Archive for the ‘Steve’s Biggest Loser’ Category

« Older Entries

Steven’s Weight Loss Blog – Countdown to Christmas…

Monday, November 8th, 2010

Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

'Tis can still be the season for healthy eating!

I guess we can say the countdown to Christmas has begun. I have to admit I have had a frustrating 2 weeks. Two years ago, I attended Tourism Trade Show in Melbourne. (Now before I go any further, I have to point out that I had not had a single alcoholic drink.) I was on a tram with other delegates, when it came to our stop, I somehow missed the step stepping off and ended up on the street head down in the bitumen. Ended up in the emergency room, they did some x-rays etc and I found out I had severely twisted my ankle.

Over the past two years, I have had reoccurring problems with my ankle. Each time I went to the doctor limping and swollen ankles, he would send me on my way saying it was Gout. (I have a history of Gout). I tried to dispute this, saying that it was a completely different pain.

The saga continued when I recently returned from overseas and my ankle, elbow and knee were all playing up (They were all very swollen and painful). I didn’t go to the doctor as I knew that it would be the same diagnosis. I was walking back from the shops at the beginning of last week and my leg gave way from under me. I again ended up face down on the street and hit my head on the gutter. I pretty much looked like I had been in the ring with Ali. I hopped up and went home, woke up in the morning and what can I say – I had an elephant’s ankle and knee. Went to the doctor and straight away he sent me for head and ankle scans as, x-rays along with a bone density test. I was very relieved to find out that I do have a brain J. The scan however revealed that the bones on my ankle are chipped and there has been bone deterioration due to it not healing properly after the fall from the tram 2 years ago.

I was told to have 2 weeks of minimal use of my ankle and was put on 2nd dose of very heavy steroids. I am not sure if as I wasn’t aware that one of the side effects of steroids (in some people) is an unrelenting appetite and I mean unrelenting!!!! This along with the no exercise I have had asince I have returned has really taken its toll.

Sitting around and being told by the doctor in no uncertain words that no exercise was/is to be done for two weeks has meant my weight has suffered. It is all cause and effect. As I approach 50 I now have a better understanding of why exercise is important.

It has been very frustrating for me not to be able to continue on the road to my goals. As per usual Anton being his wise self has instilled into me that was has been done can be undone. I have revaluated my goals and won’t be at 95 Kilos for my 50th I will however be at 100 KGs.

I start back at The Bunker tomorrow (yes, I know that its only 1 week and I am supposed to rest for 2) doing a light workout. I really have to start moving again and getting back into the routine. I finished the prescriptions of steroids yesterday, so I can now return to the healthy eating package I was on.

I am very glad to have October over and am looking forward to getting back on track. With Anton’s help, I never once thought of giving up, and yes due to circumstances I have put on weight, in the past I would have just said “Stuff it, it’s too hard”. Not this time – as I am very motivated and have so much support from Anton, family and friends.

Weigh-in will be this Saturday and I obliviously didn’t weigh in last Saturday, I am quite mentally prepared to see how much the ankle has affected the weight. I am thinking that it will be 4 Kilos and that would put me at 114 KGs. Fingers Crossed

Till next week,

Cheers

Steven

–

Dragons Abreast

About Dragons Abreast

Yes Steven, the visit from that man in the Red suit is fast approaching, and you have had some minor setbacks, but from now on in, imagine how good your going to feel at Christmas time now that you are back on track.
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/

Posted in Steve's Biggest Loser | 11 Comments »

We’re back! – Steve’s Weight Loss Blog

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

Weigh-in: 110 kg

Weight loss to date: 47.5 kg

Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

fishandchips

Visiting the home of Fish 'N' Chips! (not recommended for getting fit...)

–

Hi there all,

Thank you so much for all your emails. I was surprised to receive so many emails asking me, where was the blog?

I actually thought that people were over reading about my weight loss. I am still at 110 kilos (as of the scales this morning). I have just returned from three and a half week tourism NSW sales mission to UK/Europe. I do these yearly and I have to tell you that this was the hardest trip I have ever done. There were 23 of us on the mission representing different products from various tourism boards, hotels, day tours and attractions from across Sydney and NSW. The whole crew ended up coming down with a virus, actually two of the attendees were sent back home to Australia. Not to mention very early morning starts and very late evening finishes – and this was just the tip of the iceberg. You name it, it went wrong in this trip! I’m not going to bore you with all the details. However, one of my nephews did say that he couldn’t stop laughing when he heard what had happened to me during this trip.

