The metamorphosis has begun. I feel like I should be wearing a T-shirt that says: “Under construction.”
The first two weeks of the eight-week fitness challenge between yours truly and curling legend Randy Ferbey is in the books.
I’ve dubbed this Darwinian challenge “Survival of the Fittest.”
And the fittest will be the one who can maintain (or build) the most muscle and lose the most bodyfat. We’re both following the exercise and nutrition principles laid out in celeb fitness guru Mark Macdonald‘s New York Times bestseller, Body Confidence.
And although it’s set for eight weeks, this is merely the beginning of what is designed as a lifelong journey.
The changes have been incremental through these first two weeks because this ain’t no sprint — it’s a marathon! Let me say it again: this is for life!
Sure, I’m down about five pounds. But more importantly, I’ve been making some small lifestyle habits that are slowly adding up and I’m already feeling the shift.
Brettany Sorokowsky of The Blood Sugar Stabilization Clinic has been working with me on nutrition, while Kelly Hanscom of the Core Fitness team has been putting me through some kick-butt workouts at Athletes Nation in St. Albert.
The key now is to continue to build on this early momentum. I’ve celebrated some small victories along the way and I’m intent on enjoying the journey, but my sights are firmly set on achieving my longer-term fitness goals. That vision is now what drives me. It’s top of mind when I get up in the morning, it stays with me all day and it’s still there when I go to bed at night.
Yup, methinks Ferbey is in tough.
Of course, he’s a world champ. And you can bet he’s got an ultra-competitive side to him.
But he also has a household name and a recognizable face, which means all the pressure is on him to beat me.
Don’t feel bad for Ferbey, though. He’s got Shari Reiniger of Fuel 2 Perform in his corner. And Hanscom is also making him sweat at Athletes Nation. Plus, Ferbey’s friend Jason Rimmer has joined him for moral support.
Indeed, it’s going to be an epic battle.
But like I said before, this isn’t just about Castagna and Ferbey. This is so much more. Our greatest hope out of all of this is to inspire others to take control of their lives.
We want to inspire YOU!
And if you’ve answered the challenge, we want to hear from you. Tell us how you’re doing. What are your struggles? What are you doing to overcome them?
C’mon, we’re all in this together! Let’s build a community, so we can build each other up to ultimately live healthier and happier lives!
You are welcome to comment below, find me on Facebook and Twitter, or email me at cary.castagna@sunmedia.ca.
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Here are some pics from the challenge so far:
Sharing a laugh with celeb fitness guru Mark Macdonald while getting his book signed after a bodyweight workout at Athletes Nation. (Photo by Mackenzie McLeod)
Look, custom-designed water bottles for the eight-week challenge! Emblazoned with the “Eight to Life” motto, the bottles are courtesy The Blood Sugar Stabilization Clinic, Core Fitness and Fuel 2 Perform.
The dreaded weigh-in. Trainer Kelly Hanscom weighs me at Athletes Nation in St. Albert. (Photo by Brettany Sorokowsky)
Yours truly is ready to rock! (Photo by Brettany Sorokowsky)
Randy Ferbey, left, and his pal, Jason Rimmer, perform planks on the turf at Athletes Nation as part of the initial assessment, while trainer Kelly Hanscom looks on. (Photo by Shari Reiniger)
Does this wall sit make me look fat? Who knew this part of the initial assessment would be so unflattering? Nevertheless, trainer Kelly Hanscom was impressed with the muscular endurance in my powerful legs. (Photo by Shari Reiniger)
Randy Ferbey pumps the pedals and proves his mettle during the stationary bike portion of the initial assessment. (Photo by Shari Reiniger)
Randy Ferbey, left, shows celeb fitness guru Mark Macdonald how a world curling champ does it. The two got together prior to the challenge at the Sherwood Park Curling Club. (Photo by Shari Reiniger)
Trainer Kelly Hanscom, right, puts the ‘fun’ in functional training during one of our first gruelling workouts at Athletes Nation in St. Albert. (Photo by Megan Lalor)
Time for a breather. But as is evident by my protruding paunch, I’ve got lots of work to do in the coming weeks and months. (Photo by Megan Lalor)
Jarred Berndt, my other trainer at Athletes Nation and the inspiration behind my new haircut, is all smiles after our first kick-butt session together. I, on the other hand, am sporting more of a deer-in-the-headlights look. (Photo by Aaron Kilian, manager of Core Fitness at Athletes Nation)
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Hanscom, Berndt, Reiniger and Sorokowsky are all available to help you achieve your health and fitness goals.
Call Athletes Nation at 780-458-3700 to reach Hanscom and Berndt, or email them at khanscom@athletesnation.com or jberndt@athletesnation.com.
Sorokowsky is available on her cell at 780-914-5411 or via email at Brettany@balancedbloodsugar.com, while Reiniger is at 780-918-8809 or shari.reiniger@venicenutrition.com.
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For more on Mark Macdonald, check out the following columns I’ve written:
• Fit inside and out (April 2013)
• A defined balance (November 2012)
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Website:http://www.edmontonsun.com/author/cary-castagna
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http://www.facebook.com/pages/Keeping-Fit-with-Cary-Castagna/106367266730
