Know what I love about life?

People. Yep, what I love about life is people. I love the vibrant kaleidoscope and un-scripted higgeldy-piggeldy of the meeting and sometimes clashing of various people's lives; especially when they unexpectedly touch mine.

Tonight, I looked around the room in my gym class and briefly wondered what everyone's story was.
The woman who stands well over 6 foot tall.
The one other male in the class brave enough to face an army of focused oestrogen.
The girl behind me, toughing out two classes in a row, on what I think may have been only her first or second time...
The woman with the stick-like figure tattoo on her forearm, a red heart in a thought bubble, that had me curious in previous classes.....

After the class, the girl with the red heart tattoo came over and said hi. We got to chatting. And wow, talk about giving someone a reality check and a sense of real perspective!

Elle, a young woman with a warm smile, showed me a photo of her 6 month old son. Quite unprompted, she shared with me how just a few years ago, she went through a traumatic time in her life - diagnosed with malignant cancer of the brain.

This touched home for me, having never, ever forgotten my time on the neuro ward at Monash hospital as a trainee medic.

Yet Elle spoke with no self-pity, nor, conversely, any sense of great achievement having beaten the cancer. She told me her story matter of factly, and shared her biggest smile when talking of her loving husband and joyful son, saying they were a true gift of life, being told she'd never have children. And she shared with me how even she sometimes forgot to live each day to the fullest.

She showed me the lump on her head, and with her expansive smile, touched on the various wigs she used and grew to enjoy. Told me of the 50 staples in the scalp she was subjected to. In case you're wondering, I did tell her that I would speak of her on my blog tonight, so I am sharing this with her consent.

She added clarity to what I'm about to do. In the grand scheme of things, what I'm about to do is not much. Let's face it. I'm trying to traverse a 963km hiking trail a bit quicker than the last bloke. Big deal!

This young woman has survived malignant brain cancer. And the thing is, every single person I meet has an interesting story to tell.

Every. Single. One.

So here's the thing. Realise you're the lead actor/actress in your own screen play, no, your own hit movie. Play the part to your utmost! Your life matters. It counts. You never know when your experience is going to positively affect someone else. I often wonder if my life ever really makes a dfference. The vast majority of the time, I reckon it doesn't. Maybe that's what drives me. I'm really not entirely sure. But every once in a blue moon someone tells me something I've done or said positively affected them. To me, that's what matters.

Live each day fully. Love totally, as unconditionally and as untouched by past grievances as you can. Reach out to someone. Anyone. Connect.

In a gym class, where each person has their own space, everyone facing forward, every move scripted to music, a young woman reached out and for whatever reason, connected with me. Something I truly appreciate.

Couldn't have come at a better time. Just found out today that two blokes are setting out the same time I am, planning to do the track in just 10 days.

Disheartening? A little. Challenging? You betcha! But at the end of the day, it doesn't really count for much. The fate of the world doesn't rest in my hands. Perspective. It's a wonderful thing. So I'll simply enjoy the journey.

Live life to the fullest. Many people think I'm nuts doing this, particularly unsupported. But when is it ever truly unsupported? I have a million thoughts, experiences, and connections with people like Elle to draw on, to support me.

My motto in life is:

Don't die wondering.

I continue to make decisions almost daily based on that motto. With less than 5 weeks to go until I set out, I'm definitely wondering if I've got what it takes. But in less than 7 weeks I'm going to know the answer to that question. Come along for the ride, and share the journey with me.

Double marathon training run.....

Monday's report.

By foot, it is 87.47km from Quinns Rocks to the Rockingham train station.

A little short from the 113km planned - certainly didn't get to Mandurah, but still, happy with today.

I started out just after 4am - on only 3 hours sleep! Eek!

I ran the first marathon, then had a sleep under a tree. Intended to take two hours, but due to flies annoying me, managed a broken hour.

I came across a hiking gear store, and spent half an hour in there discussing various items of equipment - of greatest interest is a new pack, as, over distance, mine rubs my lower back painfully raw. Furthermore, upon getting home I discovered I also had grazes further up my back.

