There's some pretty stiff competition lining up alongside me for this year's Canberra Celebrity Heart Challenge. Warren Apps and Jamie Wilson from Coordinate could skip pretty well; University of Canberra's Vice-Chancellor Stephen Parker bragged about how he had a kale salad for breakfast; and Chief Minister Andrew Barr rocked his retro red headband.
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We gathered at the University of Canberra Sports Hub for the launch of the 12-week challenge, all ready to be more active, eat healthier and raise funds to support the Heart Foundation.
If first impressions are anything to go by, trainer Lee Campbell from B.Firm has his work cut out for him over the next three months.
But at least we're all starting with great enthusiasm.
Heart Foundation ACT chief executive officer Tony Stubbs said a lot of celebrities have decided to work in pairs this year to support each other with their training and fundraising goals.
Catherine Carter from the Property Council and I, despite never having met, quickly decided that sounded like a good idea and booked in a walk. She too is a busy working mother and I'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about while we pound the pavement.
Mix 106.3 presenter Kristen Henry was busy doing her breakfast show this morning, but said afterwards that her 4am daily starts left her constantly fighting the feeling of jetlag and consequently she has only had phases when she has exercised.
"I teach little kids to dance in my spare time and a couple of weeks ago, I was puffed after a half-hour class," she said.
Henry also had an important goal to aim for – she has her first gig of bridesmaid at a friend's wedding in March.
My goal is to lose some weight, take better care of myself, and be active every day.
Stubbs reminded us that about two-thirds of Canberrans are overweight or obese and that heart disease is the biggest killer of men and women in the ACT.
Who wants to be a statistic?
The celebrities taking part in the challenge are: Andrew Barr, Chief Minister, and his brother Iain Barr, from the ACT Government; Rod Cuddihy and Kristen Henry, from Mix 106.3 Canberra FM; Professor Stephen Parker, from University of Canberra; Warren Apps and Jamie Wilson, from Coordinate; Catherine Carter, from the Property Council; Karen Coe and Claudia Vannithone, from Canberra Women in Business; Paul Walshe, from ActewAGL; Dan Stewart from Land Development Agency; and David Dawes, from ACT Government.
Bring it on.
To donate to the challenge, go to https://canberrahearts.everydayhero.com/au/karen-1
