Photos taken this morning for DNA

This morning saw the arrival of Nick Cook, DNA's subeditor, to take some progress photos for an upcoming article in DNA.

Whilst I can't post the actual photos yet (you'll have to wait for the February issue!) all I can say is WOW.

I haven't seen the boys with their shirts off since the beginning of the competition. Sure I've seen them in singlets - which has been impressive enough! - but seeing them strip down this morning was a very proud moment of mine in this contest so far.

It was a room full of biceps, pecs, shoulders - and even abs a plenty. Pretty crazy stuff when my last shirtless image of them was way back in October!

Look forward to those photos when they come out... might even be able to get a sneak peek from Nick to post on here in the meantime!


Happy Christmas!

Greg's blog Week 11

It’s week 11 and the end is near. I say this in jest really because for me the journey has only Just begun. Before I started this whole transformation I had seen my doctor my cholesterol was high it was 6.3 after 11 weeks with the help of Andrews advice on Nutrition it has halved, my liver function has returned to normal. What did I change, you may ask? In my diet, well basically cutting out processed food and returning to fresh vegetables and fruit and making things from scratch.

I can’t thank Andrew and his team enough ( Life Active) what they have done in changing my life. Before this I was in a rut. I now realise the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Also Mike Badke because of his treatment with Active Release Technique I now run and my calves are not sore, can touch my toes with the palm of my hands when I stretch properly (could never do this before). I remember reading one of Andrew’s articles saying that with all the science we know about the body it is possible to repair and mend. (Yes, I do read the articles in DNA and not just look at the pictures lol). At the time I thought Andrew was being a bit idealistic but with the changes that have happened both in and out I now realise Andrew knew what he was talking about.

People at work have also noticed it, in fact they have made a pact with me that if by November next year I am not as fit as I am now or fitter, I will have to stand up in full attire as Freddie Mercury with moustache and full outfit and sing one of his songs. (I have now decided to grow a moustache anyway for Movember next year as it’s for a good cause. Hope my partner's okay with it, some of the guys at the Christmas party did say I made a good Freddie Mercury!)

They also want to put a before photo and after photo at the gym to inspire others. If I can change from where I was anyone can.

I have become a gym junkie and love it! Not turning back! Heck I even turned up to boot camp when it was pouring with rain. Was the only one beside the instructor who turned up and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I enjoy going to boot camp in the morning as I find that for the rest of day I am alert at work and more focused.

I am not going back to who I was. Gregles is back, lol. In the last couple of weeks before the photo shoot have a few minor challenges, Christmas day hmm and New Year’s Eve. Good thing is for Christmas my friends have accepted doing a Paleo Christmas YAY.

Well, better go as I need to get up early tomorrow for boot camp and as always if you want to you can follow me on twitter Greg491 which I use as a tool to keep myself accountable. Will be using this all the time now as it keeps me accountable.

Ash's blog - week 10

So people we are nearly the end of the competition and I must be truthful I am starting to freak out a little!!!!  I had in my mind by the end of this competition I would have abs and look like a DNA cover model… sadly I am far from a cover model.  I am really giving it my all for the last few weeks of the competition. I have regained motivation after talking with Andrew and realising the emotions I was experiencing were normal for this stage of the competition and to think positively and I will achieve my goals.  I have intensified my training and have become super strict with my diet!! Thankfully I have a 2 week holiday from work over the Christmas break so I can dedicate my time to training!!  This Christmas will be  massive change from the usual indulgent times, to a focused healthy approach to the festive season.

I have noticed more changes in my body shape mainly in my upper body with the broadening of my shoulders and development of my pecs, which was evident when I was taking my business shirt off after work one day this week and ripped it right down my back seam… it was quite a moment as I realised that my chest doesn’t really fit in any of my shirts anymore and I was also a little sad as it was my favourite shirt!!  Haha!

So thats it for this fortnights blog entry, itis all about focus and drive from here on in and I will hopefully tell you in my next blog entry that I stayed strong and resisted my mum wholesome home cooking and didn't fall off the rails over Christmas. Wish me luck.

Ash's blog Week 9

So as the weeks roll on I must say that the past fortnight has been the hardest yet, and it’s not because of social commitments or the silly season… hell its not even alcohol related. It’s to do with motivation and personal drive. I have found myself over the past two weeks slipping into a rut. I put it down to the end of the year and wanting a holiday from work and ‘normal’ life so badly. I guess the novelty of the competition has worn off and now it seems like a lot of hard work to maintain the focus and drive required.

I still have the motivation to exercise as I enjoy that the most… it’s actually the only thing keeping me sane. I maintain working out everyday in some form or another. I guess what I’m struggling with is my energy levels and diet… I’m putting my lack of energy down to my full schedule, working 5 days a week fulltime, (which I realise the majority of us do) and also working part time on the weekends and starting part time University study is taking its toll. I am finding it to hard to juggle all these aspects of my life while maintaining the large commitment that this competition requires. I will persevere however as I’m not a quitter and won’t use this as an excuse. I will still be getting up every morning at 5:30 to do boot camps and early morning runs and I’m going to spice up my diet (somehow) to keep it interesting.

