This a page for those who back up the talking with a whole lotta walking. For those who put their money where their mouth is. And then tie that money to their shoes while their walking to DOUBLY back up their talking.
In short, these are the people doing the Bio-Synergy 12 WEEK CHALLENGE in conjunction with some expert advice FamouslyFit.com. A sturdy and intrepid group signed up with us to receive the full range of supplements from Bio-Synergy, along with a personalised training regime from elite personal trainer Cengiz Halabi and a steady stream of advice from health and fitness guru Ann Mather. This group, hand-picked by the knowledgeable team here at Bio-Synergy, were to be transformed from a rag-tag group of loveable misfits into a powerhouse stable of lean, mean health machines.
We’ll be keeping you updated with their progress here on the blog, so check in regularly to read their stories of triumph, perseverance and the road to good health. But, without further ado, check out the all-star selection of the 12-week challengers!
Joanna Barrett
I have had 3 children in 4 years and put on about 4 stone in weight! However, my youngest is now a year old and since January this year I have lost 4 stone following my own diet and exercise regime. However, I have found it hard to keep losing – my arms, shoulders and back are quite well toned but my tummy, hips, bum and thighs are still wobbly. I do have some cellulite on my bum and thighs and I am naturally pear-shaped. I am looking to really tone up everywhere but in particular my waist down. I would like a defined and muscley physique, without bulking up too much. But I am also looking to lose the remaining fat which you can see from the photos!
I am looking to increase my strength to progress in pole dancing but I also enjoy ballet fitness and zumba dance class. I jog 3.65 miles twice a week and do two resistance workouts. I also have a horse called Parsley whom I ride once a week.
I have a severed cruciate ligament in my right knee which means I cannot do really high impact sport but I can jog. I have been trying to build my muscles up around the area which has helped. From having the children, my skin around my tummy/bust area is not what it used to be!
Sarah Hunter
My partner & I run our own business and I do all the office based work, paperwork, payroll, accounts etc so I sit at my desk working on my computer for 80% of my day. I do cycle to and from work occasionally and walk to school with my son.
I am in very good health and manage to fit in as much fitness as my family/business commitments will allow, we are an outdoors family. I have completed six ½ marathons over the last 4 years and 2 x 100 mile cycle rides for charity and my next challenge – if I can find an event – would be a duathlon or triathlon.
My lifestyle involves plenty of activity as my youngest is a 9 year old boy! But I do like to socialize with my friends, having a drink and eating.
I like my body shape overall but there is room for improvement especially around the thigh, bum and tummy area. I would love to sport a six pack and I’m sure under my tummy there is one waiting to get out. I would generally like to have a well balanced body shape.
Lucy Wilkin
My name is Lucy Wilkin and I am an associate Lecturer in outdoor leisure at Bicton College in Devon. I am also studying for my degree in outdoor leisure management. You may think that with such an active job I should have no problem with my weight however, you would be wrong. Ever since I became pregnant with my daughter (who is now 7) I have struggled to reach and maintain a healthy weight. I have tried all sorts of diets, training regimes, gadgets and gismos and this is my last chance saloon! Although I have managed to lose over 4 stone (was 16 and a half stone at my heaviest) I still have the last 20 lbs to go.
Dominic
I have been training on and off for the last 10 years but for the last 3 to 4 years it has been more off than on. When I was at university 6 years ago I had plenty of time to get into the gym and I was at my ideal size and weight (much heavier than I am now and smaller waist, bigger chest etc). I then worked away for 4 years and found it really difficult to get to a gym and be able to stick to a proper training routine. Over the last 2 years I have gotten into triathlons, half marathons and recently a marathon so have worked on my cardio on and off (but even that has been sporadic), I have struggled to get back into and stick to a gym routine. I want to get back to where I was six years ago or in even better shape and hope this 12 week challenge will help me achieve this.
Carla
I’m built for comfort, not for speed.
That was always my motto, but then I started running, originally to raise money for the Meningitis Trust but then just because I liked it. To give you an idea of my fitness background I was sporty at school (wasn’t everyone) and since leaving have sporadically joined the gym, taken up cycling/walking/spinning but never really stuck at anything, until I started running. I have been running since January and now can’t imagine not doing it. I was a size 22 when I started in January and have slowly lost a stone in weight and gone down to a size 18 over the last 9 months.
Now I run, I want to run faster, and stronger and for longer and I have realised I cannot do that at the weight I am – I will be running the London Marathon in April 2012, so when the opportunity came up to try these great products AND get nutrition and training advice I jumped at the chance.
My aim over the next 12 weeks is to DROP weight, GAIN SPEED and ultimately set myself up for training so that I can complete the Marathon in one piece and in under 5 and a half hours (that’s what I am telling you but secretly I am hoping for 4 hours something…).
