A host of local business people gathered in the Greville Arms Hotel last Thursday, 22 January, for the launch of the 2015 Westmeath’s Fittest Company challenge.
The challenge, which raised over €12,000 for Irish Autism Action in 2014, is again taking place in conjunction with Maurice Looby Fitness, with this year’s funds going towards The Cancer support Sanctuary (LARCC), Multyfarnham.
At the launch of the competition, LARCC ambassador and judge of The Voice of Ireland, Bressie, spoke of the importance of physical health, and its connection to mental health, a subject he regularly speaks passionately about.
“There’s the physical side to cancer but also the mental sides families have to go through and that’s something we don’t tend to look at. After years of being blinded as a country, we seem to be waking up to the idea that people are actually human.”
Bressie spoke of the motivation required for physical exercise, and how to combat this.
“Everyone thinks they have to go out and cough their lungs up or go to a gym but can’t because they have self esteem issues. The whole thing is about baby steps. Baby steps will eventually turn into a marathon. The fact is if you don’t have the motivation to get fit, it won’t happen. It’s important to understand what your motivation is.Find your motivation and put it beside your bed. It’s a really simple thing, but everyone just needs the right motivation.”
Bressie gave advice to anyone starting into a new fitness regime for 2015, remarking on the facilities in Westmeath on offer. “With fitness, you need to take the scenic route and enjoy the process. We have a doorstop of support in Westmeath with some of the best places in Ireland to cycle and swim as well the many gyms open to the public.
ALAN MULLEN
Also speaking on the night was Alan Mullen, who is flying the flag for the Midlands in the current season of Operation Transformation.
d“I’m four weeks at Operation Transformation and had you asked me to come here four weeks ago, I’d have to crawl up the stairs. Exercise is everything. It’s like a switch in the back of your head. You have to be able to switch it on and say ‘it’s time to go.’”
