iafrica.com?s Rob Peters is one month into his ?Shaping Up? challenge and it?s time to see if he has been keeping his end of the bargain or simply living a lie ? there?s nowhere to hide as our Head of Sport undergoes his first follow-up assessment! Read all about and watch the video right here!

One month down ? three more to go ? and I am beginning to wonder if the pain will ever go away? My clothes are looser (slightly), and I certainly have a spring in my step ? which may or may not be due to lack of feeling in my calves ? but each workout seems harder than the next.

John is a master of upping the game. Intensity is the key and he never lets up. The same can be said of all the Transfit trainers really. I, however, also have myself to blame for their eagle-eyed scrutiny?

I rather foolishly e-mailed John at the beginning of week three to request that he keeps me on my toes ? if he needs to embarrass me publically, so be it. There is method to my madness, however, as I have a history of slacking off when it comes to exercise regimes and diets. So, I figure the best way to ensure that I stay focussed is to have a group of highly-motivated (teetering on the masochistic) personal trainers cracking the whip.

You see, if I was to tell the truth, I had begun dropping the weights in group ahead of time, cutting my pace on the treadmill, and skipping a repetition here and there ? in short I was like the fat kid in gym class, the master of dodging anything resembling hard work?

My e-mail has the desired effect as John hounds my every move at the next group session.

?Don?t sell yourself short!? he bellows as I tackle the treadmill.
?You know you can do better than that! Pick it up!? John urges as I lunge down the length of the circuit.

He is tireless. Think of the drill sergeant in every army you have ever seen and you will have a pretty good idea of John?s role in my group sessions. And the clincher is he?s not even taking the group!

Time to assess

Another reason I had asked John to take me to task was because of my looming assessment. You will remember that the initial one was not exactly exemplarily and while I feel a hell of a lot fitter ? and lighter on my feet ? I am wracked by nerves ahead of my first real ?reveal?.

First-up I find myself back in the ?scale-room? and while I do not feel as hesitant as my first visit, I am still struggling to come to terms with this aspect of my training. Thankfully the callipers are no longer necessary. John explains that they will no longer consider the fat percentage as there are too many variables involved. So they will judge my progress on weight and measurements?

All I hear is ?no more callipers pinching my fat rolls?.

The results are good. I would have liked to have dropped more, but then I can still stand to drop more carbs in my diet - so I can?t complain.

Next up is the treadmill. One month ago 2km took me 14.28 minutes to complete and I was near death when I finally limped off the machine. I am determined to slash my time on the run and like a thoroughbred race horse (allow me this one) I pin my ears back and launch into the challenge.

John is impressed with result and even I can allow myself a generous pat on the back. I am ridiculously unrealistic when it comes to weight loss and fitness gains, which generally leaves me disappointed, but even I cannot believe the improvement I have made in just 30 days?

The 1km row does not go as well. My choice of shorts does not help the cause as I end up flat on my back, feet hooked into the stirrups, curses spilling out of my mouth as slide off the seat. I manage to knock off a bit of time, but not a hell of a lot and my joy from the run is quickly tempered.

The sit-ups and push-ups, in particular the latter, lift my mood again as I show impressive improvements once again. I allow myself a brief smile as my assessment comes to an end ? a job well done.

Although it is a job not finished?

John informs me after the push-ups that he is adding another exercise to this month?s assessment ? the bike, 10 minutes, level 10. It seems a month ago I was unable to even attempt the bike, my red face, laboured breathing and quaking legs apparently an indicator of that?

So, it?s down to the bike. The next 10 minutes I turn the air blue as I squeal my way through the ride. My legs feel like they are no longer attached to my body and my head begins to throb from the exertion ? like I said, it never seems to get any easier.

Once the 10 minutes is up, John sits me down to go through the session and comment on my improvement or lack thereof. Thankfully I seem to have made considerable strides in most areas and I can breathe a little easier. It?s good to know that I have not let the guys down, and truthfully I shudder to think what my next group session would have been like if I had stuffed up?

Below you can take a look at my assessment results.

Measurements:

  • Weight: 92kg ? 87.1kg
  • Chest: 105.5 ? 101.5
  • Right arm: 34 - 32
  • Left arm 31 - 30
  • Lower waist: 97.5 ? 93
  • Right upper thigh: 57.5 ? 55
  • Right lower thigh: 46.5 ? 46
  • Left upper thigh: 59 ? 57
  • Left lower thigh: 46.5 ? 46
  • Right calf: 39.7 ? 41
  • Left calf: 40.8 ? 42.5

    Total centimetres lost: 15

    Assessment times:

  • Push-ups (1 minute): 26 - 53
  • Sit ups (1 minute): 26 - 37
  • Run (2km): 14.28 ? 9.28
  • Row (1km): 3.35 ? 3.31
  • 10min bike: DNF ? 3.68km

    The improvement is pretty considerable I think, but the only problem now is, that in one month I am going to have to improve further or risk the wrath of John? My first 30 days is behind me, but there is still a long road ahead ? and the prospect of a before and after photo to spur me on!

  • Rob will be tracking his progress in a bi-weekly column so be sure to follow what is certain to be an emotional and amusing journey for our out-of-shape sports pundit right here on iafrica.com.

  • Any comments ? or advice ? for Rob? Have you say below!

  • To contact John Meintjes give him a call on 082 564 8594 or e-mail him at john.transfit@gmail.com

  • To get in touch with Transfit: e-mail them at info@transfit.co.za / or visit their website.