The famous English chef, Sarah Brown, recently said: “The only thing that ever sat its way to success was a hen….”
Well, I can tell you one thing – sitting was not something our Winter Challenge members did a lot during these past 13 weeks. They worked hard, extremely hard, and on Thursday evening we celebrated all of them at our “Jungle Fever”-themed prize giving function.
Of the 73 members who had entered this Challenge, 54 were successful, and I am convinced, more than ever, that these Challenges we host, are amazing tools – they keep the members immersed, goal-orientated, and excited. And this 27th Challenge at Mirna’s Aerobic studio brought our members together, like never before.
This one has also been the Challenge with the best improvement in body stats we have ever had. To reach a number of 48 workout sessions, in 13 weeks, seems very simple, but believe me, it was physically tough. Our members each had their personal challenges to deal with throughout…some struggled to recover from flu, others were plagued by injuries, and for others it was simply a matter of “life happening while they were making other plans…”
But the sense of accomplishment we experienced at the end, is incredibly overpowering – Everyone agrees that Winter Challenge 2024 was a confidence booster, a rewarding journey of personal growth and tracking progress, and I have experienced a renewed sense of passion from everyone, even those members who have been part of the studio and its Challenges for years.
Our top 10 contestants are selected by looking at the following criteria – improvement in body stats, number of workouts completed, number of Mini-Challenges conquered (a minimum of 3/5 was needed), and number of extra points earned (a minimum of 50/62 was required): Almarie van Aswegen was our overall winner, Martie Badenhorst came in second, and Lady B Maseko was 3rd. The rest of the top 10 were Abeda Vally (4th place), Benice de Wet, Izelde Zwarts, Hannelie Slabber, Stella Kalp, Rethia Naudé, and Merisha Naidoo.
Elize van den Heever, who joined our studio this winter for the first time, lost a massive 18,5kg, and 6 numbers in Visceral fat! She also rightfully earned the “Newcomer of the Year” title. Nikiwe Ngcobo dropped 10,6 kg, 8,1% body fat, and 5 numbers in Visceral fat. Bonolo Ramahulenyana, also a Challenge newbie, lost 10,2kg of body fat and 7,1% body fat. These 3 girls’ stats are record-breaking!
Our muscle improvement prize was awarded to Benice de Wet, who has also shown the best improvement from the end of the New Year Challenge to the start of our Winter Challenge. For the fifth consecutive year, Izelde Zwarts was crowned “Mini-Challenge queen”, and the following members received special recognition for earning every possible point in this Challenge: Abeda Vally, Almarie van Aswegen, Annecke Fourie, Corné Kemp, Leonie Prinsloo, and Martie Badenhorst.
Our best dressed members of the evening were: Mari, Izelde, Benice, Victoria, and Lady B! All the photos of our event will soon be posted!
16 of our members managed to complete 4 workouts from Monday to Friday, for 13 weeks out of 13 weeks. They are Abeda, Almarie (112 sessions), Annecke, Bonolo, Corné, Hanné, Izelde (114 sessions), Leonie, Lungile (121 studio sessions completed (2nd most sessions), Martha, Martie (102 sessions), Nikiwe (122 studio sessions completed (that’s most studio sessions done), Rethia, Rita, Stella, and Victoria. These girls were all in a lucky draw for a pair of Sweatgear pants – Congratulate to Corné, our winner.
Tannie Rita, our oldest Challenge member at 81 years, won the other lucky draw for week 9 to 13, Denise Mulder was the winner of our Sweatgear lucky draw, and Merisha Naidoo won R500 with our social media lucky draw.
Other members who received special prizes were: Izelde Zwarts, Quinita Stoltz, and Almarie van Aswegen (Elite athletes), Cindy Zwane (Go big or go home award), Mila Fereira (Strongest finish with 100 sessions), Hannelie Slabber and Annecke Fourie (Survivor awards), Victoria Manoel (Mirna’s Ambassador award), Onica Motlhatlhedi (Witty Winter Wonder Woman award), Stacey du Toit (most Challenges completed), Hanné Swart (Zoom member award), Carien Naudé (Little Miss Sunshine Award), Denise Mulder and Amanda van der Merwe (Special award for resilience), Yolanda Nieuwenhuis (Challenge Newcomer), Bonolo Ramahulenyane (Miss Personality), Susan Bothma (Sweaty Betty award).
Special gifts were awarded to every member who conquered all the Mini-Challenges: Amanda, Quinita, Denise, Susan G, Annecke, Corné, Gerda, Betsie, Tanya, Stacey, Lizelle, Leonie, Victoria, Zenta, Stella, Benice, Abeda, Hannelie, Rethia, Merisha, Martie, Almarie, Izelde, and Lady B.
Members who received Social Media awards are: Abeda, Almarie, Amanda, Annecke, Benice, Corné, Denise, Hannelie, Lady B, Leonie, Lizelle, Martie, Merisha, Rethia, Stacey, Stella, and Susan G. Sweatgear point awards were given to: Abeda, Almarie, Amanda, Annecke, Benice, Corné, Denise, Elize, Hannelie, Lady B, Leonie, Martie, Merisha, Rethia, Stacey, Stella, Susan G, Victoria, and Zenta.
A special word of thank you to Amanda from Manna en Kwartels, for the beautiful décor, a special thank you to Piet, Frans, and Jaco, for all the trouble they went through to enable the legendary beautiful blue, big bird’s presence in the studio for décor. Mari, for the beautiful design of our certificates and Challenge posters, Nicci from Niche Printing, Adele for the stunning photos, as always, and Anton, for assisting us with the sound. Thank you, Odette, for all your assistance and care, throughout the years, with our functions. Jacqueline and Michelle, your presence, example, and support during this Challenge was incredible – thank you!
To every sponsor, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your contribution to our Challenge: Sweatgear, Mirna’s Aerobic Studio, Amanda from Manna en Kwartels, Susan from Flower Box, Susan from Zoe Laser Arts and Crafts, Almarie from Shekinah Creations, Schalk from ProBag, Carol and Natie from Burlec, Benice from Nails by Benice, Amanda from Thalita Cumi, Danelle Humphrey Photography, Chanel from BohoBlossom, and Suzanne Sandenbergh for the Endormology sponsorship.
To every member who was part of our Winter journey, thank you. Your dedication, energy, and commitment have been inspiring. Whether you’ve completed this Challenge with flying colours, or whether you’ve just made it, your presence has made our fitness family stronger, more vibrant, and more motivating. And, like Lewis Howes once said: “Remember to treat every small victory like you just won the Superbowl.” Be proud of your effort, and YOUR journey, because being proud of yourself is not arrogant; it is a sign of self-respect.
I am proud of you.
Five words. So simple. Yet we voice them all too rarely.
I’m proud of you. Of me. Of us. Of everything we are. Of us, as the people we are.
Of everything we have already felt, learned, mastered.
Thank you for opening up to me, and for being so honest, especially during our InBody sessions, thank you for sharing your thoughts, your fears, and your hopes. Thank you for giving so much of yourself. Thank you for showing up, not just for yourself, but for each other. The support and camaraderie that you bring to every session create an environment where we can all grow and push our limits together. It’s because of members like you that we’ve built something truly special.
Your loyalty means the world to me, and I am so grateful for everything we’ve achieved together. Here’s to continuing our journey, smashing goals, and supporting one another, every single step of the way. Follow the link on YouTube to watch the beautiful tribute of our members…
Yours in fitness
Mirna
082 779 0507
PS: Our Summer Challenge starts on Monday 16 September, watch this space!