I guess I’m lucky in a way because I love to be active and exercise doesn’t seem like a chore, I love going for long runs and clearing my head. After a workout I feel 100% better and the troubles of the day seem to fade away… it really does put you in a positive mood. I participated in my first TRX class held at Gold’s Gym, it was really fun and different to say the least. I highly recommended trying it out for yourself as it’s the best ab workout…

A body update, I can see that my chest has developed and totally change shape from day one, my abs are just starting to become noticeable through the ever decreasing layer of fat around my stomach. My legs… well I have always had big defined legs and they have just kept growing to my surprise as I thought they couldn’t get any bigger…. Oh and most importantly my bum is looking rounder and definitely not as flabby!!! YAY!!!! Those squats must be working!

The boys with their range of supplements supplied by Life Active

Bootcamp in the rain

Given the wet weather here in Sydney recently it's a marvel that Greg made himself turn upto our all-weather outdoor bootcamps in Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills... here's some of the evidence

Andre's blog - week 9

Let's start with the Pool Party... I would like to apologize to DNA in

advanced! Ok, let me put it this way; I loved it, but I hated it. 

Not because it was a s*** party, it was just that I was so incredibly jealous of the

hot models there! I swear, every single muscle on their bodies was

pumped to their limit. Wherever I laid my eyes the only thing I saw

was hot guys in speedos. Me by the way was sitting there with my pale,

skinny body just staring at them with envy! 

Before the party I got a new hair-cut, I dyed my hair, waxed my eyebrows, tinted my eyelashes

and I bought speedos for $55! I was so depressed! You know, in the last blog entry

I told about how insecure and how low self-esteem I have. You might think I'm

silly, but it was still fun and all. We got to be 'VIP's on the day because of the contest which was nice.

Let's move on to something else! I think that we will have a

photoshoot this week for the upcoming DNA issue which is very

nervewrecking! I know the photos that has been printed in the two last

issues are awful, so I am positive the new photos can't be worse!

Otherwise, my training is going well. Lately I have had a few extra

days off since I have been looking for an apartment (which is not

easy in Sydney). I have been without a permanent home for weeks now and looks like I have

to keep couch-surfing a bit longer. Actually, my home at the moment is the gym.

Haha. I will start my new program any time soon which is going to

really pump my muscles so they are ready for the final photoshoot.

Unfortunately, by the looks of it, I am not even close to looking like

the DNA models. I will work even harder if that's what it takes for me

to build muscles!

Sorry for all the negativity, but I have actually a very positive

attitude. You might not believe me, but it's true!

Greg Keith's blog Week 8-9

I can’t believe it is already week 8. The recent two weeks have been hectic: boot camp with Life Active Monday, Wednesday and Friday ( yes I even went and did the rainy days as well, after all it is boot camp rain hail or shine) and of course my regular gym workout.

Last weekend was full on with work Christmas where the theme was 80’s and I was told I make an awesome Freddie McGuire (note 8 weeks ago I was too embarrassed to wear a singlet). At the Christmas Party I had a steak which I am not quite used to, I felt like Patsy in AB Fab where she ate her first meal. Luckily there was spinach on the plate which satisfied my cravings. Other people offered their spinach on their plate as well. LOL I think everyone now knows my favourite vegetable is spinach. Drink wise.. hmmm I poured myself a glass of wine and had one sip couldn’t stomach it so it was back to the faithful glass of spring water.

Stayed at a friend’s place that night, then it was TRX training in the morning with Ianthea through Life Active and Golds Gym which was awesome, learnt some great exercise to strengthen the core muscles. After this it was off to the DNA Pool party which the heavens opened to glorious shiny day at the IVY Pool. The models showing off the different styles of costumes - what can I say, very impressive (maybe one day I may look like them hmm). To tell you the truth not really concerned as one of the things I wanted to get out of this competition was get back into shape, I can honestly say I have never been in better shape.

It was a great day and yes I did have one drink I have to confess a Vodka and soda with a dash of lemon. My partner Wayne even won a $300 towel not sure how to use it may have to frame it. Gee never knew a towel could be so expensive but thank you DNA!

After DNA pool party it was off to a birthday dinner at Rambutan on Oxford Street for my partner and also a friend who had theirs as well. As Andrew said I could have a night off from the strict diet, I did and the food was awesome! During the course of the dinner I also had two Belini cocktails which went straight to my head which meant I became fairly verbal LOL how orgasmic the food was.

Got up the next morning and it was back to the gym for a 45min row, felt great in the morning as I hadn’t drank much that night before but yet still had a fantastic time.

I am now starting to notice the difference in myself health wise as well, one of the people at work asked me if I will keep it up and maintain everything once the completion has finished. My answer was yes I will not go back to the way I was. One of the books which Andrew lent us, The Paleo Diet, helps you to maintain a healthy diet and lead you in the direction of healthy lifestyle.

This Christmas I am hoping to have a Paleo Christmas dinner fingers crossed my close friends will be in for it and no the menu is not predominately spinach LOL. Heck I even found a healthy way of making a Christmas pudding, my mouth salivates when I think about it. Woops wasn’t supposed to mention that as it was going to be a surprise for my friends at Christmas.

Okay I think you’ve written enough here Greg. Hope it wasn’t too much information but the things I have learnt during the period so far my head spins just thinking about it. You can follow me if you want to on twitter which is there to keep myself accountable @Greg491.