All About
Fitness

I first met Tessa through an outdoor group training session about 7ish years ago, in one of our first sessions I said to her, running is not really my thing. I had been a smoker for a long time. I had started in my teens and only gave up in my late 30’s.

Running definitely WAS NOT my favourite, but the idea of exercising outdoors really appealed to me. Tess encouraged me to enter a 5k run event as a goal, I remember saying, if I can run 3k I will think about it! I joined her and some others running at Lake Alford, I had NEVER done any running up to this point apart from primary school sports days 30years prior! Tess and some other ladies would run, and chat and I would just try to keep up, keep breathing and try not to die!

I think one of the reasons I didn´t enjoy running is because I thought if you ran you had to run fast, but with lots of good advice, experience, knowledge and much encouragement along the way from Tess, I discovered that if you find a comfortable pace that suits YOU, running starts to become quite enjoyable and therapeutic, It really doesn’t have to be a race!

Eventually I did run 3k so entered my first 5k event, then another, then a 10k then a half marathon which Tess ran with me and kept me motivated and believing in myself, even though she had to listen to much complaining and many profanities along the way!

I have gone on to do a few more half marathons on my own since then, but overall my goal at 47 years young is to just keep running, for as long and as far as I can, while I still can…… I LOVE IT!! All thanks to my now very good friend Tessa who really did help me to find my inner runner. And seriously if I can learn to run and love it anyone can!

Now I can´t imagine my life without running or Tessa for that matter! And while yes, some days are harder than others and some days, I don´t always feel like it, I absolutely know without a doubt that I feel far better after a run than no run at all.

I met Tessa when we were both taking our daughters to mums and bubs swimming class in 2011. Tessa had just moved to Gympie with her family and didn’t know many people. I felt we instantly connected. Even back then, I was in awe of how amazing Tessa looked, so athletic. After having 2 children of my own at that time, I could only wish I looked that good.

Not long after meeting Tessa she introduced me to her new adventure called TnT – Training and Toddlers. Personal training while someone looked after your children in a safe, nurturing environment without having to be in the public eye at a gym for those people, like myself, who are self conscious.

As time went on, things would get in the way and I would find excuses not to exercise.
With a busy life with 3 children, a husband, a business to help run, family health struggles and also working, I found it hard to find time to exercise and do something for myself.

Tessa and I have always continued to be friends over the years and just recently I started telling her how I wanted to get fit and start running. Tessa knew that gyms were not my scene and offered to help me reach my goals.
Since September 2017 Tessa has been my “go to girl” for all things health and fitness. As my friend, Tessa has helped train me twice a week. She has endured my unwillingness some days to try, name calling, whinging, swearing and sharing the occasional tear.

Some days I would whinge so much I felt the need to message her after our workout and apologise. Thankfully she has stuck around. Until just recently I wouldn’t have been able to run 1km until one day Tessa offered to come running with me. 3 months later and I conquered a 10km run. This has exceeded all of my expectations.

Tessa has taught me the love of running. Without Tessa encouraging me, cheering me on, pushing me at times and teaching me to love exercise I wouldn’t have come as far as I have today. Since starting with Tessa she has not only taught me about exercise but also nutrition and how important it is to fuel your body with the right foods.

I am glad I got in that pool in 2011 with my daughter because if I didn’t, I would probably still be sitting on the couch wishing I could run 10kms.

Thanks just doesn’t seem enough for literally changing my life.