Posts Tagged ‘North Devon’
Walking the Great Wall of China
Monday, January 11th, 2010
Claire, myself & Chris: rasining money for North Devon Hospice
In April last year I was approached by Claire with the view to her starting Boot Camp as preparation for the walk accross The Great Wall of China to raise money for the North Devon Hospice. After talking with Claire and the rest of the members of the team and a visit to the Hospice I decided to sponsor the trek by allowing them to participate in Boot Camp for free for the entire year to get them ready to walk The Great Wall of China.
Below is Claire’s story, please read on.
Back in April of this year (2009), whilst browsing through the North Devon Journal, I came across the article featuring Richard Taylor and his challenge of walking The Great Wall of China in memory of Sarah his sister, after reading the article my first reaction was I can do that, after telling my mum my plans she immediately said the same and it all started from there.
After a lot of thought both our attentions turned to HOW we would do it, I was unhealthy and overweight and mum felt that at 60 she was not at her peak, after ringing around a couple of fitness instructors, I came across Marc Kent, who was extremely supportive of our challenge, and much to my surprise offered his services to all of the group for free, after a couple of people pulling out we were left with just me and mum.
In May we started our long journey to getting fit and ready for the walk, I think we both had misconceptions about what to expect, but after our first session we were both hooked. 3 times a week we take part in an hour of full on exercise, which includes a warm up, circuit training and the dreaded last 10 minutes, which usually involves press ups, knees to elbow, star jumps and running.
Had somebody told us 12 months ago we would be getting up at 6.30am and running around a gym, I would not have believed them, however Marc has not only prepared us physically he has given us the confidence to believe that we can achieve this once in a life time opportunity.
What Marc Kent proves is that you can be any size, any age and any level of fitness and with the right person guiding you, you can achieve anything. This may sound corny but this is fact and we are proof of that.
What is really important about this challenge is not only the chance for us to fulfil a dream, but also the opportunity to raise as much money as possible for 2 great charities, The North Devon Hospice and Tinker Taylor 12. Both mum and I had the opportunity to know Sarah Taylor and her family, and hear about the support they received from the Hospice at a time when they most needed it, and I can not think of a better reason to do what we are doing.
As part of the fundraising for this event, we will be holding a ladies charity night on Thursday 28th January at Sticklepath School; the event will include the following:
- A ready steady cook – Healthy style
- A presentation from Marc Kent about keeping fit
- Massage, reflexology, and head massage.
- Plus other pampering ideas.
- The event will cost £7 per person.
For more information please phone Claire on 01271 371208
If you would like to sponsor Claire and Chris’s trek and raise money for the North Devon Hospice, please visit: www.justgiving.com/clairefisher7
North Devon Personal Trainer Reveals How to Turn Your New Year Weight Loss Resolutions into Real Results: Part 1
Monday, January 4th, 2010Over the years, I have helped countless people to maximize their overall health, performance, and body composition faster than ever before. To put it bluntly, I know how to help people lose ugly, unwanted body fat faster than most people can fathom. Now, make no mistake about it, a big reason for this is because my integrated rapid fat loss training and nutrition system is second to none. I have done the countless hours of research and trial and error both on myself and clients to prove that my system works. But, today I am going to share something more powerful; something that must be set in place before you can even start to think about following a fitness program.
Before I get into this goal setting process, I just need to get something off of my chest. I know a lot of people think goal setting is just a cheesy, useless thing. Unfortunately, these people just don’t get it and frankly if you are one of those people, please do us both a favor and stop reading this article and go buy another useless weight loss book or pill because I simply cannot do anything for you. I can only help people who want to learn. I simply cannot help people who already think they know it all and think they are too good to take some time to figure out what the hell it is that they actually want to accomplish. The bottom line is that the most successful people out there, and I mean not just weight loss success, I am talking business, lifestyle, etc., are shamelessly goal driven. The most successful people in the World know exactly why they want to do something and harness that super motivation to figure out how and by when they want to go about accomplishing that. Furthermore these super achievers’ plan and prepare for every possible roadblock they will encounter in their path to success. This is what I want to teach you how to do today, so let’s get to it!