Needless to say, that while I was away I only got to go to gym twice. I am very proud to say that I gained just under a kilo during the time away and I have already returned to my previous weight of 110 kilos from when I left.

Anton continues to be a source of inspiration. This being my first week back, I thought I would be back to training last Monday. Unfortunately, this did not happen as I arrived back very late on Friday night. On Monday I was still jet lagged and feeling very run down. Then on Wednesday morning, I woke up and could not bend my elbow.

So, I’m off to restart my training this coming Monday. I am proud of the fact that there were many functions throughout my trip (practically every night and every lunch) and for the most part, I was pretty disciplined. You can’t really control the social situations and for me it’s extremely hard as I love good food and good wine. I did indulge a bit but halved portions that I could, and alternated my consumption to wine/water/wine. It was very refreshing on the mornings when we woke up at ungodly hours to catch trains and planes, that I was one of the few in our team that wasn’t hung over.

I proved that it could be done and when I say there were many functions and social events – there really were at least two a day. All the things that Anton has drilled in to me clicked in. My next weigh in will not be till Saturday week after I return to training this Monday (depending on doctor’s approval). I now do feel very sluggish if I don’t do some exercise, and I never thought I would ever say this, but I do feel healthier when exercising. I have re-evaluated my goals and by my 50th birthday (on the 18th of February 2010) – I want to be at my goal and weigh 95 kilos.

Thanks again for all your emails, support and yes I will continue writing about my progress. Please continue to support Dragons Abreast. The hotel will be donating another $500 this week for this great cause.

Ciao for now.

Steve

–

dragonsabreastAbout Dragons Abreast

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/

Posted in Steve's Biggest Loser | 18 Comments »

Week 21 – Only the Scales Know

Friday, August 6th, 2010

Anton’s Studio

You can train with Anton at the Bunker Studio:

Bunker Training

Shop 50/ Regent Place
Redfern, NSW 2016
Email: info@thebunker.net.au
Phone: 0415682813

Weigh-in: 115.5 kg

Weight loss to date: 42.5 kg

Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

–

Hi All,

Hope this finds you all well. I like others (especially our overseas guests stopping at the hotel) are very happy to see the sun.

I must admit that I am glad that Anton has moved and has opened his personal training studio, I can’t imagine how I would be in the wet and the cold training in the early morning.

My weight loss journey continues, each week it is getting a little harder to move the kilos. I am now at 115.5 KGs.  My original goal was 110 KGs and I will reassess this when I achieve this. I am in no way disheartened by the slow down, I knew the weight loss would slow down, and I know the reasons – in addition to adding muscle, when I had first started working out, I would burn anything from 600 to 800 calories. I now burn about 500 to 600 calories (except for the last 2 training sessions where I did averaged a  1000 each time – I think Anton wanted to prove to me that I could do it. Mind you I nearly crawled home J). Anton has been very technical in explaining the change, however in a nut shell, as you get fitter you have to work harder to burn the same amount of calories, however your overall metabolism is boosted so it should help. (Anton explains this a whole lot better than I do.)

Also as pointed out to me, you also have to look at the percentage of weight loss to your body weight. 2 kilos at 158 kilos is a 2 % loss while 1 kilo at 115 kilos is almost 2 % loss as well. So I am on track when you keep in mind the percentage of weight loss.

With the slow down, Anton has introduced new torture – I mean exercises J. I can honestly say that it is refreshing to try out and learn new exercises (trust me I don’t say this when I am doing them). I know that I have to be pushed, and this is what having a personal trainer does. The session before the last I had was a prime example – I had to be pushed and encouraged or I would have given up. However, having a personal trainer (in my case Anton) encouraging me and yes hounding me not to give up, repeating over and over that I can do it, allowed me to achieve my highest ever calorie burn of 1125 in a session. It was a great sense of personal achievement.

