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April 16, 2008

Forty and fit still a few weeks away by Albert Kramberger

Chronicle, Albert Kramberger warms up on an elliptical machine last Friday.

BY ALBERT KRAMBERGER

editor@transcontinental.ca

(Part two of a seven week fitness series)

I finished my first week of workouts last Friday with Steve Frischman at Power Fitness Centre in Pointe Claire. Although I experienced some soreness and tightness in a few places (hello abs) after each of the three sessions, the ordeal didn't send me running to hide behind some trees in nearby Terra Cotta Park.

The importance of warming up, properly, was the first thing driven home. Five minutes on the elliptical machine to 'get the blood' flowing and then toe to head stretching techniques were in order. So far, the workouts have been conducted without using weights (bar bells), instead relying on a number of activities, from arm rotations, jumping jacks, squats, sit ups, push ups, punching bag to circuit training. The first workout was used to determine strength and endurance (both, it seems, could use some improvement).

So while the physical side has been a challenge (trying to find the will power to continue a set while running out of steam), the next five weeks will also have me start on a meal plan suggested by Frischman. (Since I was only given this meal plan information during last Friday's session, I can be forgiven for having one last buffet lunch last Thursday with my Chronicle co-workers). The plan looks reasonable enough with an emphasis on smaller meals and light/healthy snacks in between. While eating more 'greens', fruits and smaller meals is not a big worry for me, a switch to protein shakes for breakfast will probably be tougher to swallow. Frischman said the meal plan isn't written in stone and it does allow for some indulgences, like a barbecue chicken dinner on Saturday night, to a "go for it" Sunday lunch.

I assume workouts will be getting more strenuous as we move along. (Sorry, but I have to get along, my carrot-stick break is approaching as I write this Monday afternoon.)

Stay tuned to your favourite West Island community newspaper and website for weekly updates.

— Albert Kramberger, the editor of The Chronicle, is taking a six-week challenge to become fit as a fiddle with Steve Frischman at Power Fitness Centre located in Pointe Claire Plaza.

April 9, 2008

No more Mr. Fat Guy Physical challenge before turning 40

BY ALBERT KRAMBERGER
editor@transcontinental.ca

Someone suggested last week I visit Steve Frischman at Power Fitness Centre in Pointe Claire and take a six-week challenge to become fit as a fiddle — and then to write about my experiences.
Well, I've decided to follow his crash-course in fitness (starting this week) and I will report back on my development each week in the paper as well as our website (Warning: some photos and images evoked in this series may cause you to drop that doughnut, etc.).

Kramberger: future LOG’s soccer superstar?

Although I have done weekly physical activity (mainly recreational soccer, 'Go Olympics Go') the past 12 months, I haven't managed to lose more than five pounds during that time, knowing full well that I am about 20 pounds over my ideal weight. So, as I'm turning 40 in late May, I figured a nice birthday gift to myself would be trying to get in better shape. Many of us guys in this age range, including myself from my GP over the past few years, have been advised we need to lose a few pounds. It has been reported that this extra layer of fat could increase a person's risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer. So the benefits of a leaner and fitter body are both long term as far as health is concerned and short term (Valois Pool, here I come).

I will train at Power located in Pointe Claire Plaza (new section) three times a week, develop a fitness strategy with Frischman, work out in a wide range of activities as well as pay closer attention to nutrition and what I eat at home and work.

"By the third week your energy level will shoot through the roof and you will begin losing pounds," Frischman, 43, told me during our meeting last Friday.

Mind you, he also told me I will feel some pain and stiffness after my first week of workouts. So stay tuned to your favourite West Island weekly and website for my updates and, hopefully, progress.

— Albert Kramberger is the editor of The Chronicle.

February 2008