Coaches

Mathew Reid and Lauren Saunders have come together to create a one-of a kind fitness and weight loss program. Both Mathew and Lauren come from a different business/athletic background, and feel these differences compliment each other perfectly.

Mathew Reid, has proven to excel in several aspects of his life including, business, coaching and athletics. Mat currently owns the Runners Den in Waterdown, and coaches the Fighting Koalas Triathlon Team, Canadian National Triathlon Team, and the Great Weight Loss Challenge Waterdown/Hamilton. This experience has given him valuable and unique knowledge as to the fitness/athletic needs of different individuals.

Lauren Saunders comes from a large athletic background and commitment to physical activity. Lauren is currently in teachers college at Brock University, with the hopes to become a physical education teacher. Throughout Lauren's four years in university she has taken several courses in health, nutrition, physical fitness, and weight loss. She was also co-coach of the Great Weight loss Challenge in Waterdown/Hamilton which has proven to be very successful. With the same business plan, Lauren plans to make the Burlington challenge just as successful.

Background

The first session of the Great Weight Loss Challenge started July 1st 2009. The group expanded rapidly in just a few weeks to 17 members. Since the first session was such a success, Lauren and Mathew decided to spread the idea to other locations. Throughout the 9 weeks the individuals dropped alot of weight, had more energy, and felt healthier. Participants also enjoyed getting a personalized schedule, having there own coach to be accountable too and meeting a few friends along the way.

Goals

To inspire people to change there lives by becoming more physically active
To help clients develop healthy eating patterns.
To educate, support and motivate clients to meet their weight loss goals, and to maintain constant communication with them in the process.
To optimize the experience of clients by ensuring that there plan/workout meets their personal fitness level and goals are measurable/realistic.
To ensure Great Weight Loss participants are always in a positive atmosphere, enjoy workouts, and meet some like-minded people.

Testimonials

"I originally started the challenge not really to lose weight but to train to do The Weekend to End Breast Cancer - a 60 km two day walk through the streets of Toronto . Mat did up a program and I thought "no way am I going to do all this". I started attending the sessions and found out that while I may not like doing some of the exercise – I was very glad I did them. So many people have said to me "but you could do this on your own" and the thing is maybe I could - however I wasn't. Even when I missed a practice because I had to be accountable to Mat, I would make up the workout on another day, but I found that I didn't put as much effort into it as I did when I was with the group.

I finished all 60 km of my walk and felt great - yes, my feet were sore however I didn't have a lot of muscle aches or pains and I would say a big part of this is because of my training I did with the Runner's Den. Even if you are not training for a big event, I just feel better because I am exercising and eating better and even though I started the challenge ½ way through, I was still able to lose 12 lbs and 4 inches in a month. The software for The Biggest Loser is very easy to use and Mat is always available to go over and coach you through things. I am looking forward to doing more clinics with the Great Weight Loss Challenge to help me stay in shape."

"My name is Bonnie is I attended the Great Weight Loss Challenge through Runner's Den Waterdown this past summer. Mat Reid sat down with me and designed a fitness schedule for the 10 weeks of the program with my workouts getting longer, harder and faster every two weeks. I have to admit; when I first looked at the workout I thought "No Way" was I going to be able to do it. Mat also set me up on the Fighting Koala's Triathlon Team website and made me accountable for all my workouts. I had to complete a weekly record of my workouts, how I felt, slept and my effort levels. I loved this part of the program, especially when I could see how well I was doing!

Everyone at the clinics cheered me on (and I them) and together we helped each other keep going through some very strenuous clinics. By the end of the summer I had gone from almost completely sedentary to working out six days a week anywhere from 20 mins to over an hour. I feel the best I have felt in years and hope to keep this lifestyle for the rest of my life. I regret not reaching my weight goal but that was completely due to not completing the food logs and submitting them. I am positive had I treated the diet the same as I treated the fitness schedule I would have won the contest!!! I feel like a new person thanks to the Mat and all the staff at the Runner's Den Waterdown!

Thank you, Bonni