As an 18 yo old I use to run around endlessly and play multiple sports. Over the years this slowly declined as I found my life getting busier with work. When the kids came there was next to no time for this. By the age of 39 I tried to run “around the block” and struggled just to make the first corner. My weight had slowly crept up to 82kg.
Although I was not obese I was considered as “skinny fat”. My blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose were high and with a family history of diabetes and hypertension the signs were not good. At this time I made a conscious effort to improve my health and fitness not only for my benefit but also for my kids so I could run and play sport with them. This is when I teamed up with Mike Evans at MEFIT, Your Personal Training Specialists Sutherland Shire!
Mike taught me the benefits of eating a healthy diet and got me into a regular routine of exercise including weekly sessions in his studio Gymea. Mike took the time to tailor a program that fitted in with my work and what I wanted to achieve. I lost 9 kg in 2 months. I found that with a combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise weight loss was easier than I thought. There is no secret. You just have to be motivated! I found that I was sleeping better and had more energy and better concentration at work. My wife and kids tell me I’m happier and more fun to be with! Soon I was able to run “around the block” and keep up with my 6 year old son. Mike also enrolled me into his boot camps which I found improved my overall fitness in areas I never thought I could improve. For the first time in years I was able to do push ups and sit ups. His boot camps were very friendly with a mixture of people from different backgrounds all trying to achieve the same goal.
That was 4 years ago. My son is now 10 and I can still keep up with him. We still run around the block but now we run from Cronulla to Boat Harbour and back. We finish off with a swim and then a healthy breakfast at Zimzala. Over the past year with the help of Mefit and a triathlon coach I’ve now completed a half ironman (1.9km swim, 90km cycle, 21km run). Next year I’ll attempt a full ironman.
Not only has my health improved but my son will continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle. He will be entering his first triathlon in 2 months and asks me when can he be an “ironman”?