Our #WeightLossWarriors have achieved above and beyond their personal expectations throughout the training for Gold Coast Marathon 2021. Despite the cancellation of our biggest community event of the year, we set out to prove that nothing can stop us from reaching our fitness goals. Together, we came out and made it even more spectacular with our own WLSA event, Fighting Fit.

This video captured the spirit of our warriors at Fighting Fit. The results we have seen are absolutely incredible – those who walked the 5km, ran the 10km and the half marathon first-timer, Anthony Deamon. We are super proud of each and every one of our #WeightLossWarriors, you are all champions!

Let’s look forward to a bigger and better event next year.

Keep fighting for your fitness,

Felicity Cohen
CEO of WLSA

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The Champions of Fighting Fit Proved Anything Is Possible

On Saturday 17th July we hosted “Fighting Fit” our very own version of the Gold Coast Marathon. We were all pretty devastated at yet again another cancelled event this year. The hours of training; the motivation for which was the marathon all came crashing down when we heard only days prior that the event was cancelled.

The training and commitment that so many warriors contributed to prove to themselves and their loved ones that “anything is possible” was just inspiring to watch. We had many people exercise for the first time! Boot camp for some was a whole new world of fun; fitness; fear and of course a whole world of pain to start with! Jacinta and Lauren were fiercely determined to make boot camps on Saturday morning fun, and they definitely showed us that getting fit is not just fun, but we all of sudden started to understand the benefits of exercise:

• The mental health rewards are endless; releasing the positive endorphins and happiness hormones that leave us feeling great are worth it!

• The mental health rewards are endless; releasing the positive endorphins and happiness hormones that leave us feeling great are worth it!

• The mental health rewards are endless; releasing the positive endorphins and happiness hormones that leave us feeling great are worth it!

• The mental health rewards are endless; releasing the positive endorphins and happiness hormones that leave us feeling great are worth it!

For each of you who have risen to the challenge to move more and exercise more; step out of your comfort zones and struggle to walk up a flight of stairs by Monday morning; your efforts will have benefits way beyond the 12 weeks of training and our Fighting Fit event!  You have all come so far… now keep going…set the next goal!

The beautiful community spirit of support and encouragement was spectacular to observe. I’ve never seen so many beautiful smiling people out walking and running to better themselves! The personal sense of self-satisfaction was obvious! Saturday’s weather was perfect! We were incredibly fortunate to start with no wind or rain and not so freezing conditions. Each and every warrior shone out there. I can’t tell you how proud I am to have witnessed your success! You are all standouts and champions!

A few #WeightLossWarriors mentions….

Beck William – WOW! 2:03 for a half marathon! She is 30 years of age; has lost 78kgs and is an absolute superstar!

Anthony Deamon – ran his first ever half!  The conditions to run a half were lonely and so much harder than if you had been amongst a crowd. The hours of training; mental toughness and resilience and determination are all necessary to achieve this distance. The hard work paid off and you did it!

Adrian Rossiter – made the half seem easy! His training was consistent but not overly rigorous! All in the mindset and attitude.

Adam Bilsy – took 10 minutes off his 10kms time! This comes at 4 years after his surgery. On Saturday Bilsy reminded me that he came out to watch the warriors on marathon weekend just a couple of days after his surgery! This is his 3rd year of competing and far from the last. Running alongside him; close friend Bill; who was also phenomenal. Bill lost 90kgs post-surgery ( small covid regain like so many); ran an impressive 10kms and missed park run just to join us. Bill says he likes Broadbaeach Park Run the best; he has run about 87 Park Runs since surgery and even plans holidays now around Park Run! This is a pure commitment to health and fitness.

Dionne Hoy – took 3 minutes off her 5kms time!

Twins Trudy and Vicki – wore 2 of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen. From no exercise these girls really were from “couch to 5kms”;  a beautiful story still unfolding. No more plantar fasciitis and pain and now moving more each day; more energy; coping at work better and living a whole new lease on life.

I’m so happy that we did not give up this year. Fighting Fit was a testimony to you all for choosing good health for now and for the future. Set your sights on next year! We are not giving up on this ever!

Paula – you brought tears to my eyes when you mentioned that showing up was partly for my benefit as the marathon means so much to me to share with our patients you also wanted to show support for me in the way I choose to support you.

My massive thanks and gratitude to all of you. I love sharing every minute of the journey with you and pride just does not describe how happy I was to see you all do so well!

Massive heartfelt thanks and congratulations to each and every one of you.

Felicity Cohen
CEO of WLSA