Last week, when I hopped off the scales, I put on a suit I used to wear 5 months ago; all I can say is WOW, there was room in the pants for another small person and I was swimming in the coat. At times, when the scales aren’t telling you what you want to hear, take time and reflect on the achievements you have made. This is what I did and let me tell you it really helped. Just putting on that suit uplifted me and gave me the boost I needed. A 42.5 Kilo Loss since I first started in late February and early March is something.

The hotel is abuzz with the upcoming “Dragons Abreast Charity Cabaret” – to date we have over $5000.00 in prizes for the night. It promises to be a great night with prizes from Ray Ban sunglasses and cases of wine to a session in a music studio where you can record your own record (oops I mean CD 0 showing my age ). So if you haven’t booked, do it now as there are limited seats left.

Well tomorrow (Saturday 7th) is my official weigh in day and I am not sure what the figures will be, I don’t feel that there will be a big loss this week, however as I have learnt “only the scales know”.

Until next time

Cheers,

Steven

–

About Dragons Abreast

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

The negative Steven this week is that  training might getting harder but the positive is you have listened and you understand the technical side of exercise and weight loss and are still very committed to change your lifestyle. Well done !!

- 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/

Posted in Steve's Biggest Loser | 7 Comments »

Get ready for a festive celebration at the Cambridge Hotel

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Dragons Abreast posters

The staff are gearing up for our special cabaret night - Lilia, Steven, Itzhak and Manja hope you'll join them for a night for fun and frolic - all for a worthy cause.

Greetings from Steven,

The Cambridge Hotel staff members have all been enthusiastic about supporting the amazing efforts of Dragons Abreast. Since teaming up to support this very worthy cause, some of the initiatives we have undertaken are the Pink Pig money boxes ay reception where guests can leave their loose change and the Dragons Abreast accommodation package, where 5% of the room revenue from this package is donated to Dragons Abreast. In our lobby we have installed a display cabinet selling and promoting Dragons Abreast Cancer Merchandise which includes the Keyring of Hope , Candle of Hope, Bracelet of Hope and this is only to name a few items. This to date has proved very popular with many guests buying and raising money for Dragons Abreast.

On the 27th of August the hotel will play host to a Charity night event. This promises to be a great night with lots of surprises and prizes. The beautiful Lesley Hancock will be performing her now famous comedy “Branson with the Stars” or commonly known as “Come Fly With Me”. This is a high energy show and at times a little risque, however a lot of fun!

We have prizes for the night such as McWilliams Wines, Cheviot Bridge Wines, Porterhouse Irish Pub, good old favourites including meat and veggie trays and this is to name just a few.

The staff has been working extremely hard to make this night a success. We have the Pink Dragons Breath Cocktail on arrival, this was specially invented for the night by our Food and Beverage Manager Itzhak, and the pink theme will continue through the whole night.

Our Dragons Abreast posters have arrived and I must say we’re all very excited to see the cabaret coming together. We’ve also been featured in a Channel 10 interview this week.

I can only say how proud we are to be associated with such an organisation, Dragons Abreast has injected a breath of fresh air for both myself and the staff at the Quality Hotel Cambridge – their enthusiasm, zest and sense of fun and life is contagious.

I know that the partnership will long continue past when I achieve my own goals.

Get ready for the night of your life. Book your tickets for our special fundraising night at Cambridge Hotel.

Posted in Steve's Biggest Loser, Things to Do | No Comments »

Week 20 – The next step: setting new goals

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Anton’s Tip of the Week:

Exercise is all about goals: setting them, achieving them and setting new ones.
We all become complacent in life. We feel that once we have gotten to the goal that we have done enough and we can always do more later on.

It’s at this point that the battle is really only half won.

You have done a lot of hard work and it’s great to be able to say “I started this way and now I’m like this,” but it’s being able to maintain what you have done and to go further that takes more discipline.

I’m not saying that what you have previously done has been for nothing – but if you let yourself slip – then it has been.

It’s easy to slip back into bad habits and you can end up right back where you started a lot quicker than it took the first time.

So my advice is to keep at while you have the momentum behind you.

Thanks guys, more next time.
Stay healthy – Anton

To contact Anton email : fit_ant@hotmail.com

ladder

Keep on reaching for new goals

Weigh-in: 118 kg

Weight loss to date: 36 kg* (see below)

Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

–

A big hello to all, I must admit that I have lived in Sydney for near on 25 years and can’t remember it being this cold – many of you have suggested that I am feeling the cold more now as I don’t have as much padding :) .

