then move on to the next!

Hello all,

Another week has flown by and I can’t believe how fast the year is passing.

I know that it may sound false, but you all don’t know just how much your words of support mean to me and how they  help me strive to achieve my goals. The comments both on the blog and on the donation page of “Dragons Abreast” are truly uplifting.

Each week opens new experiences as I travel down the road of weight loss. I am now starting to experience everyday things that most people take for granted. Being able to bend over and pick up what you have dropped is no longer an issue – this is just one of the many everyday occurrences that you miss when you are overweight.

I never really classed myself as “overweight” – not in a body image sense – and I’m definitely not losing weight because I want to “look better”. I was always (and still am) very happy with the way I am. My decision to do something about my weight was solely based on health and wanting to feel better, to have more energy and to be able to deal with stress in a healthy way. I certainly do enjoy my job immensely and am even enjoying it more now that I have learnt of different ways to deal with the stress, no longer indulging in 4 glasses of wine, 6 cigarettes and a meal that could have fed a small town.

If you are reading this and you have a weight problem, I can hear you saying, “yeah yeah yeah, I have heard it all before.” Yes, I had heard it all before and I am not going to say that it’s easy, (it’s not and I am not going to candy coat this fact). I enjoy food, great wine, dinner parties and going to nice restaurants with family and friends. A Friday afternoon beer and cigarette with used to be one of my favourite relaxations. The point I am making is yes, it’s hard, however if I can do it you can do it and yes it does get easier. I set small goals and each goal I achieve, I then move on to the next goal.

I used the money saved from my pack a day nicotine addiction and my afternoon beers to spend on training session with Anton, and let me tell he has been one of the best investments I have ever made and it’s already paying off and will continue to pay off during the course of my journey. Again I had joined many gyms in the past (and I mean many) and they just didn’t work for me the way this does. Anton is there each step of the way, showing me the right ways to exercise so I’m not left standing at the gym, staring at a piece of equipment that to me looks like a  lot like a torture device! Anton also helps me target the areas that are a problem. And even though I don’t really jump out of bed going “yeah I am going to training”, I do feel a sense of achievement after each session and I do feel good.

Who would have thought that exercise and eating healthy would allow you to lose weight? I always thought there was an easier way, well guess what, I tried all the easy ways and I know you know, they don’t work.

“Dragons Abreast” continue to receive money for each Kilo that I lose and again THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS!!!!

My sister is today receiving her results after her battle with breast cancer.  She received a copy of an “A Dragon’s Tale” from Michelle, Founding Director of “Dragons Abreast Australia”. In her words:

I did indeed receive a copy of the book “A Dragon’s Tale” & a lovely letter from Michelle. I am really enjoying reading the testimonials written by women who have travelled the same road that our big sister has travelled & now myself. This is a great comfort and joy to read these stories.

I continually am in awe of the strength that my sisters display – they are true inspiration for me to continue on this journey and to raise money for a great cause.

Well down to this week’s weigh in and I am happy to report that I am now 137 KGs, a loss of 2 KGs this week.

For those who have asked, I do my official weigh in on each Saturday, I am hoping to achieve 135 KGs this Saturday which is the lightest that I have been in 10 years. Watch this space.

Please continue to send feedback and please send me any questions that you may have, I am happy to answers all feedback/questions.

–

Here’s what Denise Lynn, National Fundraising Manager for Dragons Abreast has to say:

I have been “galavanting” around Europe for the past 5 weeks on what I would say was a very well deserved break. After giving me that initial cup of coffee from the new Nespresso machine (something that our office has been dreaming of for months), Michelle proceeded to tell me what has been happening while I had been ‘galavanting’ around Europe. Most of the news I expected, but what I did not expect was to be told that a ‘wonderful’ man had come into our ‘Dragons Abreast’ world that not only wants to make life changing choices for his own health, but he wants to donate money to us – can you believe how that feels – it is like “WOW” things like that just don’t happen !!

Steven, you are such an inspiration, and I wish you success each week of this life changing experience that you have embarked upon.

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/



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Get Your Write on – be a part of the Sydney Writers’ Festival

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Have you got a story to tell? Each year, thousands of writers, creative laureates and enthusiastic readers flock to Sydney to take part in the annual Sydney Writers’ Festival. In 2009, over 81,000 people attended over 350 events featuring some of the best known national and international authors.

This year, the festival is welcoming Chip Rolley as its new artistic director for the 2010 season. “The 2010 Sydney Writers’ Festival will feature the best of Australian writing but also be avowedly international in scope, deeply influenced by Sydney’s position as a Western gateway to the cultures of our near and far north,” he says of his plans for this year.

The hub of the event takes place at Pier 4/5 and the Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay, with venues spread throughout the city, from Blacktown to Penrith, even the Blue Mountains and Wollongong.

Highlights for 2010

This year’s festival promises to be a big one with star events including:

- Opening Address by one of the world’s most prominent commentators on Iranian politics, Reza Aslan
- Never previously seen in the Southern Hemisphere, the spectacular debut of Nine Lives at the Sydney Opera House.
- Australian sensation Peter Carey in his first Sydney Writers’ Festival appearance
- A host of other great literary delights including Colm Tóibín, Lionel Shriver, Alex Miller, Cate Kennedy and more.
- Great workshops and a number of free events for aspiring and professional writers to garner valuable tips and share their experiences.

Plus, visitors will get a chance to attend book signings and meet some of their favourite authors throughout the festival.

Find out more at swf.org.au

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Week 6 – Play a little – but then work HARD!

