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Anna Macri

Group: Step into Life® Golden Grove, South Australia

Comments about Step into Life®:

Step into Life Golden Grove and my trainer Matt Sparkman have been a real wake up call for me. It is hard to believe that almost 2 years ago I couldn’t even walk up a flight of stairs without getting dizzy. As a family we went for the odd walk, and i was always the piker, the last one, always complaining to slow down and wait for me. At that stage of my life I was struggling with early menopause and it messed up my nervous system and my well being, I knew I had to do something. My son bought home a SIL flyer from school and my husband pushed me into giving it a go. I’m usually a shy person and didn’t really like the idea of gyms. For me the outdoor training got my attention.

Back in January 2006 I clearly remember my first session at SIL. It was a real struggle for me but Matt made me feel so welcome, he took his time to listen and to understand exactly what I wanted to achieve with my fitness and health levels. The session was full of a variety of different challenging exercises. I pushed myself to the limit, although I was exhausted, the feeling I felt after training was great and I wanted more. I attend twice a week Mon cardio and Thurs toning, it is addictive.

It’s hard to believe that 8 months later I completed the Adelaide City to Bay 12km run in 66 minutes. I never in my wildest dreams thought that I could achieve something like this. Now as a family we go on hikes and long walks without me complaining, in fact sometimes everybody has to keep up with me. Being active is a trait I want and need to pass down to my children.

Mid 07 my daughter Carla also joined SIL Golden Grove. Matt and SIL is teaching her that nothing in life comes easy, but if you always give it 100% and believe in yourself, good things will come. Matt is a mentor for the whole group, he is in tune with everybody’s needs and can identify areas of strengths and weaknesses and then assist with goal setting and target achievement. Matt and SIL have inspired me and my daughter to not only achieve a great fitness level, but to hopefully live a long, positive and healthy life.

We enjoy attending our two sessions a week , it’s become a part of our everyday life now. Its been almost 2 years for me and still going strong. The social part of SIL is a bonus, I have made some close friends in this time ,and we love to catch up for our monthly lunch. Who would think exercising could be so much fun and at the same time beneficial to our health.

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Annetta Hodge

Group: Step into Life® Chelsea, Victoria

Comments about Step into Life®:

As a busy single mum it has been hard fitting in time for my fitness. I have 2 boys who play sport to a competitive level, involving a lot of training time and travel.

Over the years I have tried to fit in things for me - I played indoor cricket once a week for a few years. I have 2 dogs and enjoy walking them, but its not something I do on a regular enough basis to really keep fit, or keep my weight to a level I would like (the kilos have been creeping on over the last 10 years).

I joined Step into Life because it was close to home, and committed myself to a couple of sessions a week - just to see how it went. I knew if I joined a gym I would find excuses not to go. Having the set session times makes it easier for me to know that's when I have to go.

It was pretty hard at first - I really had to push myself to go, especially to the cardio sessions. After starting Step into Life in November I can now jog through a whole session! I have lost 3kgs and I feel more energetic, and my overall health has improved.

The sessions are always different, it’s great being outside, and Lisa is a great motivator. It’s nice to see the regular faces at each session, too. Everyone is very supportive of each other and we always manage to have a laugh as well.

Thanks, Lisa! You have helped me achieve much more than I thought I was capable of - and made it fun as well.

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Barb Green

Group: Step into Life® Diamond Creek, Victoria

Comments about Step into Life®:

I joined up on Wed this week after my freebie session on the Monday!!!
It is fantastic exercising outdoors with other people and Steve is a fantastic Personal Trainer, pushes us but with witty retorts!
I couldn't recommend it highly enough. I'm doing x2 cardio & x1 toning a week. I know it sounds impossible, but I felt different after the toning session, like my posture was better and I was walking stronger....join up! Get fit & happier.

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Candido Pendini

Group: Step into Life® West Lakes, South Australia

Comments about Step into Life®:

I joined my wife in SIL about 2 years ago and I still look forward to every session. I prefer the outdoor team training approach to fitness that SIL offers and the individual challenge that can be tailored to your needs. The company is great and you will always find a training buddy that will challenge and encourage you to achieve your goal.
Candido Pendini

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Carina Boehm

Group: Step into Life® Mitchell Park, South Australia

Comments about Step into Life®:

You offer us inspiration, motivation, non judgmental help and you don't care if people are a size 8 or 20, whether they are 20 or 60 as long as they want to get fit and healthy and can enjoy exercising. I honestly don't think I ever really loved exercising before now, apart from aerobics years ago, which I love so much I would go 3 or 4 times a week, if I could manage. You get to know your members and don't forget peoples names (that you won't get in a gym!), and know peoples capabilities, push when you need to and know when not to push. You are dedicated to helping us get fitter and healthier, but make sure we do things properly so as not to injure ourselves. Its hard not to be motivated in our classes and you want to come back.
You don't let classes get boring, constantly changing things, your classes are not predictable and we are always being offered new challenges, such as the 10 week challenge, the 10 km walk. We are kept up to date with other events going on in Adelaide and encouraged to take part, but not made to feel bad if we don't take part.
I think the whole SIL philosophy is great and well organised. I like the diary to help keep you on track and to be able to see how you progress. I like the 2 weekly reports as it encourages you to work harder to achieve more and shows you where you can improve, keeps you motivated and enthusiastic, wanting to strive for more. The fitness tests while daunting are a great way to see just where you're at and it motivates you to do the next one and see if you've got better. It's good to do this with the group as you spur each other on and feel supported by a team of like minded people who are there to achieve the same thing as you.

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