These 2 weeks has been a difficult 2 weeks for Anton’s training regime as I have had a severe gout attack during the last 2 or so training sessions. Anton is very patient and has worked around this. I also succumbed to a sinus infection which warranted a trip to the doctor. My doctor has been 100% supportive of my efforts and was again amazed at my progress and commented on my excellent blood pressure/blood sugar levels.

Over these past few training sessions, I have concentrated on building muscle and must admit I am starting to see changes (again I know that muscle weighs more than fat).

I do want to clear up the confusion over my progress and my weight loss tally above.

I started this journey at 158 KGs (I have told you previously how I started)

On this occasion, I was extremely serious about losing the weight, keeping it off and changing my lifestyle. I realised rather quickly that to break the pattern that I had done before – where I would get started on a weight loss program, do well in the beginning and then just veer off track – I would need help to achieve my goals. You all know from previous blogs how I was introduced to Anton. I began the process with Anton and my GP’s blessing with a goal of achieving 110 KGs.

When I reached 154 KGs, the directors of the hotel suggested that I pick a charity and declared that Cambridge Hotel would donate $100 for ever kilo I lost. You all know again from previous blogs how I come to pick and partner with “Dragons Abreast”.

I will again say that this has not been an easy journey, however I must emphasise that it has been a rewarding journey and it continues. I could not have done this without Anton’s help and the wonderful support from my family, my friends, co-workers and the wonderful ladies (and gentlemen) of Dragons Abreast – I am again thanking you all as last Saturday  - on my 17th weigh-in I achieve in what I can only describe as a milestone.

I weighed in at 118 KGs

Since the beginning approximately 5 months ago, I have lost 40 Kilos.

Anton has now fully prepared me for what comes next. I will now slow down on my weight loss, I still have 8 KGs to my next goal and I am hoping that I can achieve this in 8 weeks. It is quite surreal saying this and seeing that I will be 110 KGs, for those of you who have not experienced having a weight problem, it is a very rewarding feeling for me to be able to say that I am achieving my goals in weight loss.

The blogs will continue and, along with Anton and my GP we will see what happens when I finally reach 110 KGs (if you listen to the professionals they say my ideal weight is 90 KGs).

The second half of the year also brings challenges – “Awards Season” starts shortly in September and I have the UK/ Europe sales missions and many conferences in the second part of 2010.

As I always say, one day at a time.

Please mark in your diary that The Quality Hotel Cambridge will be hosting a Cabaret night for Dragons Abreast on the 27th August 2010, it promises to be a fantastic night.

Find out more about our fabulous Cabaret festivities!

Until next time, stay well, stay warm and cheers

Steven

–

About Dragons Abreast

Ok I am back with the positive and the negative ——– the negative ‘yeah sure it might be cold in Sydney – but the positive is you’re looking good in your track suit’ :)

- 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/

Posted in Steve's Biggest Loser | 9 Comments »

Week 18 – Countdown to one of my big goals – stay tuned!

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Weigh-in: 122 kg

Weight loss to date: 32 kg

Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

–

Hi All,

Keep your goals in sight

Anton had asked me what my goals were when we first started; I had set out 3 goals and one of them was for my weight to be 120 kilos for the family reunion. I have been working hard and this week’s weigh in (I am weighing in tomorrow) will let me know if I met my goal!

Last week, I talked about how exercise has been the key to my weight loss journey. I cannot express strongly enough just how much getting active has helped. It was very small steps in the beginning and please remember that, when I started this I was 158 kilos (156 kilos when I joined Anton). I was also suffering with gout and had extremely high blood pressure.

Anton, with my GP’s blessing, worked on a program that would suit my fitness level (which was extremely unfit :) ). The first weeks were spent walking up the stairs at the South’s training ground in Redfern park – this literally started with me just being able to do one set, I am now up to 50 sets. I started with doing 50 punches and am now up to 1000.

I will never tell you that I am an exercise junkie, however, try it out and get moving – I guarantee you’ll feel better for it.

In saying that the training is fun, it has been cold lately and I am very happy to say that Anton has moved into his Studio where I trained (one on one, as it is still personal training) yesterday. The new equipment that Anton has has opened another world of pain :) . I am looking forward to learning new techniques and ways of slimming down further. I am never sure of what Anton’s tips will be, however a tip from me is to contact Anton as I am sure he will have opening introductory specials.

