personal training for six weeks, nutritional advice and an eating plan, an assessment including measurements, health screening and goal setting and an experience that will change her life!
Congratulations to Jill Elderton for winning the Eccentric COUCH POTATO 6 weeks Fitness challenge. Jill will be updating her progress and winning moments on our website. Stay tuned for her weekly blogg.
Jill Elderton
Week 6
Well week six came and flew by, probably because I was reluctant for the challenge to end.
This week saw me doing heavier weight work which I managed, oh! and having to do extra reps for giggling to much with Tracey, who I have met on my morning training sessions, she has been doing personal training for the same length of time as me so we would talk about how we are going etc.
So how have I found it? would I do it again? have I changed my life? YES, YES & YES!!!
I found it hard initially and then I really started to enjoy it, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
My life has changed in so many ways:
Just reading this list myself is mindblowing to me - hopefully other people who have struggled with their weight will read this and will be inspired to make the change, I can tell you I have tried every diet & health kick available through out my life and non has been successful like this.
So what happens now I hear you all say? Well I have signed up for a further 12 weeks personal training with Eccentric because I am not done yet, I have my own personal goals to achieve.
I would like to say a huge heartfelt thankyou to Latoya - you have been an inspiration to me; watching you train and the fact that you train so hard and live every day with type 1 diabetes is such in inspiration. Thank you for sending me emails to see how I was going - that really helped keep me on track, you always seemed to send them on the wobbly days so it was well timed. Thank you for supporting me when I thought I could not do it. Thank you for having eyes in the back of your head so I never gave up!! Most importantly, thank you for picking me to be the Couch potato - because of you I have turned my life around xxxxx
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Jill Elderton
Week 5
So this week was a blast - each week is getting better and I can feel it in how I recover after a hard session; I am now back to normal before I leave the gym whereas before I was a mess still when I got home 30 minutes later.
I am also more driven on where next with the excercise; I see the regulars who train the same time as me on the treadmills and running for a kilometre or 2 and think one day I am going to do that, I realise it will be a while yet (NO Latoya & Dave I do not need to do this tomorrow!!) but I will whereas old Jilly would have gone - he is crazy why would he do that? too much effort - I am glad to see this old Jilly has left the building!
Highlight of week 5:
At the end of the training sessions I have to stretch my legs out by extending my leg up in the air and push on Latoyas shoulder or Daves washboard stomach, my goal has always been to knock one of them over with the new found strength in my legs.............Dave hit the deck! It was great to see my strength being put to good use :-) Sadly Latoya has the strongest shoulders I have ever seen so I do not think I will knock her down!
So as week 6 looms, there is an air of sadness that the challenge is coming to an end, what will happen to the couch potato next? Stay tuned next week to find out!!!
Until then take care,
Catch potato signing out X
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Jill Elderton
Week 4
Measurements week!!!
So my blood pressure is the lowest it has been in 4 years and in the average range - Yay for once I am average!!
My resting heart rate continues to reduce and I am so looking forward to the day when its in the normal range too.
My average skin folds was in the thirtys two weeks ago and now it is 29!!!! So all measurements are headed in the right direction!
I have had to change my training times this week and so instead of hanging out with the fabulous Ms LT., I have been trained by Diamond, Dangerous Dave and Lethal Lui the newest member of the Eccentric Clan and he got that name for a reason - lethal stretches!
I am recovering quicker from my workouts and I love the variety each day brings and the way the trainers can modify and change my plan depending on my needs - this week I had been up with one of the kids in the night and so was very tired before even arriving at the gym, so they modified my session (and NO that does not mean making it easier or less of a workout), but they made it more bearable for me so that I still enjoyed the session.
Without a doubt my favourite excercise is the boxing - it is a great stress reliever and you are working out too!!
Everyone is saying how the weight is just dropping off me, I cannot see this myself but it is definately being reflected in my trousers getting looser and my gym shorts fall down if I do not tie them up.
The other gym attendees continue to motivate me, just seeing the amazing things they are able to do helps me get through that set I am struggling with.
As I get closer to week 6, I am worried that as the challenge will be officially over I may regress, but this is the time to think positive and say I am not going back to the way I was!!!!
Until next time,
Couch Potato signing out xx
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Jill Elderton
Week 3
7 CMS!!!!
I lost that amount off my waist in my assessment and I lost some off my "skin folds'' approximately 10%.
So I am naturally stoked and I feel even better now I can see physical results for all my hard work.