A great shower and some moisturiser later - and it still stings. hehe

However, the positives to come out of today:

I have discovered that the principles of hiking in boots, namely, a thin pair of cotton socks inside a thicker pair of socks means no blisters, also applies in running shoes! I've been rather uncharacteristically struggling with blisters of late, but am happy to report not a single blister today!

Furthermore, I am gaining ever-increasing confidence in my supplement blend as far as nutrition for the track goes.

I also 'discovered', right next to the Freo Bridge, a little cove for swimming in. Cool place - will definitely have to spend some time there.

Oh yeah. So, including the hour's sleep, the half hour in the store, and a few nutrition stops, it took 12 hours and 18 minutes. Not exactly record-breaking, and certainly not terrain like I'll be experiencing, but a decent training session nonetheless. Will keep you posted on the rest of the week's training days!

A great day

Well, my birthday yesterday was fantastic! Had an excellent time at the gym first thing in the morning, with a class and a weights session.

Came home, had some breakfast, then grabbed my pack with my kayak in it (20kg all up), and walked 31km to the Swan River in the city. Along the way, I came across something that made me extremely angry. Wanneroo Road is a very busy road. At one point, there's an overpass so that people can cross the road safely. A woman was so lazy that rather than walk up the ramp and across the overpass, she decided to take her chances with traffic crossing the road. Which, in and of itself, isn't what made me angry. What made me angry was that this lazy, lazy woman took that chance whilst pushing a pram with a baby in it. I simply couldn't believe it. What is wrong with some people? How lazy do you have to be to risk the life of a baby in order to avoid walking a few extra metres up a ramp? I let her know she should think twice about doing such a foolish thing again.

Anyway, when I got to the river, I looked at a map and discovered the Swan Valley - my intended destination - was a good 4 hours paddle at least; a lot longer in an inflatable, so I decided to just paddle around the city area. Note to self - research intended journeys thoroughly prior to setting out!

I unpacked my kayak (after taking my shoes and socks off!), but couldn't find the bung. Figured I'd left it at home and just started laughing. Was just about to pack it back up again, when I saw it on the grass. Good to go.

So I spent a good couple of hours on the water. My shoulders were already sore from carrying the pack more than 30km, but it was good to give my feet a break.

After that I lounged on the river bank in the setting sun for half an hour, allowing my kayak to dry out a bit before packing it away. Was nice to just relax a bit.

From there I did another 9km, including a bunch of stairs. Got to my friends' place and enjoyed a few red wines. All in all, a great day.

33 today!

It's my 33rd birthday today. And I have a great day planned. After indulging at my party on the weekend - well, ok, pretty much all weekend - I have a very healthy birthday on the cards.

6am, Body Balance.

7am, weights session

8am, come home, pick up my inflatable kayak (15kg), and walk to the city (27km). Paddle a couple of hours up the Swan River to the Swan Valley. Enjoy a nice meal. Paddle back to the city.

Late afternoon/early evening, King's Park/Jacob's Ladder for a workout, then spend the evening with friends.

Tomorrow morning, walk the 30km home with my kayak.

Gonna be great!!!! Man, I gotta tell ya, I wouldn't swap my 30's for my 20's for anything! Life is just so much more enjoyable when fit and healthy!

Yes, this means I didn't end doing my walk/kayak yesterday. I thought it would be much more enjoyable on my actual birthday, so just did a light 17km run, with a swim at the beach thrown in. Pretty relaxing day yesterday, actually. Went and saw the movie 'Limitless'. Was fantastic - highly recommend it. A very unique concept about a man who discovers a drug that allows him to unlock all areas of his brain. I won't spoil it, but it's definitely worth seeing. Anyway, I'm off to the gym. Have a great day - I know I sure will!

Training with a difference

Well, it's been several days since my last post, so I thought it about time I get back to it. Today I want to talk about training with a difference.