Next week starts the journey of what to do with the excess skin, as you are all aware I have been overweight for many, many years and this excess skin is a result from this.

Short blog this week as not a lot has happened.

Now for last Saturday’s weigh in, 122 Kilos and yes another 2 Kilo loss last week, fingers crossed that a lot of hard work, I will meet my first goal of 120 Kilos by the family reunion this Saturday.

In closing I must report that “Dragons Abreast” needs your support as they receive no government funding, the journey I have been on has raised over $9000.00 for this very deserving charity. Thank you for your generosity and the hotel will be hosting a charity night at the end of August, more info to come.

Keep well, keep warm and see you next week.

Steven

–

About Dragons Abreast

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

Wow Steven!! Congratulations! Setting goals at the beginning is such a great thing to do, and it certainly looks like you are going to achieve this goal. Look forward to hearing the “120 is here” and of course all the comments from the Gargano Reunion.

Denise

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

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

Tags:
Posted in Steve's Biggest Loser | No Comments »

Week 17 – Keep Positive People Around You

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Weigh-in: 124 kg

Weight loss to date: 30 kg

Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

Positive people

Don't go it alone! - surround yourself with supportive people

Dear All,

Yes it has been 2 week since my last blog and I must say, it has been eventful since ATE.

I had a quick weekend back in my home town, great to catch up with some of the family. It was fantastic to see family and their reaction to the weight loss, very uplifting. We are all in the mist of getting very excited about our upcoming family reunion which takes place next weekend, with family descending on Sydney from near and far.

I mentioned above that I was uplifted by the reaction from family that I have not seen (due to distance) in some months and it was great timing as it has been an up and down few weeks. I did reach 125 KGs 2 or so weeks ago, I then (unexplainably) gained and went up to 128 KGs. We have been through reasons on previous occasions why this happens and I must say that the retention of fluid plays a major role in what the scales say.

During this period, I was continually supported with words of encouragement from friends and also in particular Anton. I now know firsthand, the power of having positive people around you. The other interesting discovery that I realised is that like with my past efforts to lose weight, I had flat moments – however I never thought of giving up. I attribute this wholly to the exercise program that Anton has created for me. The exercise is hard and I am pushed, however at the end of each session I am overwhelmed with a sense of achievement. Now, this coming from the original couch potato is quite a revelation. Don’t think that I have become an exercise junky (because I haven’t), I am sure you can all hear me moaning in Darwin when I have to get out of bed in the early hours of the morning to meet Anton in the park. When the alarm sounds and I pull the doona up (Sydney is Antarctica at the moment, especially in the early morning) and try to snuggle in for the long haul, I suddenly remember how I feel when I don’t train: lethargic, bloated and unmotivated. This springs me into action (well that’s a bit of an exaggeration ;) ). You do have to push yourself to do the exercise – however each week it does get a little easier.

I can only say that the key is, if you can’t get a trainer, grab a friend, grab a few friends – this makes it more bearable that doing it alone.

This brings me to my next revelation (there has been a few of them lately) 0 a very good friend of mine who is also on this journey to lose weight and is training with Anton, texted me the other day and said “City to Surf – are you up for it?” To my complete surprise, I texted back and said “You bet I am” – so come on all and join us!!!!

I am not sure whether I have told you this, however when I started this weight loss and get fit journey I was at 158 KGS after 2 weeks of dieting I was down to 156 KGs and I was struggling – this is when I knew I needed help as I was in the right mind set to do this for the last time. That’s when I met with Anton and started a new lifestyle. As I said, I started with Anton at 156 kgs and then started on the fund raising for Dragons Abreast at 154 KGs.

You may ask after around 4 months (I started at the end of March) what is your weight today, I am happy to say that I am, as of last Saturdays weigh in —- 124 KGs :D

34 KG loss – that’s at this stage of the program, averaging just over 2 KGs per week.

I do have a goal of being 120 KGs for the family reunion next Saturday on the 3rd. I have this week’s weigh in on Saturday the 26th and then the next on the 3rd.

I feel like I have done well this week, however as I have learned, scales have a mind of their own.