People are saying how much better I am looking and I am feeling better I cannot begin to explain how much better. I am also sleeping better than I have for years and then I wake up full of energy.
Highlights for the week - definately the boxing cardio session I had, it was hard work but boy it was great fun and a brilliant stress reliever smacking something hard as my gorgeous sparring partner discovered and loved too!
Yesterday, was circuit day and at the very beginning of the challenge Latoya (or La Torture as we affectionally know her!) said I would be able to do the circuit 3 times in one session and I laughed at her........................WELL I DID IT!!!
For the push ups part of the circuit I did 30 each time which means I did 90 Push ups - this couch potato could not manage two at the beginning and in 3 short weeks I can now do 90!!
The struggle I have had this week has been with my head; as people are commenting on how great I am looking, I get complacent and think I can eat that piece of chocolate cake then, so I have had to keep my food in check. If I deviate from my healthy eating, I can really feel it an instantly crave chocolate and cake, whereas if I stay on my new plan, I do not crave it at all as I am eating so well and my body sugars are stable whihc stops the craving.
So all in all a good week, no, a brilliant week I reckon!!
Instead of sitting reading about my challenge, its time you came and tried it yourself - if I can do it anyone can believe me!!!!
Until next time,
Couch Potato signing out xx
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Jill Elderton
Week 2
What a difference a week makes!!
Last week in moments of dispair I asked Latoya will it get easier ??and she said that my recovery would be quicker and she was right!
Monday of this week I coped with my workout, no it was not a walk in the park but I did not feel exhausted for the rest of the afternoon I was fine.
In week 1,I did a circuit and struggled to do the circuit twice - week 2 I did the circuit 2.5 times I am looking forward to getting to doing 3 circuits.
The major moment for me this week was running on the treadmill - yes running - I was very proud of myself.
I also trained with Dave the other trainer in the gym and he like Latoya was a gem, both trainers are very patient with me and when I say I can't do it - they tell me I can and stay with me until I do and I feel so proud of myself that I did it and so grateful that someone helped me through it.
Whilst I trained with Dave, Latoya was working out herself this time, so it was nice to see my trainer working up a sweat and to see that everyone pushes themselves no matter how fit you are.
I also have to say that the other people training about me have helped motivate me, when I am struggling I only have to look around and watch what the others are doing and how they are pushing themselves and I think I have no cause for complaint as they are doing so much more than me and that, I find helps me finish my set.
Eating wise I am amazed how I have gone 2 weeks straight without chocolate & coke - in my previous life, I was lucky to go 2 hours without chocolate!! I can have chocolate on my rewards day if I want, however last weekend when I had a special treat, I felt sick bloated and my psoriasis flared up and it was bleeding. I am also amazed how easy it has been to say no to tempting fatty foods because I am not hungry.
Friday is measuring day, I am nervous as I do not know what to expect and wonder if I will see any loss at all, I know I have worked my butt off, not to mention my core so we will see what measuring day brings......................
Until next time,
Couch Potato signing out xx
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Jill Elderton
Week 1
Well I would be stupid to think my first week was going to be easy!
Day 1
I was so nervous all day before my first session but when I got there Latoya really helped me through it and I was not self concious about doing the excercises etc.
I am not going to lie and say it was a breeze because it was not, but when I felt like giving up and laying down, Latoya was there, if my technique was not correct she fixed it straight away. she also was there to tell me what excercise to do next and counted it out for me as my brain started to go to jelly, just like every muscle in my body!
I have to say the hour passed by so quickly. What impressed me from the first session is that Latoya had taken a lot of time and effort to set a programme for me that protected my old injury from re-occuring. 12 months ago I had a disc protrude in my back and the excercises she has chosen for me support my disc at all times which was a significant concern for me.
My first session consisted of core strength excercises which are particularly important to me to strengthen my back and cardio excercises - cardio is what I struggle with the most, I do not cope well with or enjoy being out of breath but Latoya and all the people in my office who work out say it gets better, so I am REALLY looking forward to it getting better.
Day 2
Not feeling too sore, not as sore as I expected and looking forward to my second session. A friend from work has joined me and is going to train with me three times a week and we are supporting and motivating each other. Colleagues at work have been great supporting me too asking how I am going and I know I am going to rely on that support on the dark days so get ready guys!
Special mention this week to Carol from my team who brought me a buffet of salads for Melbourne Cup day as she knew that I would not be able to eat the buffet put on for lunch in the office. Special mention also John; In our office complex in Majura Park is a new restaurant that opened recently called CheckerPlate. The owner John is making me the yummiest salads with the right mix of protein and carbohydrate, on my lazy days he is my saviour as I do not have to prep my lunch and we all know how much yummier food someone else has made tastes.
