Q and A - Kelly Denley

Workout World Malaga store manager and mother of eight, Kelly Denley, has experienced a remarkable health and fitness journey, shedding 60 kilograms through a long-term commitment to regular exercise and a healthy diet. Kelly is now sharing her experience and know-how with Workout World customers, helping them achieve their health and fitness goals.

Q. I understand you recently achieved an incredible health and fitness goal – dropping from 132kg to an amazing 75kg. How did home fitness equipment help you achieve your health and fitness goals?
A. My home fitness equipment – which is comprised of a XFIT480 treadmill, free weights, boxing bag, fit ball and workout posters – keeps me and my family in shape these days.

My weight loss and fitness journey began around 11 years ago when I became good friends with Workout World Malaga store owner and former Biggest Loser contestant Kristie Dignam. We were both mothers of large families (I have eight children aged seven to 20) who had let our fitness and health take second place to everything else in our lives. Back then our friendship was based in McDonald's, where we'd sit, talk and eat while our young ones played in the playground.

When Kristie began her weight loss journey on The Biggest Loser Series One, I was about to travel around Australia with my family. That's where my fitness journey began.

My kids set daily fitness challenges for me – running up and down sand dunes and putting up family-sized tents were some of them. After six months travelling Australia's east coast, my newly-improved active lifestyle helped me lose around 25kg!

By this time I'd established a whole range of ‘rules' for myself around exercise and diet, helping me achieve weight loss. I cut my meal sizes in half; I made sure I drank plenty of water each day; I stopped eating when my body told me it was full and I avoided eating after 7pm and I gave my leftovers to the kids.

I made sure I was more physical than ever before!

When Kristie finished The Biggest Loser we continued our fitness journey together even though we were a country apart. I discovered I was capable of achieving so much more in the area of personal fitness with the advice and encouragement Kristie offered me and it didn't take long before I broke the 100 kilogram mark - numbers I hadn't seen since my teens.

Kristie introduced me to my now well-worn home gym! I started with a step, a fit ball, a 20kg dumbbell set and some instruction posters. With her help I learned how to vary my workout routines so I was getting the best out of my time. It wasn't long though before I was itching for a treadmill so I could really step up my cardio workouts and once again Kristie's advice proved invaluable when I bought my XFIT480.

Q. What do you enjoy the most about owning your own home fitness equipment?
A. Our XFIT480 treadmill is a piece of fitness equipment I love – and so does my husband! If I don't have time to get on the street for a run, if the kids are sick or if it's raining and cold, I jump on my treadmill for a workout. I stick the headphones on too, so I still get my ‘me' time and nobody can interrupt!

I've also joined a running club, started doing interval training during my lunch break and even completed a half marathon! From someone who couldn't run from one telegraph pole to another a couple of years ago being able to run half marathon was a massive achievement for me. These days my daily workout involves weight training, toning with my fit ball, and heaps of cardio. The biggest problem I have now is fighting with my 16 year old son over the dumbbell set!

Home fitness equipment is a life saver! Whenever I'm stressed I make the most of a boxing bag, imagining myself in a boxing ring with three minute rounds and 30 second breaks. This chills me out immensely!

At the age of 38 I now have more energy than ever! Having Kristie's support – keeping me going – has been a godsend.

I'm now around 75kg and my ideal weight is 72kg but I still fit into a good pair of jeans!

My family is now healthier and happier than ever. We used to be a family of TV watchers. These days we love our home gym and our local parks and beaches. All our physical activities bring us closer as a family.

Q. How is your fitness equipment set up at home?
A. Most of my home fitness equipment is set up in our family room. Previously my treadmill was positioned in front of the TV. That was designed to encourage my kids to use it more often. It helped me establish a workout routine, too. I used to watch my favourite half hour TV show of an evening while working out on the treadmill. Eventually, as I grew more disciplined with my workout, I moved the treadmill into a separate room.

Q. What were the biggest lessons you learnt about health and fitness during your recent weight loss challenge?
A. That you can achieve more than you think! It's all about setting short and medium term fitness goals and not getting down if you slip up along the way! Also it's vital to be realistic about fitness goals and that way you're more likely to stick with it. Also, my weight loss was a gradual achievement. It's the safest way.

Having a mentor or a support network around you to support you during your fitness journey is a huge help. Kristie's been there for me all the way.

Q. As a manager at Workout World Malaga, what are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
A. Helping locals with their personal fitness goals is the highlight for me. I've been on a successful weight loss journey, with its highs and lows - so I can relate to what many Australians are going through and I can help them make the changes they need.

Q. What business philosophy do you follow?
A. I'm a firm believer in being honest with my customers. For instance, if a customer asks me a question I can't help them with, I will give them an honest answer. For example, a customer with some knee problems inquired about what weight training exercises were suitable for his needs. I directed him back to his physiotherapist and invited him to visit our store once he'd received the advice he needed.

Workout World always advises customers to seek professional assistance from their physician before starting a workout regime. It's about working out safely – it's paramount.

Q. What are your health and fitness goals in 2010 and how will you achieve them?
A. I want to run a marathon before I'm 40 and reach my ideal weight of 70kg.

Q. What do you enjoy most about being physically fit?
A. Exercise makes me feel fantastic. I'm more patient, I'm happier and I don't crave the ‘bad' foods that I used to. It's also very satisfying to be able to try on a pair of jeans and feel like I look pretty good, a huge jump from a few years ago when I would walk out in tears because nothing fit.

Q. If there was any type of home fitness equipment you would like to own to add to your collection what would it be and why?
A: I'd get the Avanti 4-way stand which lets you perform chin ups, push ups, dips, knee raises and also has the boxing bag, speed ball (which I love!) and reflex ball so I can get into the cardio. My whole family would benefit from and it would help me take my personal fitness to the next level.

If I won the lottery I'd buy the Super Tuff AXT1 corner unit and smith because it's just so versatile. I don't think there is a move you can't do on this gym, from cable cross over to chest presses on the smith, it has a big weight stack and it doesn't take up a lot of space. We just got the Torque7 gym in to the Malaga store though and I think it might become my latest lotto winning fantasy… so small and yet it has pretty much everything a girl could want…including weight-assisted chin ups and push ups!

Q. What advice do you give friends and family about buying fitness equipment?
A. Buy home fitness equipment you will enjoy using! If you don't, the equipment will just sit in the corner of your living room! And always try before you buy, push the resistance right up and see how strong the machine is, that's always a good indication of how the machine will stand up.

Q. Do you have any tips to share with people who are looking to lose weight at home?
A. Throw out anything you don't have the resistance not to eat. Don't carry cash on you, so you won't be tempted to buy junk food at the service station. Allow yourself a ‘cheat day' in your workout schedule and/or your diet regime. If you don't allow yourself any treats, the chances are you'll binge eat in the future. If you're looking for quality fitness equipment, talk to the fitness equipment experts at Workout World about finding your feet in fitness. Oh… and never give up!