Friday, April 9th, 2010

Anton’s Tips of the Week:

If you’ve had a few drinks the night before, don’t wallow in pity about the hangover and try to kill it off with Mc Donald’s breakfast.
Get up have big glass of orange juice and soda water and do something active, even if you just go for a walk, you’ll be better for it and you will feel a lot better also.

Oh and don’t forget those sunnies!

To contact Anton email : fit_ant@hotmail.com


chocolate bunny

Indulged over Easter - don't wallow, work it OFF!

8 April 2010
Weigh in: 139 kg
Weight loss to date: 15 kg
Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

I’m back again !!! (minus 2 kilos of me that I’m happy to see gone!)

First of all, thank you all for you great words of encouragement, you really do not know how this helps me to stay focused.
The support has been unbelievable from brothers, sisters, nieces, great nephews, friends, work colleagues, my directors and people I have not met. Donations have even come in from as far away as London (Thanks Jan.) In the back of my mind I can always hear those who have said “you won’t last” or “yet another diet derailed” and all the negative comments. I must say that these were all quashed by the words of encouragement that you have all given me both by donating and leaving comments on my blog post.

It was a week of ups and downs.  As I have previously said, being a General Manager means a lot of entertaining and last week was no exception.
I had a client last week who, to say the least, is very important to the hotels business. He is old school and believes – and practices – that if you’re doing business it must be over copious beers and cigarettes. To actually sit for 4 or so hours and not have a beer or cigarette in a pub and then dinner in a fantastic restaurant is unbelievably hard.

As Anton has pointed out to me, I will have days and occasions where I will be tempted and will fall off the horse, and that if this does happen, I must get back up, brush myself off and get back on. I’m happy to say that this was not one of those times. The encouragement along with Anton’s tips helped me through and after more spring water than is in Franklin River and no cigarettes, I left without breaking my diet or giving into my craving for a cigarette. As a footnote, I took a leaf out of my Boss’s book (he is extremely health conscious) and had plain grilled fish for dinner with no butter or dairy – it was fantastic and I enjoyed every mouthful.

Easter, now let me tell you, what a time to be on a get fit program (Thanks Anton for keeping me on the straight and narrow). I don’t suffer from being a Chocoholic, but let me tell you, that when you have mountains of chocolate all around you it’s very difficult. I am very glad to say I survived and didn’t touch one bar.

As you may know, I come from an extremely large family, I am the youngest of 13 siblings and when there is an occasion for us to be together, we jump at the opportunity. Easter Saturday, my brother from Perth was over and quite a few of us were together for dinner. Whether this is correct or not, I think I have failed in the past as it was all or nothing, and when I did stray off the path, I stepped off the path. I have made a conscious decision that at times I will not be as rigid and Saturday night, I enjoyed the pleasure of some fantastic Western Australian Sauvignon Blanc – this was a special treat and I did enjoy having the splurge. At all times I knew how much I had drank and was mentally working out what I would have to do on Sunday morning as penance.
To my own surprise, I jumped out of bed on Sunday morning and walked for just over 5 Kilometers and I burned over 800 calories.

I am not promoting that you break out, however being realistic is helping me on this journey – a treat now and then is good for the soul.

This was a lesson that Anton had been nurturing in my psyche and let me say that it has worked. For every action there has to be a reaction. I am proud of myself for being able to react positively to a night that I thoroughly enjoyed, relaxing, laughing, sharing stories with my family. At no stage did I fell that I was deprived and that everyone else was having all the fun. I enjoyed the night and reacted positively on Sunday morning.

Please know it’s not easy, you turn on the television and you are inundated with very tasty looking fast food ads, you walk down the street and are surrounded by food just saying “eat me”. I arrive at work and there is excellent food around me and guests enjoying themselves.

I received a package this week from Michelle Hanton, founding director of Dragons Abreast, this included their book “A Dragon’s Tale” detailing great tales of courage, laughter, strength and friendship by women with breast cancer. Thanks Michelle, these are the real heroes. I strongly recommend that you all buy a copy of this book as it is a great read.

I am taking one day at a time and addressing each challenge as it arises.

Well enough, you all want to know if I reached my goal this week??????? Remember it was to smash the 140 mark which has been an elusive target for me.

This week’s official weigh in ——— 139 KGs

As you can guess I was ecstatic.

The hotel directors continue to be a great support and will this week by donating as promised $1300.00 to Dragons Abreast ( $100.00 for each Kilo lost )

Also I must mention Scot from “Switched on Media” who  has matched the hotels donations and has donated $1300.00 with a promise of more to come. Thank you Scot, I know that Michelle and Dragons Abreast are absolute blown away by your support as they are with all the support and donations that they have been receiving.

Thank you again for all your support and please follow my progress on my weekly blogs.

- Steven

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Meet the faces of Dragons Abreast

Dragons Abreast provides a face for the breast cancer statistics. We promote awareness and early detection whilst encouraging those living with breast cancer to lead a full, active and healthy lifestyle through participation in the sport of dragon boat racing.

“I have been explaining to our Dragons Abreast members that Steven has chosen us as beneficiaries. The common reaction is one of awe as they read his story and also of gratitude to learn that we are the beneficiaries of his efforts.
Many of our members have had their own battles with weight loss, regaining fitness etc and can fully relate to what Steven will be going through. This is a tough road to walk but the presence of a backup crew and achieving small goals – one step at a time – makes such a difference when the going gets tough. We are blow away by the way everyone is getting behind Steven!”

- Michelle Hanton, founding Director

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/

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