Shotput champ Valerie Adams challenges all women to exercise
It’s for your families’ sake, says the REAL Women’s Series Ambassador
New Zealand's favourite female athlete, shotput champion Valerie Adams is challenging all women regardless of size, age or level of fitness to start exercising and make the most of their lives for their and their families' sake.
Valerie is ambassador for the REAL Women's Series, the popular annual lifestyle event of nine non-competitive duathlons, walks and a triathlon. The series is designed to make it easy for all women to get into REAL - which means Regular Exercise, Active Lives.
The reigning Olympic, World and Commonwealth shotput champion, says every year represents another challenge for her and this year it is the London Olympics.
"But you don't have to be an elite athlete to set yourself a training challenge. I challenge all women to make this year the start of a new healthy lifestyle for themselves and their families," says the Rotorua-born, South Auckland-raised champion who is of Tongan and English descent.
"Look at me. I'm tall and I’m not small in stature and it's never held me back. You don't have to be a size 10 to put on your track pants and get out for a walk. I know many women feel embarrassed but you just gotta think it's doing your health good, helping you cut back the weight, the high blood pressure and sometimes maybe even knocking diabetes on the head.
"It's easier if you get some friends, sisters, mums and aunties involved in walking with you - and more fun, too. It's fantastic to see so many Pasifika and Maori women already enjoying the REAL events and being great role models."
Valerie was at home briefly in January but returned to her training base in Switzerland before the nationwide REAL series with its February 12 start date. "I would love to be there to walk and bike with the other REAL participants. But I gotta do what I gotta do and being in Switzerland is all part of achieving my goals.
Valerie's message to all REAL participants is: "Go well. Enjoy your REAL event. This is the start of the rest of your lives and your partners and kids will be so proud of you!"
REAL participants who would like to send their best wishes to Valerie for her London Olympics bid can do so through an email to the REAL series organisers who will pass it on. Email info@realseries.co.nz.
Minister Tariana Turia sends good wishes to REAL Women’s Series
Maori Party co-leader and former REAL Women’s Series participant Tariana Turia is endorsing the REAL Women’s Series theme of Regular Exercise, Active Lives.
Mrs Turia and her Parliamentary office staff enjoyed last year’s Wellington duathlon. Mrs Turia is unable to join in this year due to a prior engagement but her staff will be there to represent her.
“I am delighted to endorse the 2012 REAL Women’s Series and to promote the concept of Regular Exercise, Active Lives,” Mrs Turia said in a letter to REAL Director Jane Patterson.
“’Get Real’ is a phrase commonly used in everyday conversation. The series events of non-competitive exercise and activity are an excellent way for whanau to ‘get real’ about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.”
Mrs Turia said she enjoyed her experience in 2011 in a relay threesome so much that she continued on the course and did all the walking stages of the Wellington duathlon.
“It was such a positive day and all the team in my office were pleased to enter into the spirit of the event under the auspices of such a positive kaupapa - so much so that they have all signed up again for 2012.
“From Queenstown in the south to Orewa in the north, over the next three months there are going to be nine spectacular opportunities for families, friends and work colleagues to come together and support the concept of staying well, being fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
“I congratulate all involved in helping New Zealand women – and indeed for all New Zealanders – to come together, to get real about exercise and activity and to enjoy ourselves at the same time.”
Donna Frost says join her in REAL’s fun duathlons for women
A few years ago, you couldn’t get Diabetes Auckland field officer Donna Frost on a bike for anything – “big butt on a bike, no way,” she’d say.
But that’s all changed – now she’s done two fun duathlons and wants lots of Pasifika and Maori women to join her in this year’s REAL Women’s Series of non-competitive nine duathlons (by foot and bike), a triathlon and a 5km walk.
Donna, who’s well-known in South Auckland for her HOPE programme (Healthy Options = Positive Eating), says the fantastic feeling of achievement she got from doing the duathlons led her to become an ambassador for the REAL Women’s Series.
“It doesn’t matter what size you are or if you haven’t done this sort of thing before,” says Donna, who’s half Maori (Tainui), half German Samoan.
“REAL is all about helping women to be more active and healthy, and as we know, what women do rubs off on their families. So that’s good for everyone. It’s not a race; it’s about participating and enjoying yourself.”
Donna says it’s better when women get together to train and go to the duathlons because they support each other. “You’re less embarrassed in a group and it makes for more laughs.”
When REAL approached Donna to be an ambassador and encourage other Maori and Pasifika women to do the events, she said, “I am one of the greatest ads for the REAL duathlon. I would love to have my sisters there with me to enjoy it.”
Already Donna has inspired a group of 12 Maori social workers to do the Ambury Park events this year.
So how did it start for Donna?
First, she had a strong inspiration to be active. Her father and brother died from diabetes which led her to become involved in diabetes prevention.
“But still, I was one of those women that looked at this unusual ‘breed’ of duathletic female with their taut bodies, very little body fat and lots of lycra with amazement. I did waka ama, squash, gyms and that’s about it.”
But then a friend challenged her to do a duathlon and nagged her until she finally decided to give it a go at REAL’s Ambury Park duathlon in May 2009.
“And I did it! It was a beautiful perfect morning and I walked, jogged for about five seconds and rode my bike with determination toward the finish line.
“It was such a victorious moment. To me it was like coming into the stadium at the Olympics…people cheering, clapping and waving…This was so KOOL!”
Now she’s done the 2010 duathlon and is back for more this season.
Donna says all the issues that hold Maori and Pasifika women back from doing events, like cost, being on a Sunday, being self-conscious, thinking it’s just a “white” event – these can be overcome if women seek the support of their whanau, friends and church.
Donna says families share in the feeling of achievement that their mum or sister or aunty gains from crossing the finish line.
“It’s so fantastic to see families there supporting their women at events, standing on the sidelines and yelling ‘go mum’ at the top of their voice.
“The ceremony of achievement at the end with everyone congratulating each other…strangers and yet sisters united now forever. WOW…truly a WOW moment.”
If you’d like to tell Donna about what your group is doing, email her at donnaf@diabetesauckland.org.nz.
