John Hamer's Fundraising Page

Nearly at the top

Ok, so heart disease is a serious problem, and a sedentary lifestyle is a big contributor. That was my life a year ago. Drive to work, sit in front of a computer all day (well, that part hasn't changed), drive home. I weighted over 100kg (shifting category from "overweight" to "obese"), and running round the block was about all I could manage before needing a rest.

Well, I'm proper fit now. I've lost enough weight that people no longer feel inhibited in telling me how fat I used to be. A student even wondered if I had cancer. Nope. It's all exercise.

The turnaround began when I joined the gym. After a few months of working out three times a week I felt fit enough to try cycling to work. Cycling now ensures I get at least 50 minutes of quality cardio workout every day, even if I can't make it to the gym. And it saves commuting time (and money).

After three months I was fit enough to run for an hour, so I raised my sights and entered the Whenuapai half-marathon in April. A month after Whenuapai I ran in Onehunga, and then in July I ran the Panmure "King of the Mountain" half (that's the one in the photo). My next goal is to run the Auckland marathon in October. Next year I can look at improving my times in all these events.

There is nothing very special in what I have done. Anyone can get fit. All it takes is organising your life to include some routine exercise, and then set increasingly ambitious goals to keep yourself motivated and inspired.

But I digress. This page is all about raising money to support the heart foundation in all the good work they do. So, if my story has started you thinking "I could do that too", then why not show your appreciation by sending the heart people a few dollars.