What exactly do I mean? Well, we all know the standard training methods - gym, pool, classes, home gyms/treadmills etc, running, cycling, organised sport.

These are all fantastic ways to increase health and fitness, as well as lose weight for those wishing to do so.

But you don't have to fork out money for gym memberships or equipment to train, and changing up your training, doing something different, does two things:

It keeps your motivation and enjoyment levels high, and
It keeps your body guessing, thus maximising the benefits of training.

Let me share some of my own examples.

Last week I went out hiking on the Bibbulmun Track for two days, covering some challenging terrain in high heat.

Hiking is a brilliant way to cross train - every regular hiker I know is lean and fit. It works two of the three areas of fitness - endurance and strength, and often even balance!

But you don't even have to spend all day hiking to enjoy the benefits. Getting out in nature for even just a couple of hours allows you to relax, enjoy your beautiful surrounds, open your lungs to fresh, clean air, soak up a bit of vitamin D (be sun-smart though), give your body a good workout, and just have fun.

Some people, like me, like to challenge themselves on the trail. How far can I get today? How quickly can I complete the next section? Can I wear different shoes and still maintain the same pace? (Incidentally, the answer to this is no! Last week's hike I wore my Vibram Five Fingers. Brilliant, brilliant shoes for running - not for hiking in rough terrain though! I met a fellow hiker on the trail, and after a day and a half hiking in these shoes, I simply couldn't keep up with his pace due to pain in my feet).

So anyway, hiking is a brilliant way to train differently. Another thing I've only done a few times is rogaining. Rogaining again takes you outdoors - it's similiar to orienteering.

However, you have a set time and a map, and you have to collect as many points as you can by navigating to various co-ordinates before being back at the start in the designated time. These are usually 6, 12, or 24 hour events. For something a little less taxing, try urban orienteering - usually only goes for an hour or two, and it's in various suburbs each week whilst the competition is on. And again, they have easy, medium and hard options.

A really fun way to stay fit, and if you're doing it with a partner or in a team, it's a great way to spend some time with that person/people. If you're having trouble picturing what's involved, think Amazing Race minus the wacky challenges.

Another thing I enjoy doing is just putting my ipod on and running parallel to the train line. That way I can get as far as I feel like going, and just jump on the train home.

Today, after going to the gym, I will be putting my inflatable kayak on my back (about 15kg), walking to the city (27km), blowing up my kayak and paddling up the Swan River to the Swan Valley, where I'll enjoy a nice meal before turning around and coming back.

Other ways of training differently -

Go swimming at the beach. Fighting a few waves is always good for a complete body workout.

Indoor rockclimbing; you don't need any experience to get along and have some fun whilst challenging yourself. For some, it's also a great way to overcome a fear of heights in a very safe and controlled environment.

Go to a waterpark! How much fun can you possibly have whilst doing a cardio (swimming) and strength (climbing stairs etc) workout?

Find a friend and have a game of squash or tennis. Or kick a ball around a park, or shoot some hoops on a local basketball court.

Go mountain biking. Very few things work the entire body - and mind - like proper mountain biking, having to maintain control of the bike whilst navigating some interesting terrain.

Go dancing. Find a style you enjoy, and take some dance classes. It's great fun, and really good exercise at the same time. And guys, women usually appreciate a man who can dance!

Go kayaking. Fantastic upperbody workout, and a really different way of spending some time on the water.

Go for a big walk. Take a day out of your busy life, and just walk. Here's what I like doing. I like thinking to myself that I'd enjoy a nice glass of wine or pint of beer at the end of the day - so I'll have in mind a pub I know is going to take me all day to get to. For instance, from Joondalup it's a fantastic walk to Fremantle along the coast.

Head down Ocean Reef Road, and walk along the brilliant paths along the coast. And along the beach itself once I reach it. Stop for a swim wherever I feel like, and when arriving at places like Hilary's and Cottesloe, enjoying a cool drink or lunch in a great place. And upon arriving at the preferred pub, seeing the looks on people's faces when they find out where you've walked from. Priceless!

