I managed to walk my French bulldog Syd, all around the town, taking in the array of op shops and cafes on our way (exercise should be fun after all). The dog, the boyfriend and I raced each other home, sprinting our hardest, with me and my magical Nike’s beating the puppy by a hair. A healthy, wholesome weekend was had by all, and what’s better is the fact that it was guilt free (due to the exercise) even after the abundance comfort food.

The final week in the challenge had arrived, and even if the changes in our bodies aren’t immediately recognisable, the overhaul in our attitudes (mine and Natalie’s at least) was obvious. Bad habits have been broken, and replaced by new healthy ones. Although we may not have those supermodel figures just yet, the fact that we are now looking forward to exercising together is most of the battle won.

For our second to last group session, we train in a circuit once again. Fia instructs us to pair up, one of us ‘training’ the other. Of course, I order Natalie to run, jump and ‘burpee’ her little heart out, executed with all of the merciless calm of a practised dominatrix. I find this enjoyable. All the while, she’s cursing and swearing my name to hell. The favour is returned when she has me kicking and punching the boxing bag, as she carefully selects which of my weaknesses to exploit and which muscle groups she would like to destroy. We are a perfect match, each one keen to push the other to their physical limits.

As we rotate partners, the dynamic amongst the group is once again revealed. My second ‘trainer’ is slow, opting out of any kind of strenuous moves, even offering me a break ‘if you’d like?’ Some ladies won’t change…ever. At least we are safe in knowing that we’ve strived to push ourselves, which is the hardest part.

As the week draws to a close, we prepare for our final private session with Fia, we know that after this, the results of the past six weeks will be revealed. Although there is going to be no winner and no loser, everyone’s a winner and all that rubbish, with a competitive pair like Natalie and I, there is bound to be an underlying air of rivalry.
Will our friendship last the distance? Of course it will, but I can’t wait to see who’ll come out on top.

By Julia Dick

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