That’s it for this week

Until next week.

Be good and remember to surround yourself with positive people,

Steven.

–

About Dragons Abreast

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/

Tags:
Posted in Steve's Biggest Loser | 3 Comments »

Week 15 – Scales are a Guide

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Anton’s Tip of the Week:

Hello me again,

This week’s tip is wearing the appropriate foot wear when exercising.

It is important to have good shoes when you’re exercising. That doesn’t mean you have to get the most expensive pair and ladies, all running shoes look bad, so dont expect to find a pair that’s going to go with the rest of your work out gear. Just make sure you have the right shoe for you.
That means, if you need a supportive shoe, you get a supportive shoe. If you need a shoe that’s cushioned, then you get a shoe that’s cushioned. If you’re unsure get some advice from the people at the shop. They want to sell you shoes, so tell them what activities you’re doing and ask them to look at your feet and get them to prescribe the right shoe for you.

If you don t have the correct shoe or you have a pair that’s too old, you could cause yourself unnecessary pain. Also if you suffer from shin splints, it could be caused by the shoes your wearing.

Until next time, take care.
Anton
To contact Anton email : fit_ant@hotmail.com

Do scales lie?

Weigh in: 128 kg

Weight loss to date: 26 kg

Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

Hi All,

It has been a hectic 2 weeks on both the work and personal fronts. I attended A.T.E last week which is the largest tourism trade show in the southern hemisphere. It was a great success and I must say, on a personal note, great for the ego. The compliments that I received on the weight loss were very uplifting from industry colleagues that I have not seen in 12 months, since last A.T.E. Additionally the hotel gave out Dragons Abreast “Keyrings of Hope” to over 6o international buyers along with many Dragons Tale books to the media. The partnership between the hotel and Dragons Abreast has received tremendous feedback and articles have run in travel media about this.

A big thank you to the Northern Territory delegates that came up and congratulated us on the Initiative and partnership we have with Dragons Abreast (whilst Dragons Abreast is a national charity, it was established in NT) Thanks to Michelle from Dragons Abreast for letting N.T. delegates aware of what we are doing.

Now, on to the past 2 weeks – it’s been a roller coaster ride to say the least. First, I am going to say that my measurements are very impressive, to date I have lost 6 and half inches of my stomach (yes, I know still a lot more to go) and I have lost 5 inches of my chest, as well as inches off my legs and neck. I have now developed muscles on my biceps and chest – whilst small, they’re still muscles.

I have also learnt how important muscle is in helping to burn fat. I have gone down in shirt size from a 58 to a 46 and in pants size from a 60 to a 46. I tried on my suit and belt that I was wearing when I first started and it looked like one of those infomercials with me standing there and having so much room to spare.

The scales however continue to be my nemesis. I’ve had 2 weigh-ins since my last blog and I am embarrassed to say that I have hit a plateau and have put on weight. I am currently at 128 KGs as of last Saturday’s weig- in.

Please know that I do know how this happens and please if you are on a weight loss program, DON’T ALWAYS RELY ON THE SCALES. On my check up yesterday, the doctor, along with Anton, have told me again and again there are other factors to a little gain – muscle weighs more than fat and also I retained fluid. If I weigh myself after a workout, I can weigh up to 2 kilos less than if I had not done a work out. Scales are a guide!!!

Goals are worth setting and striving for. At first, I was disappointed and I had to re assess my goals, I was aiming to be 120 kilos for an upcoming family reunion on the 2nd July. Now with Anton’s guidance I have adjusted this goal to 124 kgs.

As you are aware my job entails a lot of entertaining and the A.T.E. is probably the pinnacle of this, cocktail parties are, in my opinion the worst type of function, as it is hard to keep track of what you have eaten and how many times the wait staff have filled your glass. I had 3 of these events and I must advise, if possible try to avoid them. After one such function, I spent 2.5 hours in the hotel gym the next day. Dinners are a lot easier as you can control your intake of food and drink.

