Whakatāne teams spring into action for
John and Tania going through their workout at SWEAT Whakatāne.
By Communications Advisor, Stephanie Byers.
That’ll take John’s marathon tally to eleven.
This month we celebrate the 1st birthday of
SWEAT Whakatāne. Staff are not marking the
occasion with cake. Instead they’ve sprung into
action with 23 teams signed up to the Bigger
Loser Challenge compared with 16 in Tauranga.
It’s fair to say, John’s had a colourful career. Prior to immigrating to
New Zealand he was in the British Army; provided close protection
for Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, sharing a bacon
sandwich with the late Margaret Thatcher (former British Prime
Minister) and standing guard when Hitler’s number one henchman
the late Rudolf Hess was in the Royal Military Hospital, are just a
few of his work stories.
Loosely based on the Biggest Loser television series, the 12
week challenge at both hospitals is designed to get staff started at
SWEAT and motivate current gym members to exercise regularly
for long-term health benefits. It’s not all about weight loss.
While in the army he clocked up 10 marathons, mainly in Germany
where he was stationed.
“Back then I was much fitter. I played rugby in the army and would
run a half marathon every Sunday.”
We caught up with one of the Whakatāne teams who’ve aptly
named themselves ‘The Hopefuls’ to see how the team’s going.
Fast forward twenty plus years with a few health issues under his
belt, John is determined to improve his health.
The Hopefuls
The Hopefuls are slowly moving up the Biggest Loser leader
board. At the time of going to print Whakatāne team Tumeke is at
the top of the board in equal place with Tauranga’s Spring Rolls.
The final weigh in for the challenge is set for Friday 9th December.
A couple of months ago John moved from Gisborne to Whakatāne,
taking up a position as a Mental Health Nurse. He spotted the ad
for the Biggest Loser and thought it would be a good opportunity to
improve his health.
“I’m working shifts in the
Mental Health Crisis Team, I
eat on the go and admittedly
it’s not always healthy food.”
John teamed up with Tania
Miller who’s also a Mental
Health Nurse, although she’s
based on the ward. Working
shifts makes it quite difficult
for the pair to work out
together at the gym, so they
keep in regular contact via
email and text messaging.
The pair have set
themselves firm goals, and
it’s not all about weight
loss. Tania is keen to do
the infamous Lake Taupo
Cycle Challenge next month
and John is keen to run the
Auckland Marathon when
he has his next significant
birthday in a couple of years.
Week 4 Results
Team Tumeke - W
Spring Rolls - T
FTATS - We Salute You - T
FYA - W
D&R-T
Mission Slimpossible - T
Voyagers Rangers - W
No Pressure - W
Shredders - W
This Time? - T
Wine Not Girls! - W
PAAC - W
Voyagers Vikings - W
Sharon's Toi Boys - W
Team Kayla - T
The Wombles - T
Just Sitting Around Eating Chips - T
Anonymous - W
The Power Puff Girls - W
Losing It - T
The United Nations - W
Hungry Hippo's - W
More Mojo Less Yoyo - T
Rambo - T
Hopefulls - W
Four Eyes - W
Pain Killers - T
Dylan & The Divas - W
Fine Ants - T
Adminnies - T
Sisters Act - W
Sweat As' - T
Mission Slimpossible - W
Broken-Azz - W
On A Mission - W
TLC - W
Norad's - T
Team Awesome - W
Pitaaraz - W
0.0%
0.5%
1.1%
1.0%
0.8%
0.8%
1.0%
2.9%
2.8%
2.7%
2.7%
2.7%
2.5%
2.4%
2.2%
2.2%
2.1%
1.9%
1.8%
1.6%
1.6%
1.6%
1.6%
1.5%
1.5%
1.4%
1.4%
2.0%
3.0%
3.7%
3.6%
3.4%
3.4%
3.4%
3.3%
3.1%
3.1%
4.0%
4.8%
4.7%
5.0%
5.4%
5.4%
6.0%
7