Step One- The Why: Why do you want to do this?
This is where it’s time to get real. In almost every initial consultation I do, when I ask why they have contacted me today, here is the typical blanket response that I first hear:
“Well, I just want to get healthy and lose some weight.”
Nope, I don’t buy it. Sure, I know they want to lose weight and be healthy, I mean who doesn’t, but really WHY do they want to do this? I mean, what is it that’s going to get them up at 5 am to get their morning workouts in or take a couple of hours on Sunday to plan and prepare their meals for the upcoming week? It sure isn’t “being healthy” because for some reason this just isn’t a very powerful motivator for most people (though it should be).
Let’s face it: everybody, including YOU, wants to look better naked! Stop giggling, you know it’s true and frankly that’s okay because the desire to improve one’s appearance is the most powerful motivator there is. This shouldn’t be such a big surprise since the main life mission of humans, or any species for that matter, is to procreate. This is instinctual. And obviously, looking better makes this more of a reality.
So, after a little digging, I find out the real reason why they have come to see me; I find their past or pain and then establish their current and future ambitions. Some people want to be able to mow the lawn in the summer with their shirt off and not feel self-conscious. Others want to get back into their favorite pair of pants that they haven’t been able to get one leg into for the last five years. Then there are those who want to look and feel more attractive to ignite some passion back into their relationships and/or put for their best image at work. And of course, my personal favorite is preparing for big events that have built in deadlines. Wanting to get as lean and tight as possible to look hot in that dream bikini while on holiday, or when visiting family you haven’t seen in two years to blow them away with your new body, or being a classic beauty in your wedding dress on the big day, it all works! This is the stuff that gets people fired up and ready to commit to making some real changes. How do I know? Well, I just shared with you the exact “WHY’S” of some of my own clients.
So, the first thing you have to figure out is your personal WHY. To make this even simpler for you, just answer this question: what are your physical dreams? Once you establish this, everything else is easy..
Train Hard, Eat Smart!
Marc
PS- Stay tuned for parts II and III later in the week…
Body Transformation Boot Camp
Saturday, December 5th, 2009Its back! North Devon’s original
“Body Transformation
Boot Camp”
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO: FRIDAY 26TH MARCH 2010
For the second year running North Devon Fat Loss & Fitness Expert Marc Kent is running his “Body Transformation Boot Camp.” This is your chance to kick start the New Year by getting in the best shape of your life.
By joining one of my Boot Camp classes you will be training with a group of highly motivated people and together you will be able to make some big changes in your life. By entering this contest you have put yourself in a position to succeed like never before. There will be tons of social support and accountability to keep you focused and on track.
To top it off, you will also be eligible to wins some HUGE prizes! Really, everyone will win because they will have met their fitness goals quicker than ever before. But, nothing beats a little extra incentive to keep your eyes on the prize.
The “Body Transformation Boot Camp” starts on Monday 4th January2010 and finishes on Friday 7th May 2010
To be in with a chance of winning £1000 and many other prizes
all you need to do is:
A minimum of 2 Boot Camp/Personal Training sessions per
week for a minimum of 12 weeks. For membership options, please click here
Follow a simple nutrition plan laid out by Marc
Pay a one off registration fee of £10
It couldn’t be simpler!
Here’s a list of all the prizes
£1000 cash to spend as you wish, courtesy of Fat Loss & Fitness Expert Marc Kent
Photo Shoot with top Devon photographer Andy Casey (value). Visit www.andycaseyphotography.co.uk or call 07792 864370 for more information about Andy’s services.
Complete make over, courtesy of Kudos Bideford
Colour Analysis and Style Consultation – value £200 provided by Judith Brady, Image Consultant – Devon’s answer to Gok Wan!