So at the end of the day, what I'm saying is that even if, like me, you deep down don't really like the gym, it doesn't mean you can't exercise effectively. And for those who do enjoy the gym, these are some ways to increase the benefits of the training you already do.

People often ask me what my training regime is. It's both a simple and difficult question to answer.

Basically, I don't have one. I train however I feel like on the day. I tend to go to the gym a few times a week, but then again, not always. I run - a lot! - but again, not always. And when I run, I run varying distances; no set pattern. If I'm struggling a bit, I'll only do 10km, or sometimes even just 5. If I'm feeling good, I'll run to the city and back, or around Lake Joondalup once or twice. I enjoy classes at the gym, particularly Wednesdays, when I'll often do Combat/Pump/Balance back to back. I'm just starting to swim. I go walking/hiking a lot. Whether around Perth, or up in the hills, depends on what I feel like doing each week.

Once I've completed my record attempt, I plan on taking up martial arts for more of an anaerobic-style of training.

So get out there people! Live life to the fullest! Change the way you think about training - most of what I do I don't even consider training, even though I know it is. To me, it's just fun.


Finally, I'd like to give a shout-out today to a few of my weight loss clients - I think this will be a regular feature of my blog.

Kevin, you're a star mate, having almost achieved your goal weight within a matter of weeks, and not months like we originally thought it would take. And managing a 1.9kg loss this week, despite St Patrick's Day! Well done on exercising restraint.

Ann - probably my most consistent client, who has been to every single one of my Sunday morning group walks, and consistently loses approx. 1kg each week. Well done Ann, I know you inspire several of the others.

Elly - a 16 year old girl who has really struggled, and threw in the towel. She came back this week, we reassessed her program, and she's keen to go again. Thanks Elly for being brave and coming back to see me.

And last, but certainly not least, Josie. We both got very excited when Josie registered a weight this week of 99.9kg - the first time she's been under 100kg since she was 13 years old. Bring on the 80's!

Positive point of praise

I would like to give a great big shout out to one of my weight loss clients tonight.

This young woman has only been with me for 3 weeks. In that time, she's been very diligent, and the results have reflected this.

She started out with a BMI in the 24's, which is, of course, a healthy BMI. This young woman has had some problems in the past, and her self-esteem has suffered because of it. I know that I am not the only one out there that can identify with that!

She has an incredibly supportive and loving mother, which most definitely helps, but this is something that this young woman has done for herself.

She has lost 5.1kg in 3 weeks. Is that a big deal? It is when it's 7.1% of your body weight! Those are Biggest Loser-esque figures! From a woman who already had a BMI at the top end of the healthy range.

I see a bigger smile on her face each time she comes in, and her mum inevitably gets teary due to her daughter's success and the smile it brings to her daughter's face. (It's ok, I think it's a beautiful thing).

I am trying to convince my boss to allow me to begin an official Member of the Month acknowledgment system.

Congratulations must go out to Sophie, a 16 year old young woman who has not only lost an incredible 7.1% body weight in just 3 weeks using healthy methods, she has done so whilst withstanding the scrutiny of young colleagues, and has even inspired her 22 year old cousin to come and see me in order to begin her own lifestyle-changing journey.

This post is all about you Sophie. Keep smiling, and continue to grow in strength and confidence. You are a beautiful young woman who deserves to shine.

Sophie, if you are reading this, you are most certainly my Member of the Month!

Weight loss products

Somebody recently asked whether duromine was good or bad for weight loss. Here was my reply:

I work in a situation where I see the effects of both healthy and unhealthy weight loss on a day-to-day basis;

I'm a weight loss consultant within a pharmacy.

Not only is Duromine expensive (around $100), it OFTEN has side effects.
I honestly don't know why doctors continue to prescribe it. I have actually taken people frustrated with duromine, and frankly, sometimes downright scared of it!, and put them onto healthy weight loss through education and support.

