Gareth Evans, 44, works in the financial industry and lives in Birmingham.
Before the blockade, I tended to sit down and didn’t take care of myself. It used to weigh about 16 stones, but it gradually creeps up. I was so tall, 6 feet 1 inch, that I didn’t notice any weight gain, so I was very scared of the weight of 20 stones. I decided to start walking, mainly as a way to get out and clean my head during the blockade. And I started walking about 6-7 miles a day on the canal near my house. In eight months I returned to about 16 stones without actually trying. Every walk also had a great mental health benefit. I found it easier to figure out the problem.
After that, I had an accident where I slipped on ice and broke my ribs in two, so I couldn’t go out so much, so I decided to go on a diet. I relied on takeaways, snacks, sodas, and overdrinks. I cut it all out, actually started reading the food label, counted the calories and confirmed that my quantity was more rigorous. I quickly realized that my lack of knowledge about nutrition was very shocking. The difference from changing the diet was huge. In the next 6 months I lost 4 more stones.
When I got up, I didn’t have much time to walk, so I went to the gym and started strength training. I love the difference. I felt much stronger and was able to deadlift about 80kg from virtually nothing.
There is a big difference from the previous look and feel. As she loses weight, she loses about 10 inches from her chest and wears trousers with a waist of 32 inches. I have much more energy now. This is the biggest difference, and you’ll sleep much better than before. The improvement of self-confidence is also large. People who have known me for years take a double take before they realize it is me.
My training week
I use my personal trainer and gymnastics classes to do resistance training at the gym three to four times a week. This is non-weight training like static hold. I replaced walking with swimming and added 30 minutes of swimming after each gym session or class.
What I eat in a day
I don’t deny myself, but I pay more attention to potion controls and label content. I feel more educated about what I eat.
- Breakfast: fruit porridge
- Lunch: Mushroom-grilled omelet
- Supper: chicken curry rice
Lifestyle aide
- Caffeine: Yes – but only in the morning
- Alcohol: I still have a drink, but not as much as before
- Sleep: about 8 hours a night
As Jessica Salter told me
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