MUD MUD MUD Mud Runners Unite!!

Winter is just around the corner and that means so is the 2011 DB Tough Guy and Gal.

Last year we were 40 strong - a blaze of bright orange Fitter Faster Stronger t-shirts. And so far for this year's event, we have 70 mad mud runners who have held up their hands and said count us in!....

SO WHAT'S ALL THE HYPE ABOUT?

The Tough Guy & Gal, or MUD RUN as we aptly refer to it, is ALOT of fun. This is the third year we've put in a team and every year the numbers have grown.

You will get WET. You will get MUDDY. You will get a bag of advertising along with a CRAPPY MUG. And you will be BACK FOR MORE next year.

If you want to find out more about the event go to www.toughguyandgal.co.nz and to see photos of last years event, check them out on the Fitter Faster Stronger Facebook page

(and while you're there, hit the LIKE button if you haven't already.)

IS IT HARD?

Well, it's as easy or hard as you make it. If you want to walk the whole distance that's fine. If you want to run hard, then the beer will be COLDER and the showers will be HOTTER when you get to the finish line.

DID SOMEONE SAY BEER?.. I'm in! How do I enter?

1) Fitter Faster Stronger team members all qualify for a $10 discount off their entry fee.

2) To be part of the team, you just have to buy a SPECIAL EDITION Team Training Mud Run t-shirt and wear it on the day (only costs $25 and it's better than the official been-there-done-that Tough Guy race tees)

3) You don't have to be doing Team Training to be part of the team - so bring a friend or unsuspecting family member - EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

4) You will need OLD SHOES and TAPE to - you guessed it - TAPE THEM ON

5) We will be doing the Auckland event on SUNDAY 3rd July

6) And, this is the important part...

ENTRIES OPEN APRIL 1ST. You need to get in early or you will MISS OUT! We have spoken to the event organisers and they expect it to sell out.

TO ENTER, go to www.toughguyandgal.co.nz and DOWNLOAD the entry form. Then fill it out, SCAN IT and SEND IT to kraig@fitterfasterstronger.co.nz

Then transfer your ENTRY FEE ($50) and T-SHIRT money ($25) to the Team Training Offshore Swiss Bank Account (email kraig@fitterfasterstronger.co.nz for details).

When we have received everyone's entry and payment we will send it all off. You will then receive your e-ticket 4 weeks later.

But wait, there's more...

THE T-SHIRT COMPETITION!!!

Each year we have a different coloured tee and a special design on the back. And usually there's a spelling mistake, but no prizes for being the first to tell us, sorry.

This year the tee will be LIME GREEN with RED ink - beautiful!

And we are opening up the design for you guys to come up with the 'MUD RUN CATCH PHRASE'

The WINNER will get their next 5 week Team Training block FREE!!!

Entries will be judged by a special panel of ONE, who we like to call The Stig (more accurately 'The Stick' due to his enviable aerodynamic physique)

But wait, there's STILL MORE...

We have been given 5 FREE ENTRIES to the Auckland race. To make it fair we will draw them out of a hat and let the lucky people know.

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!

www.toughguyandgal.co.nz

KRAIG'S KITCHEN The Difference a Good Diet Can Make

The boys have just had work out number three. Both are still smiling and Josh is reporting an improvement in his skin, saying that he's noticed it's not as oily as before. He's also no longer having trouble staying awake on the drive home from work.

Isn't it amazing how a simple change in your diet can change so many things in such a short time.

To keep them on the right track, we are giving them a few more things they can do with their food....

First up is a spice rub which you can use on beef, chicken, lamb or even vegetables.

SPICE RUB

Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons ground allspice
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons ground cardamon
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 teaspoons ground coriander
• 2 nutmegs freshly grated [or 6 teaspoons ground nutmeg]

Tips:

• Buy the freshest spices you can. Combine all spices in a clean jar, seal and store in a cool, dark place.
• Rub this spice mix into your meat or on vegetables before you cook them. Very simple but very tasty.
• You can purchase all these spices at the Birkenhead Aussie Butcher.

And even though the colder months are approaching here is a great salad to try...

SALAD (Serves 4)

Dressing:

• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp warm water
• 2 birds eye chillies, deseeded and finely chopped
• 1 tsp fresh ginger chopped finely
• 1 tsp fresh lemongrass [soft inner part only]
• handful of coriander leaves,roughly chopped
• Salad ingredients:
• 1-2 cos lettuce leaves inner leaves only
• 1 cucumber peeled then cut into ribbons use a potato peeler
• 2 carrots peeled then cut into ribbons with a potato peeler
• hand full of fresh mint leaves
• handful fresh baby rocket leaves
• 675g rump

1) Make Dressing by mixing all ingredients in a bowl.

2) Season rump with salt and pepper. Grill until medium rare. Rest 10 minutes, then slice across the grain thinly. Put into a bowl with the dressing and let it sit for 10 minutes.

3) Arrange the salad mix on large plate. Pour over dressing, then lay beef strips on top. Finish with fresh coriander leaves.

STAY ON YOUR GAME BOYS.

BATTLE OF THE BUTCHERS Week Two Begins

Well that's the first week done and I have to say the boys have done a fantastic job.

They both have colour in their faces! - not the pale, washed-out look they used to have. And both are reporting a huge lift in energy levels.

One of them told me a head of broccoli used to last a week now it's gone in one night. Their veggie intake has more than doubled.

Following the first weigh-in, Josh has lost 6.3 kg (4%) and Jeremy has lost 3.7kg (3%) - after only one week!

WELL DONE BOYS.

KRAIG'S KITCHEN Ginger Beef Stir Fry

With the BATTLE OF THE BUTCHERS underway, the contenders - Jeremy and Josh - are having to change what they eat in a big way.

