In partnership with NiQuitin
The winners of Quit To Fit 2019 will be rewarded with a €2,000 holiday.
Ten weeks would have seemed like an incredibly high mountain to climb when we started our Quit To Fit challenge. Now, we’re finally on the other side of it.
Each of our seven teams have made it, and each of them deserve credit for doing so. There can only be one overall winner, but it’s only right that we take a moment to consider how far everyone has come.
When we first announced our Quit To Fit 2019 teams, we told them there was a €2,000 holiday up for grabs. The time has come to choose a winning team for this incredible prize, and it’s none other than Lorna and Nicola Kavanagh from County Galway.
Both have done extremely well and achieved everything they set out to do, and made significant improvements in their cardiovascular fitness levels in the last 10 weeks. To see just what we mean, take a look at the improvements in the results of their VO2 tests (a way to gauge a person’s cardiovascular health) below.
Lorna
- New VO2 – Max 41.2
- Previous VO2 – Max 33.5
- Improvement – 23.0%
Nicola
- New VO2 – Max 42.6
- Previous VO2 – Max 35.0
- Improvement – 21.7%
These results of course contributed to their win, but it was their commitment to the challenge that really sealed the deal. What led to them being crowned winners of the Quit To Fit challenge 2019 was that they were a constant source of positivity and showed eagerness to improve, as well as the fact that they consistently created quality social posts to help others join in.
Nicola said that because they were so busy with the Quit To Fit challenge, she found giving up a lot easier than expected.
”Overall I think we have been so busy and active with our new routines and daily lifestyles that we haven’t found the quitting part tough,” Nicola said. “Of course we have had the odd craving here and there but after four or five weeks past I think we can both say that we get very few cravings.’
Lorna knew that this was her time to quit. Throughout the challenge, it was a strong determination to improve her own health that really kept her focused.
”I was really ready to quit this time and was honestly glad to have a reason not to smoke. After the V02 test and having to see a cardiologist I became very conscious about the impact it was having on my health. Taking part in this competition I’ve been so focused on getting fit and trying to get my heart working in a normal range that apart from the odd fleeting craving I haven’t really thought about smoking at all,’ Lorna said.’
Laura and Raul, our two Quit To Fit coaches who’ve been working with the contestants throughout the 10 weeks said they’re proud of each and every one of them.
“It’s easy to underestimate the amount of work, both emotional and physical, that our seven teams have put into this challenge,” Raul said. “Their dedication to seeing this through has been inspiring and I’ve been struck by their honesty in sharing how tough this has been at times.
“But here we are, at week ten which is both an ending and a beginning. Remember what is possible and continue on this journey; share your experience widely and in the coming months, when you go through some difficult moments, look back at the videos you shot and the words that you wrote. You are all winners.”
Laura said; “”I am so proud at how far each of these teams have come. I have been following their progress over the past 10 weeks and the enthusiasm and energy that they each brought to the challenges was remarkable.
“To think that they were all smokers 10 weeks ago and that now, with determination and focus they are smoke free, is fantastic. The challenge proves that with support from others, distraction techniques and sheer grit anyone can quit cigarettes! My sincerest congratulations to each and every participant.”
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In partnership with NiQuitin
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