Despite the weather, there were smiles on everyone's faces at the Walking Home 2010 event

Walking Home is an event to raise awareness of homelessness in our region and is a 37km walk from Queenscliff to Geelong, which is taking place this Saturday, 12th November.  Not only is Geelong’s Gym a sponsor, but we’re also going to be at the event giving out free leg massages and bottles of water and Gatorade… and of course, encouraging the several hundred (possibly thousand) walkers involved in the event.

But it doesn’t stop there… 10 of my Geelong’s Gym Team are also doing the walk and personally getting involved in this worthy event.

So, I’d like to put it to anyone reading this who is in the Geelong region… get out there on the day and support the walkers.  A friendly face welcoming them into the various pit stops can make all the difference in the world when they’re tired.  Or better yet, join the walk yourself – it’s not too late to register and there are a number of different entry points, so you don’t need to feel daunted by taking on the whole walk.

And if you can’t make it on the day, why not make a donation or buy a T-Shirt from Reception.

Homeless people don’t have a Christmas Tree, they don’t wake up to gifts on Christmas morning and they can’t cook a hot Christmas lunch… not to mention, they don’t have a home overflowing with family, friends and Christmas cheer.

That’s why what the Salvation Army does is so important… they not only provide a wonderful Christmas dinner for those in need, but they also provide a place for families to share time together.

This year, many homeless people in Geelong also received a small Christmas gift, which was donated by the generous members at Geelong’s Gym.  In the video below Lisa Dalla-Zuanna from the Salvation Army shares how these gifts will help people very much in need of them.

So we’d just like to say we hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a huge thank you to the Salvation Army and all our fantastic members at Geelong’s Gym.

Have you ever noticed when there’s a large sporting event happening in the world – like the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games or the Soccer World Cup – that there’s a surge in physical acitivity, both indoors and outdoors?

Choose cycling to get around town - it's fun, quick and you'll feel much fitter!

We certainly notice it at Geelong’s Gym.  Suddenly everyone gets inspired and people pour through our doors to take part in classes, workout in the gym and just generally get more active.  Maybe it’s because people start to recognise where a little physical activity and fitness can take them.

So, we are thrilled that Geelong is hosting the 2010 UCI Road World Championships next week. This event is the largest cycling competition Australia has ever hosted and it’s right here on our doorstep – literally! Many lucky residents will actually be able to look out their front windows and see world class cyclists racing by!

Some local residents may be wondering how they’re going to get around with so many road closures. And our suggestion is, make this upcoming week your fittest week ever, dust off your bike and join in the activity. You’ll be surprised at how fit you feel after a week of cycling to the gym, to work, even to get your groceries!

But whatever you do, make sure you enjoy being part of such an exciting event in Geelong.

Walking Home 2009

During the walk, the walkers camped out in the towns along the way and spoke to community groups about the impact of homelessness.

Two amazing outcomes were realized as a result of this event:

• Lots and lots of people wanted to help raise money to assist in buying shoes to give to homeless people.
• Lots and lots of people wanted the opportunity to walk an amazing distance that is way outside their normal activity regime.

This year, the Walking Home project is a one day event being held on Saturday 13^th November 2010…  a 50km walk from Queenscliff to Geelong and it’s open to the public to walk.  As the logistics of putting large numbers of walkers on the open road is too great, the rail trail will be used to the showgrounds and then the last leg of the walk is out on the streets.

There are also options of joining the walk at three alternative stages so you can do 20km, 12km or 5km if you prefer – so why not join the walk for the length which suits you best?!

A small entry fee is involved, as well as an opportunity to have family and friends sponsor your efforts.  Hopefully a lot of much needed money for Homelessness will be generated.

T-shirts are included in the 50km walk entry and also available for sale for people joining the walk at the various points.

And finally, here is your chance to walk and make a difference… not just to this worthwhile cause, but to your health and fitness.  A challenge, a goal to reach.

So put your best foot forward and start on this journey today. See the Walking Home notice board at Geelong’s Gym for the full training schedule and lots of helpful hints, plus registration details.

Geelong’s Gym is proud to be one of the sponsors of the Walking Home project and the training facility for the walkers.

Let me get you started…

“It’s Tuesday. It’s an ‘odd number’ day. My socks are black and I need white socks to train. My running shoes are in the other room and it’s too hard for me to go and get them. I don’t have running shoes. My gym shirt is in the wash…”

I’ll give the best submission a copy of my book “Secrets Of Marketing Experts Exposed” that sells for $39.95 to $44.95 in bookstores.

Go on, be creative and FUNNY!!!