While I have had a up and down two weeks, I do honestly believe while I may not have lost weight, however I find it very hard to understand the 2 kilo gain – yes I did have work nights where there were indulgences. I did keep up my exercise program, and as usual Anton put it all into perspective, my body is continuing to change and adapt every week. Last week, my routine was interrupted with 4 nights of “abnormal habits”, well, abnormal at least for the past 4 months. As a result, my body was, well for lack of a better word “in shock”.
I guess I have to be more diligent at these functions. They will not go away as it is part of my job however I again stress that if they can be avoided when you are on a weight loss program – do so. Also, let me say, that even thought I followed each day with exercise, I now notice that those nights of cocktail parties left me feeling lethargic and bloated – which is different from how I used to feel before I began this journey.

This is not, by any stretch of the imagination, say that I will never drink or eat unhealthy food again, just not at the moment.

This Saturday’s weigh-in will be very interesting to see what the scales say.

Until then,

Steven

–

About Dragons Abreast

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

The positive and the negative from me: the negative –  oh well the scales are up, but the positive is the boost of confidence from the compliments you received. Keep it up! – Denise, Dragons Abreast

Tags:
Posted in Steve's Biggest Loser | 2 Comments »

Week 13 – A new outlook on life

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Anton’s Tip of the Week:

Do you like butter?
Butter is one of those wonderful things that makes boring things all the more interesting. Nearly all of us eat it and all of us enjoy it…. BUT…

Butter is 100% fat and the average person consumes 5 kilos of butter per year. So if you’re trying to watch your weight, get that butter out of your diet and that’s 5 kilos that you don’t have to worry about.

Being concious of what you eat and regular exercise will keep you fit and healthy.

Thanks Anton

To contact Anton email : fit_ant@hotmail.com

Jump

Weigh in: 125 kg

Weight loss to date: 29 kg

Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

–

Another week has flown by and I am very happy to report this week I had a 2 KGs loss :)

As I said last week, it definitely is a test to keep motivated when you plateau. So a big THANK YOU to you all for your great words of support.

I had my check up with my G.P. this week and am happy to report that I have perfect blood pressure and am off all the blood pressure medicine. This was always one of my big goals when I started on this journey, and I must say it is very liberating to not have to take a tablet each day for blood pressure. I discussed in depth with the doctor about me reaching a plateau and as with all feedback, he told me “It will happen and will happen again”. The doctor said my body is going through massive changes and it will fight some of these changes. I was very taken back when he looked back at my history (I have been going to the same G.P. for 20 years)  and said that the weight I am is the lightest that I have been since I have been seeing him. I am now at 125 KGs and this is also the lightest that I can remember being. The doctor and I spent quite a while talking about the whole weight loss and I was quite surprised to hear that for reasons that I am not sure of at the moment, I do have fluid retention. The GP said that this can account at times for as much as 2 kilos.

It was also very empowering to be able to look at the long term goals and not give into a short term “feel good fix”. I continue to be more motivated than ever and a big part of this is thanks Anton’s guidance and support. I have to strongly recommend that if you are thinking on embarking on weight loss, a personal trainer is a great asset to have in achieving your goals. Anton is not only helping me get fit but has also become a confidant and to some extent, a psychologist.

It is quite amazing the things you discover about yourself when you are gently (I use that term loosely) being pushed to achieve more. “Do that extra 10 seconds of planks”, “Do 2 more squats” etc. I have been totally taken unaware, and I don’t mean to sound all airy-fairy here, however getting active and training has really given me a new and very positive outlook. I know this sounds all very new age, but it’s true, I just have a new outlook.

This week, I will be in Adelaide from Saturday to Sunday attending Australian Tourism Exchange, this is the largest  Travel/Trade show in Australia and believe me, it will be a test with dinners every night – including sensational South Australian wines. Then there are the lunches and the never-ending array of cocktail parties showcasing all we have to offer to international tourists. This is a fantastic event and I must say I am already starting to doubt my will power. Anton has already been counseling me on what exercise I must do in the hotel gym. I have no problem with this and know that I will stick to the regime he has set out for me. I am not as sure about how my will power will fair resisting the fantastic food and wine that will be on show. Again I will just keep reminding myself EVERYTHING IN MODERATION!!!

In closing, a special big THANK YOU to my niece and her husband who have been in contact with Anton, (you know who you are) and I cannot tell you how blown away I am with what you have done.

That’s it for this week and until next week from Adelaide.

Cheers for now.

