final results:
weight loss = 14lbs
inches lost = 4″ chest
4″ waist
For the first time in what feels like a lifetime I am actually able to meet my own eyes in the mirror. Ray has taken a total couch potato, who was worried that he’d never live to see his boys finish school, let alone become men and find their own place in the world and made him more confident, energetic, happy and above all grateful.
The transformation for me has been incredible. In six weeks, I am down a stone in weight, lost 4inches and counting from my waist and chest and have gained visible results in muscle on my arms chest, legs and shoulders. I feel quite literally like a new man and all of this is down to the incredible work of Ray and the coaches at CF Southern Legion.
halfway update:
We have just started our third week and its been a real rollercoaster few weeks. Week one shot by in a blur, although the joints and muscles in my body would disagree. All of the group have made serious inroads already. I’ve gone from barely able to do 10 push ups to doing 4 sets of 10 down-ups which are the bastard cousin of the dreaded Burpees. I’ve also found that my chunky legs and history of cycling have given me an excellent base to work on squats and I’m getting better every session.
Change wise, my shirts and tops are all fitting better. There is space between me and my t shirts whereas before I was busting at the seams. My posture is changing too, I’m walking taller and standing straighter. But the biggest change has been with my moods. I’ve been an anxiety sufferer for around 7 years and have been on medication for it for around 5. At my worst even a high dosage would see my moods go from upbeat to downbeat in a matter of hours. Since beginning with Southern Legion I am feeling better after every workout and the buzz lasts as well. I wake up now full of energy, alert and am beginning to feel confidence creeping slowly back in.
Because of the positive changes I’ve seen already, my dream ambition of losing 4 stone before my 40th Birthday has gone from being what I’d have deemed impossible to achievable. The Southern Legion coaches have given their words that they will support me all the way and having now signed up for the additional six week transition course beginning in March for the first time in a long time I feel that I can do this and I might finally break free of the poor choices and habits of the past. Every step is a small one but I don’t feel like I’m making those steps alone any more.
My reason for joining the programme:
I have always been a big lad, since dislocating my knee at the age of 11 and gaining a massive amount of weight and being unable to burn off any calories. In senior school I discovered the after school gym and started to lose some chub but have slowly, steadily and surely gained weight since leaving College. I have a very sedentary job (IT) so spend most of my life sat on my arse. But then I had kids…
Now I worry that I can’t do stuff other dads can, I worry that my lifestyle will cause them issues in the future, I don’t want to be a burden, or die young from heart failure or as a result of my weight. I have had enough of XXL shirts, of hiding under baggy clothes in summer, of looking at myself in the mirror and feeling a mixture of despair and disgust. I know that other people have used exercise to help with mental health issues as well and as a sufferer of anxiety related issues I’d like to try and use the physical to help balance me better.
Essentially, I want to live. Well, Longer and better.