Normally this would be an exciting prospect. But as I am by no stretch of the imagination a ‘jeans and t-shirt girl’ or even a ‘wear your gym trainers in public girl’ this was a totally new and somewhat intimidating thought.

Fia, our trainer, had suggested Dressmart in Onehunga as a sure bet for some bargain buys. At the time I had agreed, but come Saturday I just couldn’t bring myself to go there. Instead I thought I might check out the stores around St Lukes for a wider selection.

Having forgotten the hellish nightmare that is St Lukes mall on a busy Saturday afternoon, I was quite taken aback. The mall was jam-packed with bargain hunters in the middle of sale season. Like an agoraphobic out for a ‘practise walk’ around the mall, I shuffled nervously through the crowds. This was not my ideal shopping experience. I eventually found a shiny safe haven in the form of the Nike Platinum store. It was quiet, the stock was tidily presented and the staff super helpful.

I was directed towards the range of ‘training’ shoes for women, ideal for running, dancing and generally bouncing around. I was sold, and amazed at the range of cool, perhaps even fashion forward garments available. Did this have the potential to be a whole second wardrobe? I could now have the complete look to suit the new fit, sporty girl I could was going to be.

Predictably I chose the newest, special edition, most shiny expensive shoe they had, and rounded out the look with some basic tights and loose cotton tops. I was now fully equipped and mentally back on track for the challenge.

At the gym we switched up the routine up, adding in a group ‘cross country’ on the cross trainer machines. I was moving extra swiftly and bouncing extra high in my new shoes and clothes. Whether they scientifically made the difference or not, mentally I was now Kathy Freeman or some other kind of super athlete.

As the week drew to an end, I knew Nat and I had given 100% once again. We had been in the gym four days in a row, and were feeling good. So I was pleasantly surprised to find at weigh in on Friday morning I had lost 2 kilos.

Oh yeah, thank you Nike.

Article by Julia Dick

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