Support Stuart Row the Channel for Charity
It can be hard to find the motivation to get fit and keep to a training programme long term but being healthy really is a way of life that can make a huge difference to your life - and others.
Stuart Bennett lost eight stone, climbed Kilimanjaro and raised money for the NSPCC.
Kokova Magazine caught up with Stuart Bennett as he trains for his row across the English Channel this September and found out what keeps him motivated.
In previous years he has raised money for the NSPCC . This year he is raising money to help the Ahoy Centre...
On September 8th 2012, six of us will be trying to row the channel to raise money for the AHOY Centre.
We have six months of practice session on the Thames, plus many hours of personal training and development to be fit enough to accomplish this.
The AHOY Centre provides life changing water activities and a community for adults and young people, whether able-bodied or disabled.
AHOY provides an environment free of labels or pre-conceptions, where people are free to grow. They also offer school activities as a special experience day or as part of an educational programme of activities supporting the National Curriculum.
I have been involved in charity work for some years now and climbed Kilimanjaro to raise money for the NSPCC in 2010; a trip I shall never forget.
I've quite a fear of heights so climbing up the Great Barranco Wall 
was possibly the scariest thing I've done in a long time.
Since then, I've taken part in several ventures, all raising money for the NSPCC.
The Yorkshire Three Peaks was particularly difficult as we had torrential rain but it was great in that it saw many of the Kilimanjaro group all back together again.
This year, I've jogged up the Gherkin raising money again for the NSPCC; a chance to climb up to the 38th floor, covering over 1000 steps - which was an absolute killer but completed it in a very respectable time..
And so to present day, where I work towards September - training for the big day - and raising money.
The best bit of the training is our regular trips up to Greenwich to practice on the Thames 
itself and to learn to work as team, to all row together.
I'm hoping also that I provide somewhat of an inspiration to some people who think exercise is a bad thing.
I make no secret of the fact that in 2003 I used to weight in at just short of 22 stone and would not walk to the shops let alone jog.
Since then I've lost 8 stone and have never enjoyed being out and about more.
There's no quick fix or wonder drug - but a healthy diet and exercise will guarantee results.
Cheers,
Stuart
Stuart has created a website to keep people informed about what he is doing and why they have sponsored him.
For more details visit www.rowthechannel.com