My name is Tim Phillips. On the 4th of April 2000, I weighed in at 111 kilograms. I was not happy with my appearance, nor was I happy with my overall confidence and lifestyle. As a busy self-employed financial planner, finding time and motivation to exercise was a problem. Similarly, my diet was very ordinary. Eating on the run meant that McDonalds and Red Rooster were my friends. Something had to change.

I contacted Dwain Richardson from Active Lifestyle Specialists, and two days later had my assessment. The assessment process not only highlighted to me the areas in which I needed to improve, but gave Dwain the information he required to construct a comprehensive training program to suit my circumstances. I was impressed with Dwain’s professionalism and attention to detail, but also his friendly nature and quick wit.

My admiration for Dwain didn’t last long. Five days later, as my heart rate reached 190 beats per minute during my first training session in the gym, I wanted to kill him. I was boxing, doing push-ups, sit ups, skipping, lungewalks, bench press, seated rows, bicep curls, squats, more boxing, more push ups ……………………..
In the past I had joined numerous gymnasiums, but had mainly concentrated on the sauna and spa, then finished with a cappuccino in the gym’s café on the way out.

On a serious note, my training has now entered its sixteenth month. Each 12 weeks Dwain has set me short-term goals to achieve. Just small goals, such as to lose 3 kilos, do 3 chin-ups, run the tan in 20 minutes. Never have I become tired or bored with my program. Dwain is constantly making changes. So far I have played squash, done weights in the gym, run laps of the tan and Albert Park Lake, used “swiss balls”, medicine balls, even footballs, done some boxing, swimming and sprinted up and down steps of a railway bridge in Malvern, just to name a few. I think this is one of the keys to the success that I have achieved - the variation in my workouts has meant that my motivation is always maintained.

On the 4th of April 2000, I could not run around the block without stopping to catch a breath. On the 29th of April 2001, I raced Puffing Billy from Belgrave to Emerald. 13.2 kilometres, most of it up hill, and I didn’t stop once. I now weigh 97 kilograms and feel much better about my appearance. However, it is not so much the physical appearance that has changed, but more so my confidence and outlook on life. In October I am going to run a half-marathon. Early next year a full marathon.

If I hadn’t called Active Lifestyle Specialists back in April 2000 I know nothing would have changed.

Thank you. I could not have done it without you.

Yours faithfully,

Tim Phillips.