A Colour Analysis is the starting point for many transformations. Discover which colours make you look and feel fabulous – it is amazing what a difference it can make when you wear the colours that are right for you. A Style Consultation shows you which cuts, shapes and styles will flatter your body shape and gives you lots of tips on how to put outfits together, use of accessories and which fashions will look good on you and which to avoid. Further information can be found on my website: www.judithbrady.co.uk
One months FREE membership at PURE TAEKWON-DO, for more information visit www.puretkd.com
A Top To Toe Pamper Hamper (worth 50.00) & facial from VIE AT HOME. For more info or to book a party call EMMA HEAL on 07530 223236
More will be added
So, here’s how it works, (the rules)
- The “Body Transformation Boot Camp” starts on Monday 4th January 2010 and finishes on Friday 7th May 2010
- To be eligible to enter the “Body Transformation Boot Camp” you must enroll in a minimum of 2 Boot Camp/Personal Training sessions per week for a minimum period of 12 weeks at my gym in Roundswell.
- Only members of Boot Camp or Personal Training clients of Marc Kent may participate in the “Body Transformation Boot Camp”
- The last day to enroll on the “Body Transformation Boot Camp” is Monday 15th February 2010. This is to allow you a 12 week period of training. DEADLINE FOR ENROLLING IS EXTENDED TO FRIDAY 26TH MARCH 2010
- Everybody in the contest MUST submit before pictures and have completed a body transformation consultation with Marc within 5 days of their start date to be eligible for this contest.
- Anyone wishing to participate in the “Body Transformation Boot Camp” will be required to pay a registration fee of £10
- You will be required to write a short essay detailing why you decided to join the “Body Transformation Boot Camp” and what results you achieved.
- Photos will be taken of each participant at the conclusion of the “Body Transformation Boot Camp”
- At the completion of the “Body Transformation Boot Camp”, the judges will select and announce 3 finalists for the transformation contest prizes. The remaining contestants will then vote anonymously for whom they think is the ONE person that most deserves the title of “WINNER” of the “Body Transformation Boot Camp” among the 3 finalists.
- On Saturday 15th May at 7.30pm we will have a special end of contest prize giving at a restaurant (TBA, depending on numbers) for the whole group to recognize EVERYONE’s accomplishments and to announce the winners of the special prizes above.
- By entering this Contest, each winner of a contest prize consents to the use of his/her name, and/or photograph in any publicity carried out by the Contest Sponsors and its advertising and promotional agencies without further notice or compensation.
- The Contest Sponsor’s rulings are final and without appeal in all matters related to this Contest and the awarding of the Prizes
- The Contest Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, cancel or suspend this Contest should an external circumstances arise which are beyond the reasonable control of the Contest Sponsor. The Contest Sponsor is not responsible for any errors or omissions in printing or advertising this Contest.
- The Contest Sponsor collects your personal information for the purposes of registration, program evaluation and to keep you informed about The Challenge. The Contest Sponsor may, if consent was given during registration, also contact you from time to time with information about other ways you can lose weight.
- The Contest Sponsor will not share any personal data about entrants with any other party. The personal data collected for this Contest will not be used for any other purposes unless entrants provide explicit permission as indicated on the entry form.
- By entering this Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Contest Sponsor and their respective employees, officers, directors, agents, representatives, successors, assigns, advertising and promotional agencies from any liability for any loss or damage of any kind to the entrant or any other person in connection with this Contest or participation in any Contest related activities, including but not limited the taking of a urine test or, if declared a winner, the use or misuse of a prize or any portion of a prize including personal injury, death or property damage.
- This Contest will run in accordance with these Contest Rules, subject to amendment by the Contest Sponsor. Contest Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, amend, modify or terminate this Contest or the Rules at any time in its sole discretion and without notice.
- Entrants must comply with these rules, and will be deemed to have received and understood the rules if they participate in the Contest.
- You will be required to read and sign a copy of the above rules to be eligible to enter.
If you have any questions please leave a comment below or email me at marc@marckent.com
Train Hard, Eat Smart!
Marc Kent
Fat Loss & Fitness Expert
PS. Sign up for my newsletter at the top of the page to receive regular contest updates. You will also receive my special report on “How To Get Maximum Weight Loss & Fitness Results In Minimum Time!” along with a gift certificate entitling you to ONE free weeks of Boot Camp
How To Design the Ultimate Fat Blasting Workout
Friday, June 26th, 2009In the past the performing of exercises in straight sets has been the cornerstone of most resistance training programs. This basically means you would perform a certain number of reps for one exercise, rest anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes, depending on your goals and then repeat this process for the number of sets you required based on your goals. If you wanted to gain more muscle you would use longer rest periods and conversely if you wanted more of a fat burning workout you would use shorter rest periods.