People come to me and ask what's the best way to lose weight. So I tell them. I take them to our 'weight loss wall', where we stock most of our weight loss products (except for those behind the counter or in the dispensary).

I show them these products, and tell them that they all work. And let's be honest - they pretty much do.

I then ask them what they want to achieve. Obviously, weight loss. But more to the point, do they REALLY want to lose weight, or are they after a quick fix?

Those people that are dead-set on a quick fix, I suggest a couple of products, knowing that either a) they're not going to lose weight at all, or b) will sadly put it all back on. These customers I wish all the best, and suggest they come back and see me if they're struggling.

This goes for:
Svelte
Rapid Burn
Meal Replacement shakes/bars/soups etc (ALL brands)
Lipoburn
Swisse Appetite Suppressant (all appetite suppressants)
Sensaslim
Reducta
Xenical (over the counter)
Duromine (prescription only)
even lap banding.

The fact is, in their own way, these products DO help you to lose weight. However, there are sometimes side effects (seriously, who wants to suffer anal leakage??), and unless a person undergoes EDUCATION, they will never keep the weight off in a healthy manner.

So, at the end of the day, all these products can have a place in weight loss. Whilst I never underwent a meal replacement program myself, I am a fan of those needing a boost starting out this way instead of the other products.

I have left out one particular product from that list. (Ok, I may have missed a few, but there's just so darn many!).

However, I purposely left out the Lemon Detox 'Diet'. We have recently begun to stock it. I have told my boss that I flat-out refuse to sell it. I believe it to be harmful and even downright dangerous.

Proper detoxes certainly have their place, and can be very effective at cleansing the system. However, ANY product THAT TELLS YOU TO COMPLETELY STOP EATING FOR A WEEK and take a hideous syrup instead is, in my opinion, detrimental to your health. Fullstop. And no, I'm not dramatising my position. I have already told customers I simply will not sell it to them - if they insist on buying it, buy it from another staff member.....

So, to recap. Most weight loss products can be used as a kick-start for genuine weight loss. I personally believe the most reliable and nutritionally-sound of these to be meal replacement shakes/soups/bars. However, I do not recommend replacing more than two meals a day, and if you're unsure, check with someone in the know as to whether your daily intake provides you with all the nutrients you need.

Duromine has some funky (not good funky, either) side effects.
Xenical causes anal leakage. Pretty much on purpose.
Lemon Detox = no go.
Shakes = good - provided it's in conjunction with sound nutritional education.
Support is VERY important!

I'm happy to discuss any of these products further.

I know I'm not interested in revolving door clients.
So if you are losing weight in the correct manner, relax - you WILL get to where you want to be! At the end of the day, it really is a very simple process with simple rules to follow.

Sure, we all have ups and downs, but the facts of weight loss really do remain the same.

2011 - getting to this point.

As mentioned, today's post is a brief hash about getting to where I am now.

2010 was riddled with injuries, but also many memorable moments - hiking through the Bungle Bungles, exploring the Kimberley, climbing waterfalls etc, as well as a revisit to my favourite place - Karijini National Park, which is seriously like Disney Land for adventure lovers!

It was also my first year in over a decade as a civilian, and the year I was supposed to take my fitness to a different level. It was the year I tried my hand as a cook - first on a cattle station, and then in a resort in Kununurra.

I started a relationship at the beginning of the year, and it ended towards the end of the year. But I was able to share my year of travels with a great woman.

So, returning to Perth towards the end of last year, having put a few kilos back on due to injury, working in a kitchen all day, and flat-out laziness, I was determined to get back into the swing of things. Newly single, new job, new home = new beginnings, for sure.

I had planned to run 100km for New Year's Eve - you know, finish 2010 and start 2011 with a marathon either side of midnight. Didn't count on the blisters though! So after 30km I headed home, but finished it off a couple of days later.

