Hey EFM Geelong!

Here's something different for you - the EFM Geelong blog where we can upload photos, post weekly updates and generally muck around when we should be working!

27 Days ago we started a 6 Week Challenge to lose 6 Kilograms of fat. Lots of people put their hand up to say that was a goal worth working toward...how many of you can say that you have done everything required to achieve it? Attended every session at the Club they could to get stronger, leaner, fitter and more fabulous? Eaten only healthy food options? I'd suggest that only a few members have done everything possible. Why? It's hard, really hard to change old habits and to build new ones. Does that mean that we should give up? Well, you can if you want to but that would only put you back where you started. At times like this, we need to stop, think about what we are aiming at and do a quick check to make sure that we are putting our energy into the right things.

If you think you need a quick review of your goals and action plans come and have a chat to me about it...you might be closer to getting it right than you think. Consider how many times people try to give up smoking before they finally quit for good - learning how to achieve goals is like that - you might need to try several times before it all falls into place. The 6 Week Challenge is not over yet, there are still 16 days to go, so if nothing else you can get started on a fitter, leaner you right now. Today!

You might have noticed the photo of our little mate Cookie Monster - he's off to the USA (again) with Lyne this time and he's up for some more exercise. We'll be putting more photos of him up soon from his recent trips to Bali, Japan, the USA, Mexico, and sunny QLD. If you are off on holidays take Cookie with you so that he can get some exercise.

Boot Camp and Pilates start on Tuesday October 19 at the Club, and if you want to be a part of these you need to let me know ASAP so we can get all of the planning completed. Prices are as follows:

Boot Camp - Free for members (yes, the first Boot Camp is FREE!) and $265 for non members.

Boot Camp sessions will be Tuesday mornings 6am to 7am, Thursday evenings 6pm to 7pm and Saturday mornings 9am to 10am.

Pilates - Tuesday evenings 7pm $90 for EFM Members for the 9 week term, $135 for non members (check out prices elsewhere, you'll find our prices are fantastic, and our instructor Karen Binks is as good as they come)

As the weather gets warmer we need to remember that we are likely to get a bit hotter whilst exercising - so that leads me to two points:

Bring a towel to wipe down any equipment you use such as cardio machines, benches etc.

USE the towel! Seriously, it is pretty awful to go to use a bench that someone has dripped sweat on. Please respect other Club Members by cleaning as you go!

Don't forget to become a fan of EFM Health Clubs Geelong on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @EFMGeelong

Cheers

Matt

Goodness me!! Some of the things you hear make you wonder some days. One of the best excuses for not coming in to the Club was that someone wanted to 'get fit before they go to the gym'!!! That's like saying you want to clean the house before the cleaner comes, or do a grease and oil change before taking your car in for a service.

Why do people think this? Perhaps it's the Fitness Industry that is to blame - all that advertising with beautiful people sitting on an exercise bike, and looking meaninfully into the camera. It's just not real...I've even been guilty of that.

The majority of our members are over 40, so the chances of us having that sort of rock hard body at that stage of our lives, post babies especially, is not that high.

All I want is for someone to train to the best of their ability, be consistent with their attendance and the rest will look after itself.

I'm not saying that 40 year olds can't have an awesome body, but by that stage we realise that the body is a vehicle to get us through life, and we're looking for reliability not the wow factor.

The wow factor actually comes from within, the way you present yourself when you feel healthier and more confident.

How can damaging the muscle cells be good for you?

You know that feeling you get a day or two after a solid workout? The one that makes you not want to go back to the Club for another workout? It's actually a sign that your body is repairing itself after the thousands and thousands of micro-tears that exercise have caused.

For the first 12 to 24 hours after a workout, the muscles actually work very hard to maintain their integrity before giving in and repairing themselves. The exercise you do actually causes tiny tears in the muscle cells. It's the process of repairing the damage that causes your metabolism to be boosted.

A workout that incorporates some weight resistance work such as push ups, crunches, squats etc will cause more damage to your muscles generally than a cardio session, so is better value. You still need to get a cardiovascular workout in on a regular basis, but the long term benefits of resistance training are amazing.

Come and see me in the Club for more info on how to maximise your results

Kokoda Trek 2011

EFM Health Clubs Geelong and Kokoda Bros are combining to provide members, friends, family and Barwon Health staff with the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of heroes.

Departing in May 2011, we will be trekking the famous Kokoda Trail, site of heroic battles fought during World War II by Australian troops to repel an advance by the Japanese, intent on controlling the Pacific.

Experience first hand some of the challenges that our soldiers faced, and challenge yourself to complete the 96km trek over some of the most amazing terrain you will ever see.

The Trek includes 8 days/7 nights on the track, with flights, accomodation, transfers, trek meals, and a comprehensive training program.

If you want to see just how tough you are, just how far you can extend yourself, just what you are made of, contact me to express your interest.

I completed my first trek in 2009, and for me it was a life changing experience. I came back believing in myself fully for the first time in my life. No more doubts, just a can do attitude.

Random thoughts close to the weekend

Those who think that something can't be done should stay out of the way of those who think it can.