A much more effective and time-efficient way to ordering your exercises is to utilize the alternating set format. Here you’ll perform one exercise, rest for a short period of time, then perform another non-competing exercise, rest for a short period of time, and so forth. By alternating sets like this you can work different areas of your body when you would otherwise be resting with the straight set format. Plus, by working another area of your body with a non-competing exercise you allow your body to recover from the previous exercise(s). The result is improved training economy and density: more work accomplished in less time, the cornerstone of any sound fat loss program.
There are several ways to perform alternating sets outlined below:
1.) Supersets: Alternate between two different non-competing exercises (e.g. upper body and lower body such as push-ups and squats)
2.) Tri-sets: Alternate between three different exercises (e.g. push, pull, and lower body such as push-ups, pull ups, and lunges)
3.) Circuits Training: Alternate between four or more different exercises
Though supersets and tri-sets are excellent alternating set options, I believe circuit training is by the far the best option time and time again. To demonstrate why, let’s take a look at my favorite circuit training template using timed set intervals:
The 50-10 Five Exercise Circuit: You will alternate between 50 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest for all five exercises in the following 5-minute circuit:
Exercise#1- Squat
Exercise #2- Dips
Exercise #3- Single-Leg Hip Extensions
Exercise #4- Pull-ups
Exercise #5- Leg Raises
Perform this circuit up to four times for a 20-minute total body fat burning workout.
Basically, in the same 15 minutes that it took to get in three sets on the bench press you could have gotten in three sets of five different exercises for a staggering total of 15 work sets! Plus, the intensity on each exercise will be just as high as in the straight set format because in this five exercise circuit you will have full recovery with over four minutes before you return to any given exercise (just as you did with the straight set format described earlier).
So to reiterate, the key to creating the optimal hormonal environment for fat loss is to perform each exercise with maximal intensity while separated by brief rest periods in order to accumulate a high volume of total body work in the shortest amount of time possible. Circuit training provides for the best of both worlds and is thus simply unmatched for simultaneously maximizing fat loss and lean muscle gain. Feel free to use the following template I use during my boot camp workouts for some killer, yet simple fat loss circuits:
Exercise#1- Double-Leg
Exercise#2- Push
Exercise#3- Single-Leg
Exercise#4- Pull
Exercise#5- Core
I’ll be sharing some more great circuit training workouts from my boot camps in the weeks to come 
Three Common Sense Fat Loss Tips
Monday, June 22nd, 2009Stop Eating Salads: Three Common Sense Fat Loss Tips.
With summer fast approaching North Devon residents seeking rapid fat loss should strongly reconsider the salads they are eating for quick weight loss.
Read on to discover my 3 common sense fat loss tips that will help you avoid piling on the pounds when tucking into those yummy veggies.
Those looking to shed fat fast often don’t realise that the salads served in restaurants and fast food businesses have more fat and calories than the burgers!
With that said here’s a quick weight loss tip for you: If your salad is loaded with cheese, bacon and a high calorie dressing, you’re not making fat burning any easier for your self.
To help you get in shape for the summer I’ve put together these 3 simple fat loss tips that you can follow the next time you are considering ordering a salad for a quick weight loss meal:
Fat Loss Tip #1
Ask for the dressing on the side and not over your salad. Dip the tongs in the dressing before you then pick up some salad. It will give just enough of the flavour but will keep the calories under control.
Fat Loss Tip #2
Choose a salad that has grilled protein in it such as chicken or fish. The lean protein will help increase the “thermic effect” of the meal, which means the body has to burn more calories to digest the meal and in turn this will help accelerate fat loss.
Fat Loss Tip #3
Ask to “hold” the cheese and bacon bits. In place of these ask for more fibrous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower. The increase in fibre will help burn calories as well as control any raise in blood sugars which will help tremendously with quick weight loss.
Using these three common sense fat loss tips next time you order a salad will help you shed the pounds and look your best come summer.
Train Hard, Eat Smart,
Marc
