Times Colonist Health Club Challenge participants Ashleigh Triplett and Tania Bonfield recently faced off in a mock kickboxing workout at the Juan de Fuca Rec Centre on the West Shore. Both came away winners.
"It was really fun, really different," said Triplett, 28, the youngest of the five contestants in the second annual Health Club Challenge, which began nine weeks ago. "It was motivating to work with Tania, knowing she is working toward the same goals I am."
Triplett said it's typically her trainer who regularly kicks her butt - which works for her. But she's realistic about her objectives.
"I have tried not to be unrealistic and have really high goals just because I have a personal trainer," she said. "I'm losing on average two to three pounds a week - but some weeks it's nothing because I am building muscle. I remind myself that it took four to five years to put on this weight and I know it won't come off overnight - or in just 12 weeks."
The Times Colonist Health Club Challenge is a 12-week health and fitness package worth $3,000, consisting of initial testing, body measurements and fitness assessments by technicians at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence. Participants also met with dietitians to establish healthy eating regimens and were assigned to personal trainers to help with exercise routines. The challengers were even provided counselling to help with ongoing motivation.
Triplett said she plans to continue to use a personal trainer twice a week even after the 12-week challenge ends.
"I really can't afford it, but I can't afford not to [do it]," she said. "Training is now the highlight of my life."
Tania Bonfield also enjoyed working out with Triplett, welcoming the opportunity to spend time with a fellow contestant.
Kickboxing is one of a number of workouts Bonfield's trainer has introduced in her exercise regimen. "I get an awesome variety - it's always changing," said Bonfield, 38. "I just love my workouts now because they are never the same, even session to session."
The best part of every session is that her trainer will give her a folio of the workouts at the end, she said. The document explains the exercises performed, the muscle groups - legs, arms, back, etc. - involved and why.
"It's an approach that is easy to understand."
She said the documents serve as a template for her at-home workouts. She now approaches her three sessions a week with her trainer with extra gusto.
"I have always been a person with a lot of energy, but I'm unstoppable now," Bonfield said. "And it's not just physical strength. I feel mentally strong, too."
Like Triplett, Bonfield plans to continue her training after the conclusion of the 12-week challenge. "Being chosen for the Times Colonist Health Club Challenge has kick-started something in me," said Bonfield, who has dropped a few dress sizes.
"I don't want to go back to how I hurt - emotionally and physically - on Week 1.
"I want to invest in the future. I want to invest in my new life."
parrais@timescolonist.com
