They say the early bird catches the worm. If that's the case then surely Eleanor
would be the first one to catch it and knowing her generous spirit...she would give the worm away!

Elly is up every morning at 4am for her first cardio session of jog or power walk at 4.30am. But that's not all. She'll do her weight training at 6.30am but not before giving some of her time to train and inspire one (or more) of her "Breakfast Club" friends.

The Breakfast Club is a group of girls, lead by Eleanor Stewart, who get together at 7.30am every morning for breakfast after their earlybird training sessions at Les Mills City gym in Auckland. But the Breakfast Club is more than just about food, it's about comeraderie and a chance for the girls to keep themselve motived and focused on their fitness goals.

Although Elly is in hard training to compete at the CNI Champs and Nationals in November, with her ultimate goal of competing at the Worlds in 2004, she still has the time to help and share her weight training experience with those wanting some direction.

"My aim is to help people to stay fit" Elly says. "I've got spare time between 5.30am and 6.30am to share with my friends and I love to help them" she says. "I get alot of motivation from training them and it's good to be able to a smile on someone's face when they're changing shape or getting stronger".
" I want to help them stay on a healthy eating plan, and through the Breakfast Club, we can all swap ideas and help each other get through any food or exercise issues" Elly adds.

Its Elly's easy going nature and her commitment to training that inspired members of the Club to get in touch with Elly in the first place.

"I've always wanted to be able to do chins with weights and Elly is the only woman I know who could do it right so I asked for her help". Says 23 year old Tamina.
In just over a month Tamina is able to do proper chin ups and excited at the prospect she can put some weights on her.

Since being part of the Breakfast Club, Rose has changed her eating habits from Curry pie for breakfast and drinking 5 litres of diet coke a day to a sesnsible eating plan. "Since getting Elly's help I've lost 10kg in 4 months. In the long term I'd like to compete and now I think its achieveable"

Rose and Tamina say Elly's a great role model because "she looks like she knows how to train and trains hard herself everyday"." The Breakfast Club is great because we're eating all the same healthy food every morning together" Rose adds.

One of the group who's made the most dramatic change has been Tam White. With the help of the closeknit group and Elly as a tough task master Tam has managed to lose 7kg in the past 6 months. But that's not the half of it. Tam actually weighed 85kg in August 2003!

"I first saw Elly's story on Go Figure and I wanted to look like her. I lost alot of weight already but I was plateauing. So one day I went up to Elly and asked if I could train with her" said Tam.

And the rest they say is history but it hasn't been easy.

"She's a bitch when it comes to training" says Tam cheekily.
"Its hard but its good to feel and see the difference having a goal and direction can make".
" My husband says he dosesn't want his ex wife back!" she laughs.

Now Tam's well into her pre contest preparation and looking awesome for her dream to finally compete in a bodybuilding show, specifically the Pacific Island Champs in September.

Asked how long the Breakfast Club will be together, Tamina laughingly says
"forever.. or until Elly cuts the ties". But knowing Elly, you know that her friendship and
generosity will extend for months and years to come. And since Elly aims to 'look fabulous in her 50's (she's 41 now)' there's no doubt there will be plenty of other fitness fanatics who'll look up to Elly and for Elly to take them under her wing at the Breakfast Table.

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