Joanne Gallinagh from Letterkenny won her dream holiday after taking part in the Rushe Fitness Summer Shape Up challenge.
The Rushe Fitness Summer Shape Up challenge came to a grand finale last week when the Letterkenny gym members were rewarded for their hard work.
Letterkenny woman Joanne Gallinagh was just off the plane from sunny Spain when she was announced as the overall winner of the popular challenge on Saturday 26th August.
Joanne will be planning a holiday to NYC very soon after taking home the coveted €1000 voucher for Atlantic Travel.
The Summer Shape Up event was a fun fitness craze with personal trainer and Donegal Woman columnist Emmet Rushe at the helm. It spanned across Donegal and the world as over 200 members of the Letterkenny gym and online community completed physical challenges, activities and achieved healthy eating goals, sharing photos and videos under the #summershapeup tag.
Rushe Fitness members celebrated their progress made of 8 weeks at a party at the Backstage Bar and Grill in Letterkenny’s Century Complex.
They toasted to their personal accomplishments and eagerly awaited the announcement of the prizewinner.
Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Rushe Fitness Summer Shape Up party, Backstage Letterkenny, 25th August 2017. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Rushe Fitness Summer Shape Up party, Backstage Letterkenny, 25th August 2017. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Rushe Fitness Summer Shape Up party, Backstage Letterkenny, 25th August 2017. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Rushe Fitness Summer Shape Up party, Backstage Letterkenny, 25th August 2017. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Rushe Fitness Summer Shape Up party, Backstage Letterkenny, 25th August 2017. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Rushe Fitness Summer Shape Up party, Backstage Letterkenny, 25th August 2017. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Emmet congratulated all members on their fun approach to his weekly challenges and their enthusiasm in classes. Joanne Gallinagh, who is a proud member of the 6am class crew, was stunned when Emmet called her name as the winner.
Joanne Gallinagh wins €1000 holiday. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Several other keen members won prizes in recognition of their commitment to the challenges. Bronwyn Walsh, Ronan Mc Bride, Martina Gillespie, Stewart McClean and Martina Mc Groarty all took home well-earned prizes.
L-R: Rushe Fitness prize winners Bronwyn Walsh (prize sponsored by the Shandon Hotel), Ronan Mc Bride (Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure), Martina Gillespie ( Atlantic Travel), Joanne Gallinagh (Overall winner of the Summer Shape Up €1000 holiday from Rushe Fitness) Stewart McClean (sponsored by Kelly’s Centra, Mountain Top) Martina Mc Groarty (Century Letterkenny). Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Joanne, like many of the members, got her friends and family involved in the challenges. She stayed devoted to the tasks even on holiday and consistently posted her meal photos in the Rushe Fitness members Facebook group.
Joanne leads a busy life running Beaus & Belles in Babyzone Letterkenny. She is a baby massage, toddler and kids yoga instructor and a mum to toddler Noah.
Joanne Gallinagh #summershapeup
Joanne tells Donegal Woman how she embraced the challenge and stayed motivated throughout the summer:
“From week 1 to week 8 there was such an amazing buzz in the gym… everyone was so motivated and eagerly awaited the weekly challenge. These I have to admit I loved!
“Once Emmet posted what it was my mind went into overdrive thinking what part of Donegal could I go to, to do the challenge. We went on our first family sun holiday last week and I was extra good with my food choices and did water aerobics throughout the week.
“Emmet and Maria certainly didn’t have an easy task choosing the winner on Saturday night, I think my face said it all when Emmet called my name out.
“For me, this summer’s Shapeup has left me happy and confident inside and out,” Joanne said.
For Joanne, the challenge wasn’t about losing weight, it was about staying consistently healthy and happy. Now she is looking forward to the holiday of a lifetime as she plans ahead for a trip to New York.
Emmet Rushe and Joanne Gallinagh. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin
Emmet said: “It really was so difficult choosing a winner for the challenge as every one of my members is a winner.
“So many of the members excelled over the 8 weeks, but Joanne stood out from the start, posting consistently and motivating others, both during classes and around the group challenges. She is a deserving champion.”
Rushe Fitness would like to thank their sponsors for the other member prizes:
Kelly’s Centra Mountain Top
Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure
Shandon Hotel
Atlantic Travel
Century Letterkenny
Our columnist Emmet Rushe shares fitness advice every week on Donegal Woman. Click here to read his articles.