Kerry Millar
Hi, my name is Kerry Millar – I’m 28 and a mum of 2 and also a part time student. I was always overweight as a teenager and in my early 20s.
One day, someone close to me said, ‘Where do you get all the weight from when you don’t eat so much?’ Something inside my just clicked and I started to eat healthy and walk alot more. I went from a size 16 to a 10 in about 9 months, and then I got pregnant for the second time but still managed to walk alot. I only put on a stone, but over the past few years my weight has been going up and down like a yo-yo! I am supposed to be on week 3 or 4 of this challenge but am starting today at week 2 as I haven’t been well recently and have put on weight again but I’m determined to start again from today even though I’m still trying to find out what is wrong with me. Comments are welcome, as are any tips to keep me motivated! 
Russ Dean
Hi I’m Russ, aged 22 and somewhat of a lazy sod.
I’ve always wanted to be bigger than I currently am and with it a toned body would be nice – though putting weight on has always been a problem, and I always blamed my height for that (6’4). Since going to Uni just over 3 years ago, I lost all motivation to do any type of fitness and now I’m paying for it. From being able to run miles, I now struggle to run the shop and that has to change….
I’m hoping to gain so much from the 12 week challenge, with the key aims of putting muscle mass onto my arms and chest area whilst also working on my stamina. Educating myself on what to eat, how to train and how to reach my goals WILL be what I get from this.
Nadine
My name is Nadine and I’m a medic in the Royal Air Force. My life is centred around telling people to live a healthy lifestyle and maintain a good weight – it’s a shame I don’t practise this myself.
For the last 8 years my weight has gone dramatically up and down and I’m an all or nothing girl – meaning I either do far too much or nothing at all.
I’m hoping this 12 week challenge will re-educate me and help make changes in my lifestyle – not just for now but forever. I’m sick of living in stretchy clothing and miss terribly the clothes in my wardrobe that don’t fit me anymore.
Wish me luck! I think I need it.
Sharon
Hello, I’m Sharon. I’m 37 and married with a 8-month old little boy. As a teenager I was overweight and I managed to slim down after following a very strict eating regime which I put together myself. Over the years the weight has slowly crept back on and I decided after having our son I was going to do my best to lose weight and become fitter so that I am able to run around after him more easily when he is a toddler! I managed to lose 20lbs on my own prior to starting the challenge by eating healthy, walking regularly with the pram, and going swimming. I’m hoping the 12 week challenge will give me an extra boost to reach my goals, I have completed my first week and lost 5lbs so I’m keeping everything crossed that I get those kind of results every week!
I look forward to sharing my progress with you all!
Hi guys, how is everyone doing? I have been sick these past 3 weeks and so has most of the family, (mine’s ongoing though) so I haven’t been able to stick to the challenge, although I also see that some other challengers have been sick and have been able to stick to it which is brillant! I have put on weight
I’m looking for some tips and motivation advice for when I’m feeling really low if you have any? I’m starting my challenge today so really determined it;s going to work this time.
Hi Kerry, I’ve been ill too and the only piece of advice I can give you is to not see the challenge as black or white. If you can’t do the training one day because you aren’t feeling well than do what you can do and no more. If you slip up and eat something that you shouldn’t have, don’t stress about it and just try and make the next meal or snack a healthy one. Just because you eat a donut or miss a training session doesn’t mean you should give up the whole challenge. Just do what you can do when you can do it. The more you tell yourself off the less you will want to do. Baby steps, thats my advice. Peter Cohen (weightlossguru) told me at the good health show that insanity is doing something you have always done and expecting something different. Make the little changes and they will all add together to give you a different outcome. Good luck Kerry
I only started the challenge last Monday as I had problems with receiving all my required supplements. I am pleased to have lost 5lb in my first week though and am hoping that it’s the start of things to come.
Hopefully you will start to feel better now and can restart the challenge with a fresh head on and put the past three weeks behind you. Good luck Kerry!
It sounds like we’ve all had our challenges – I have an injury that has prevented me training for the last week too. I agree with Lucy – sometimes we get ourselves into a rut mentally where if we have one ‘bad’ meal we think we might as well give up as we have ruined the whole thing. In all honesty I have probably only been, at my best, following the plan 80% but I’ve still had results. So, do what you can, don’t beat yourself up about what you can’t do and get better soon!
I too have had an injury which occured in the first week of the Challenge (I have blogged about it) but my motto is to persevere it will be worth it in the long run. If you do fall of the wagon dust yourself down and climb straight back on we all have our moments so don’t beat yourself up about it! Keep blogging for moral support!