- Steven

–

About Dragons Abreast

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

Steven, congratulations on not having to take medication for your blood pressure – great news. I always say that there has to be a positive that comes out of a negative – so the negative was the plateau, and the positive is no more pills’, fantastic effort once again

- Denise, Dragons Abreast

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

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

Tags:
Posted in Steve's Biggest Loser | 7 Comments »

Week 12 – That dreaded weight loss “P” word (the one that rhymes with blateau…)

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Anton’s Tip of the Week:

Set backs, they happen with everything that we do in life. In the world of exercise they happen more often than not. Injuries, sickness, work, family, no motivation and the list goes on and on…

All these things will pop up from time to time and all these things will get in the way from what we want to do. But why should it?

There is always something that you can do to get around all these problems. If your foot is injured go for a swim or do some weights. If you work till late in the evening get up a little earlier and take some time out for yourself. If you cant find time to exercise and spend time with your loved ones then combine the two: take your loved ones for a run!

There is always another option. If we do it today then we don’t have to do it tomorrow.

Stay healthy guys – more next week.

-anton

To contact Anton email : fit_ant@hotmail.com

Let the scales guide you, not control you

Weigh in: 127 kg

Weight loss to date: 27 kg

Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

–

Hi All,

Another week another kilo, well not exactly…

Anton had been warning me, and my doctor had as well, “you will plateau- be prepared it will happen and is part of the whole process.”

Well it has happened this week, I didn’t lose weight. :( And even though, I had been warned, I still felt winded.

I actually weighed myself 9 times in a half hour and there was still no movement, stead fast on 127 KGs.

Then came the questions, I worked hard, I trained hard, why why why!!!!

Again, it was with the support of Anton that I have now put all of these questions into perspective.

My body (and lifestyle) are undergoing some massive changes, and all of a sudden I am taking away what my body has perceived as its fuel. My body is saying I must stock up and hoard away this energy (fat) in case of an emergency. I also know that this week, for whatever reason, I retained fluid.

For any one that is embarking on a great weight loss, please be prepared for these plateaus and for the body to readjust itself. I again say that even though I knew this plateau would come, I can’t explain the sinking feeling I went through. “I let Anton down, I let myself down, I’m not working hard enough,” and just doubting myself in general.

As you are all aware, I am the General Manager of The Quality Hotel Cambridge, and have to be truthful and say that I would rather deal with 50 complaining guests then deal with the feeling of not achieving a weight loss.

Now as you know, I weigh in each Saturday and after trying to get the scales to tell me something different (nine times) I texted Anton to let him know. I then sat down and the dark clouds started to appear – sort of the little devil on my shoulder. “Why don’t I just go out and get a Chicken Burger, Fries, Sundae and a Double Chocolate Malted Thick with extra Ice Cream? Now that would make me feel better!” This went on for about 4 hours and then just like a bolt from above, my phone alerted me that I had a text. Impeccable timing, as it was from Anton and this refocused me on what I have achieved – 27 KGs lost, now that is no easy feat. I feel better than I have in a long time, I look healthier than I have in a long time and have more energy and gusto than I have in a long time, and am definitely fitter than I have ever been…. (Last week for the first time, I achieved 3 x one minute planks).

It took the text for me to stop feeling sorry for myself and to say to myself WELL DONE !!!

I say phooey to the scales, they are only a guide and even though they are telling me I have not lost weight, I know that I am smaller than last week (not that I call 127 KGs small) – I took my belt in another notch. This week, I even had the luxury of going into Rebel Sports and was able to buy a track suit off the rack. I never thought that I would venture into the holy grail of sports stores and be able to actually buy clothes. I was always banished to the “Big and Tall Shop” or the big men’s section in the cheap and cheerful department stores.

I then jumped off the lounge and stared at the scales and thought loudly (if you can think loudly :) ) “you are not going to take away that feeling and sense of overwhelming achievement that was actually buying clothes off the rack at what is perceived as a normal every day store.”

The lesson I learnt last week is that, yes the scales are a tool to guide you, however there are other factors to consider such as, yes, I am stronger and it is a known fact that muscle is heavier than fat.

So take guidance but don’t be controlled by the scales.

That’s me for this week, keep the comments coming!!!

Cheers,

Steven

–

About Dragons Abreast

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/

Tags:
Posted in Steve's Biggest Loser | 17 Comments »

« Older Entries