Testimonials

Having had my first baby girl recently and a wedding not far away I was anxious about meeting my fitness and weight loss goals in time. Now each week I grow more and more confident in reaching my goals thanks to the professionalism and skill of trainers, Justine and Tegan.

Training is challenging and fun and I feel great after each session. I know I am starting a long journey but I am with the right people to help me get there.

Cheers Jus and Tegan, you rock!

Liesl

When I first started training with Justine over a year ago, I almost threw up trying to run up the hill in front of my house. I think I reached 9.5 on Jus's vomit scale. I couldn't believe how unfit I was! She told me to keep on trying, the more I do it the better I will get. I was skeptical.

But here I am 12 months later having just completed an Olympic Distance Triathlon! A 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run. And I did it! If you had told me a year ago I would be running that far I would have fallen over laughing, literally. Justine got me started and then to compliment her training I completed the Women's Triathlon Training program at Challenge Stadium culminating in the Women's Only Triathlon at Hillary's last year. I fell in love with the sport and joined a local tri club. My husband has been fantastic in supporting me, helping me out with the kids (Matilda 5, Henry 5, Eliza 2) and therefore allowing me to train with Justine and the Tri Club.

My next goal is to compete in a half marathon...then maybe a full one. Maybe!

Beth Menna

My name is Maxine and I have been with Natal Health & Fitness and Runaway Brides for over a year now.

I first heard about this wonderful training group at an engagement party (not mine!). I had recently returned from a work trip and a colleague of mine spotted my photo in a travel magazine. I almost died!! My weight after seeing the photo was 89kgs - a size 16. I had lazied myself into someone that was not me. I was determined to get back into a size 12 and enjoy the once active lifestyle I used to lead.

I have attended countless sessions with Justine and Tegan. I have loved every minute of every exercise they have put together. These fabulous ladies ensure that no session is the same as the one before which suites me down to the tee as I love variety. Justine and Tegan are great at motivating which has assisted me in getting to the size 12 goal!! I now enjoy attending sessions as part of maintaining my healthy new lifestyle. Best of all the new beach sessions at Scarborough.

Thanks ladies - love your workouts!!

Maxine

Nearly 18 months ago, I was approached by a friend to join a training group of post natal women with a midwife turned personal trainer, Justine. I had two daughters, aged seven and three, and had been fit in an another lifetime but had let personal fitness drop to the priority list, so the timing was ideal. I met Justine on a Wednesday night and several other delightful women. We worked hard but still managed a few laughs in the first session. A year and a half later, I am much fitter and still able to find humour in keeping fit.

In 2009 I ran the 12km City to Surf Fun Run and recovered easily, and have just registered for the 14km HBF Run in May 2010. I have no fear of these challenges as I am confident in my fitness, and enjoy being exposed to new and varied exercise ideas almost weekly in my training. Variety in exercise is essential for me to keep interested. Each session is different and even if something similar comes up, it will contain an exciting new twist.

I have committed to one regular training session a week for over 18 months and I now exercise on my own three times the amount before I started training. I try and get to extra training sessions when my schedule allows it. I feel better about myself, stronger in my body and look better in my clothes. I enjoy putting the effort in, and love the rewards of being involved with this great group of women.

At training I feel challenged, supported and safe. Thanks Justine for your high expectations, sense of fun and unwavering commitment.

Regards,

Amanda Clarke

Hi Justine and Tegan

"Natal Health & Fitness" is fantastic and I can't recommend Justine and Tegan enough. I started training earlier this year with Natal and Runaway Brides (Babe, not Bride or Bloke!) as I wanted to lose weight, gain energy, get fit and improve my overall health. For someone who has always hated exercise (happy walking thanks!) and has struggled with being overweight for most of my life, due to PCOS, I never thought I would have accomplished what I had through training.

In August 2009 I actually ran 12km in the City to Surf and still can't believe it. Go figure I can run! I must also mention that I did have Justine as my partner running with me and supporting me the whole way. Now if that isn't "personal" training then I don't know what is! Whilst the training sessions can be intense they are conducted with unwavering support from Justine & Tegan who are adept at adapting the exercises when you have an injury or are struggling. Thanks to the training and eating a more balanced diet I have lost kilograms and many more centimetres, and I aim to keep losing!

Of equal or greater importance are the other things I have also gained - more self-confidence, self-belief and a love of exercise. Thank you Tegan & Justine I will be eternally grateful.

I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR!!

Jodie (pictured right)

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Being part of Natal has really added quality to my life. I joined when my daughter was 3 months old, and am currently approaching 30 weeks pregnant with my second child. Being part of a fun and energetic group of ladies every Wednesday night was a great way to carve out a commitment to "me" time, as I learned to get a balance between my needs and the needs of my family. I really benefited from a social point of view in addition to the more obvious physical ones. And I have found some very good friends as well as training buddies. I have appreciated Justine's energetic and encouraging (rather than boot camp!) approach. Having always exercised independently and not been to a gym, it made the whole concept of group training much more accessible and enjoyable to me.

Physically speaking Natal has opened up a whole new world of smart all over body fitness. Especially for pre and post pregnancy fitness. I am a keen mountain biker and runner, but with a little less time to myself these days, and the affects of pregnancy on my core strength.....it has been invaluable to train my core and upper body back up again. I have certainly noticed big changes and have the knowledge now to keep it that way.

Thanks Justine, and all the Wednesday night Natal girls for all the fun sessions we've enjoyed...all the while getting fitter and stronger.

Sarah S

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I started going along to Justine's Wednesday night sessions when my second baby was 4 months old and I was desperate to shake some baby flab. I felt really comfortable going to these sessions knowing Justine was a midwife and knew what I should and shouldn't be doing with my body at 4 months post-partum. I have now been going for nearly a year and have noticed a remarkable improvement in my body shape and fitness. It has also been brilliant for my sanity, and with two small kids I hang out for some "me" time and particularly find boxing a great release! The best thing about the sessions is that you do something different every week so it never gets tedious, and Justine is very caring and sweet, but also knows how to work you until it hurts! She is also very attentive to injuries and gives some great advice on how best manage them while maintaining your exercise regime. I would definitely recommend these sessions to anyone wanting to get fit whilst having lots of fun with a bunch of great girls. Thanks Justine!

Cheers,

Sarah P