Ginger Beef Stir Fry is a very easy meal to prepare which the boys will be having for this dinner one night this week.

Here's how to make it for yourself at home....

GINGER BEEF STIR FRY (serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 30gm fresh ginger
• 2 tbsp peatnut oil
• 600gm beef, rump - slice thinly
• 2 gloves crushed garlic
• 120gm green beans
• 2 spring onions sliced thinlet
• 2 bok choy sliced
• 2 carrots - peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon grated palm sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh thai basil leaves

1) Chop ginger into thin slices.

2) Heat 1/2 oil in pan. Stir fry beef in batches until brown all over.

3) Heat remaining oil. Stir fry ginger and garlic [do not over cook]. Add beans; stir fry until tender.

4) Return beef, spring onion, sauces and veg to pan. Heat well make sure the sugar has dissolved.

5) Remove from heat. Stir though basil.

6) Eat.

Nutritional Breakdown:

Per serving 4.7g Carbs / 35g Protein

ENJOY!

BATTLE OF THE BUTCHERS Day One

Well the boys have just had their first Team Training workout with Cindy this morning.

It's 10am now and they are both still smiles and laughing. But lets wait and see how they feel tomorrow.

Neither of them can believe how much they get to eat. The difference between what they were eating and what they are eating now is huge. Fresh salads, lean meats and keeping their metabolism fired by eating every 2 to 3 hours.

Remember you can Back a Butcher to support Christchurch. Simply visit The Aussie Butcher Birkenhead and vote for who you think will lose the most weight, and how much he will lose. Each vote costs $5. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake appeal. The closest guess will WIN a Meat Pack to die for.

GO BOYS

BATTLE OF THE BUTCHERS Kraig's Kitchen

Today we gave the boys their first cooking lesson.

Nothing to hard - just an omlette for breakfast. And even though it was 3pm by the time I showed them how to make it, it didn't last long on the plate. Disappeared is seconds, accommpanied by lots of "uummmmmm" and "this is great, yum!"

They both had lots of questions concerning what they can have in the omlettle and how often they can have them.

I explained that they can have as many veges in it as they want, minus the three which they aren't allowed - potato, pumpkin and kumera.

Both the boys are highly motivated and ready to start their journey to leaner meaner healthier butchers.

WHO'S GOING TO WIN?

BATTLE OF THE BUTCHERS The Eating

For the past 3 weeks, leading up to the challenge, the boys have been keeping a food diary for us. Turns out they both have to make major changes to their food and to the way they eat.

Here's an example of a typical day for one of them....

• 10.15am First food of the day: 6 pieces sushi, banana, 2 teriyaki kebabs, muesli bar
• 4.30pm (they call this 'Lunch') Ham, cucumber, cheese, sandwich. Yogurt, banana
• 7.00pm Dinner: Roast chicken, corned beef, coleslaw, potato salad
• Snacks: Roast chicken sandwich
• Drinks: 1.5tr water, 10 beers, 10 330ml bourbon ,600ml coke zero

Here's an example of what they will be eating...

• Breakfast: 3 poached eggs 1 piece wholemeal toast
• Morning tea: 1 small tub of yogurt, 1 piece of fruit
• Lunch: 150gms lean beef/chicken large coleslaw with added tomato, capsicum, cucumber, olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing
• Afternoon tea: Protein shake, 1 piece of fruit
• Dinner: 150gm lean beef/chicken/fish, unlimited veg or salad
• 30min before bed: Protein shake with water

The boys are avoiding ALL alcohol and energy drinks. Plus they will have to drink at least 3lts of water a day.

They are in for a big shock when we show them what they have to eat.

BON APPETIT.

BATTLE OF THE BUTCHERS Now meet the Beauty

So you have met the boys {the Beasts} now meet the Beauty - The Lovely Cindy.

Cindy will be looking after the boys while they are training with TEAMTRAINING.

She has been a personal trainer for 7 years now, but has had a life time commitment to healthy living an staying fit. She is also a mother to 5 children, so keeping these two in line won't be a problem for her.

STAY TUNED.

BATTLE OF THE BUTCHERS Meet the Contenders!

Two heavy-weights of the Butcher industry, going toe-to-toe to raise funds for Christchurch and to get themselves fit and healthy.

JEREMY 'the Boss'

30 years old and a butcher for 8 years, Jeremy tells me he used to be a very active person involving himself in diving, hunting and fishing. But having bought the butchery 3 years ago, he hasn't had much time for anything except working long hours. He loves to cook and likes to eat it more. He hopes the battle will help him get his fitness back and lose the kilos he has packed on over the last few years.

JOSH 'the Challenger'

Josh is 22 years old and has been a butcher for 6 years. He has 2 children. He gave up smoking in May last year, started to taste his food again and as a result has piled on the kilos. He has rising to the challenge at getting the chance to beat the boss.

Both boys have familys and this is the most important reason they are doing the Battle of the Butchers challange to lose weight and get fit so they can enjoy there children growing up.All chilren need there dads.

THE STATS

Jeremy: 30 years old / 119.6kg

Josh: 22 years old / 143.5 kg

HOW THE BATLLE WILL BE FOUGHT AND WON

The boys will join Cindy at TEAM TRAINING for 15 weeks. We will be weighing them each week and posting the results here. The winner will be the highest percentage of weight lost. We will have a winner at week 5, week 10 and week 15.

BACK A BUTCHER TO HELP CHRISTCHURCH

Visit the Aussie Butcher Birkenhead and put a $5 vote on who you reckon will lose the most weight. All money goes to Christchurch and the winner will get the hell meat pack.

GOOD LUCK BOYS!!