Thanks Carol & John.
Day 3
Not feeling great today, I am sore and feel weak inside and yes its only day 3 so its early days but I am questioning can I do this? I can honestly say that personal training is worth its weight in gold because if I did not have Latoya there as my conscience and was just turning up at the gym to go through sets of various excercises - I would have not gone today.
I did go and Latoya had another really great and varied session, today was a circuit. Variety definately keep it interesting, I am looking forward to the day when I can put on the boxing gloves and punch the pads with all my might - perhaps I will save that for a day when I am grumpy and take it out on the pads!!
The hard part for me today was the treadmill - 15 minutes and by the end I was dying but I would liken excercise to childbirth, in that its really hardwork but once its done you forget how hard it was and you are proud of what you have achieved.
Foodwise, I have not been hungry at all yet as I always seem to be eating and I have managed to cut out carbs of my dinner which I thought would be a big issue as I was in my previous life a carb loader, I am not very creative with my foods so if anyone can suggest quick, easy recipes as I soo cannot cook to ensure I do not bored in the future, I would be so grateful.
Lifestyle change #1
Today I filled up my car with petrol after my session at Eccentric. Normally I would buy a couple of chocolate bars, I was in the line surrounded by chocolate, a little devil on my shoulder saying one little bar will not hurt you and an angel saying rewards day is Sunday. What to do?
I did give in and made a purchase.........a Banana!! I was amazed at myself that I did it - I am proud of myself as if I can turn away from the choccie food once, I can do it again. This was just what I needed to motivate me for tomorrow, tomorrow is my last session with Eccentric this week as I am on a course and I can honestly say I am so glad as I know I would have struggled.
The interesting outcome for me from week 1 is that I have psoriasis that is on my arms and very sore and this has has started to fade and is not sore at all, which would suggest something in my old diet was affecting it - amazing, getting fitter and getting rid of my sore arms!!
Until next week.
Take care
Couch Potato signing out x
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Jill Elderton
Firstly, Hello, I am Eccentric Fitness's first couch potoato, Jill.
I am 35 years old and work full time in Majura Park, I am really looking forward to sharing my journey with you all over the next 6 weeks. Thursday was my first trip to Eccentric to meet Latoya for my assessment. I was quite nervouse because firstly I will have to be measured and also I am really worried that I am not going to be able to do this, even though I really want to do this- that is why I entered.
When I walked in I was greeted by Dave and I said I am your Couch Potato and he was pleased to see me and was very friendly and what I loved was that he did not look me up & down like has occurred in other gyms. Then I met Latoya and she was lovely and I felt very comfortable with her straight away.
The sobering and scary part of the assessment was when my resting heart rate was tested, average resting rate is 60-80 beats per minute, mine is 106!! This means my heart is working extra hard, my father died young of a heart attack so now is the time to ensure history does not repeat itself.
I then sat down with Latoya to go through my goals;
- be healthier for my 2 young boys,
- use excercise to help reduce my stress levels and become healthier,
- At the end of the six weeks I want to go an buy a pretty dress as I do not possess one as dress shopping with a big belly, chunky knees and arms never ends well.
So we discussed what I think will stop my achieving my goals:
- Not being organised with my food
- Not able to fight temptation - at my work there is a fantastic buffet of choccie bars for sale which is currently my lunch each day!!
- I am scared of excercise - this could be a problem !!!
So Latoya then discussed how I can combat these 3 issue which can be done:
- Plan in my diary each week what I am going to eat and as I am busy getting my boys to daycare in the morning so need to prepare my food the night before.
- Put a big sign on the work Chocolate drawers to deter me eating it.
- Latoya is going to ease me into excercise (please ;-))
The eating plan I am going to follow is a low GI plan and in essence it looks totally achievable, I have to make sure I am eating at certain times and drink lots of water. So I am psyched that I can do this - I am sure I am going to struggle particluarly as I eat so much chocolate as a quick fix when I forget or get to busy to eat, but I will keep you all posted on as the weeks roll by.
Latoya took my measurements including my fat rolls and I have not seen them and will look at them in two weeks time to see if there is a reduction, so I am excited to see how that will work. Interestingly enough she did not weigh me which is what all of my other failed diets have centred around.
So I am all set to turn my life around first session is on Monday, I am spening the weekend menu planning ready for Monday
Hope to see you all in the gym, please come say hi.
Couch potato signing out x