The 12-week swimsuit challenge

BEING a certified personal trainer and nutritionist isn’t the easiest job. It has its ups and downs, good times and bad, long hours, working with various personalities, injuries and ailments. However, just like any other profession, it can be very rewarding. And in this case, rewarding isn’t even the correct adjective to describe how proud I was of the hard work my clients put in to achieve their goals. As their trainer, I’m beaming from ear to ear!

It started as a simple weight loss session for a few hardworking women who have been training on and off with me. This year was no different in terms of everyone getting back into the gym, wanting to lose a few pounds, and to feel good about themselves. As they outlined to me, they needed miracles to be worked in order to get them the bodies they so desire.

I decided to make it interesting and turn up the heat a few degrees. I suggested a challenge, but not just any challenge. Since summer was just around the corner, I thought up a bikini swimsuit challenge.

The next step was to suggest my bright idea to my clients to see if they would go for it. So with butterflies in my stomach, I made my big announcement.

To my surprise, it was well received, and everyone was excited to have me mould and sculpt them to fit that two-piece swimwear.

Getting started

1. I made sure each individual was equipped with a personalised nutrition plan

2. We took before and after pics

3. We did a body analysis ( measurements, body fat and BMI)

4. I gave daily tips regarding the importance of nutrition

5. I designed a training programme for each individual

I had to make it interesting since I was working with very competitive women, and I had to sweeten the deal to make it worth their while. At the end of the challenge, there would be a makeover by Racquel Moss-Solomon and photoshoot on the beach in swimwear.

The winner would be determined by weight loss, body fat and BMI reduction; first, second and third-place winners would get a trophy and various prizes and surprises.

I created a WhatsApp group chat for everyone in the challenge. It was used to motivate, encourage and challenge each other and share useful tips on a daily basis.

They then came up with the phrase, “Train insane or remain the same”. They worked hard and had fun.

To keep it fun and interesting along the way, every week, there were small challenges like a weight loss challenge, fitness challenge or an exercise challenge from which the winners were rewarded with useful tokens.

That was my way of giving back to them for trusting me with their fitness goals, and their hard work, commitment, dedication and discipline in achieving their goals.

I had a total of 12 women who started the challenge, and I’m proud to say I ended with all 12 working hard at achieving their goals. Not everyone got to their ideal goal; however, they all stuck to the programme and are still on their journey.

These women are of different ages, they all have various body types, various injuries, work and family, yet they were determined to work hard at the challenges I had set out for them.

Tips

Before starting your weight loss programme:

– See your physician first.

– Seek out your health club.

– Decide if you can go at it alone or if you will need assistance.

– Engage the services of a certified personal trainer to get you started.

– If necessary, seek the assistance of a nutritionist.

– Document your journey.

– Take pictures as you progress.

– Never reward your progress with food.

Starting a weight loss programme is never easy; however, once you get started you will notice the health benefits. You will have more confidence, more energy, sleep better, less stress while increasing longevity, and you will enjoy being active and sharing fun times with your children and family.

Start with simple changes in your nutrition, add an activity at least 30 minutes per day, and then gradually increase as you feel you are able to do more.

Meloney A Martin is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist at Spartan Health Club. E-mail her at mhnc2005@gmail.com.