Given my increasing rate of injury, I was very much aware that I had to train smarter this year. I've always struggled taking the time to stretch properly. So now I ensure I do at least two stretching classes a week. I tried Bikram Yoga, which was fantastic, but honestly, it was just too expensive when an entire gym membership cost less and gave me complete access to the gym, pool and unlimited classes. So now I do Body Balance to remain limber.

My main focus this year has been two-fold:

1. Gain enough endurance fitness to successfully break the record on the Bibbulmun Track.
2. Increase my upperbody strength in order to be able to successfully regain entry into the Navy - this time as a Clearance Diver.

So I have (mostly) only been working a 4-day week, in order to focus on training, which has included a LOT of running and hiking/walking, and time in the gym.

Some days I struggle. Like today. After a hard slog on the trail in 35 degree heat on Monday and Tuesday, followed by 3 and half hours in the gym yesterday (light weights session/Body Combat/Body Pump/Body Balance), my legs - and particularly feet - just really don't feel up to it today. Which is ok, because Thursdays I work 12 hours, and is supposed to be a rest day. Keep reminding myself to train smarter, not necessarily increasingly harder.

So I'm off to work soon, which I enjoy (most of the time). I am particularly passionate about one aspect of my job, and that's being a weight loss consultant, where I get to help people change their lives. Definitely the most rewarding part of what I do!

Well, now that I've given a very brief history as to who I am and why I'm here, from now on it will be a more traditional blog - sharing of the day's events, thoughts, successes and yes, even failures.

I hope to generate interest in Endurance for Charity. But I also hope that somewhere out there someone is able to either take comfort or some new bit of advice away from my blog.

Have a great day!

And so it begins.....

A famous inspirational quote is thus: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step".

Well, this seems more than apt, for several reasons.

1) This is my first foray into the world of blogging.
2) This is the blog of Endurance for Charity.
3) The first endurance event is a record attempt on the (almost) 1000km Bibbulmun Track.

Now, I may have left the start of this blog a little late to generate any real interest for the upcoming record attempt, but Endurance for Charity may very well become my life-long legacy, and so starting this blog just a week shy of my 33rd birthday doesn't seem like it's too late.....

So what has brought me to this point? Why start my own not-for-profit organisation, when there are so many out there? Why endurance events? Isn't the (now defunct) lamington drive an easier way to raise money?

Well, first of all, I always wondered why the lamington drive disappeared..... Who remembers, as kids, getting in the kitchen with a bunch of mums, actually MAKING the lamingtons, carefully placing them in white cardboard boxes, then going door-to-door, trying to sell them without actually eating any of them? If the mums were smart, they made just enough extra that the kids were already sick of lamingtons by the time it came to sell them.

Anyway, I digress.

Why I registered Endurance for Charity

Well, I want to give something back to the community. With all the current tragedy in this country and overseas, I want to DO something. Now, without getting too political, lets just say that me putting my hand up as a Navy Reserve medic, (someone with, I would think, highly-regarded skills in light of recent events), received not so much as an acknowledgement.

So, frustrated, I wondered what else I could do.....

I figured I could combine two passions - helping others and long-distance running. This could simply have been a stand-alone event, but I realised I had the opportunity to form an all-encompassing organisation that could cover a multitude of feats of endurance by me - and hopefully others - in the future.

And so Endurance for Charity was born.

Ok. So I've introduced my new-found organisation. Let me tell you a bit about me.

My full name is Kreig Danyon Owen Leitchze. DOB 22/03/78.

On 27th Feb, 2010, I discharged after 10 year's full-time service in the Navy. Why? Because I felt I was stagnating. Just the year before, I underwent a transformation in my life - I lost 20kg, and I began to run!

I went from being worried about whether or not I would pass my fitness test (a 2.4km run), to running marathons, and even greater distances than that, within a matter of months.

(As a side note, a marathon is always 42.195km - anything greater than that is technically an ultra marathon).

Last year I went traveling, and throughout the course of the year, I sustained a torn calf muscle (twice), torn hamstring, and fractured wrist. Needless to say, I didn't compete in any distance events.

This year is a different story. And that's where my next post will pick up......