At age 46, Austin Cowburn felt “directionless” in his training and started gaining weight. This former runner and marathoner wanted to overcome his injuries and get back to peak form. This is how he does it.
Running has always been my go-to exercise. As a young man, I joined several running clubs and did pretty well in the 1995 New York Marathon. Weekday nights and Saturday mornings were spent at the track and at the pool. Aerobic exercise is familiar to me and I have used it all my life growing up. Looking back, it means that I didn’t have the knowledge and skills to get the full benefits of weight training.
After several years of directionless training, two more injuries and rehabs, and a poor diet, I gained weight. I felt like… I felt sluggish. My favorite clothes didn’t fit and my new clothes were smaller than I expected. I wanted to get back into the marathon, but to do that I needed to be fitter, stronger and healthier. So I turned to Ultimate Performance Manchester for help.
We started with the basics: monitoring and consistency with my diet. Transitioned. I eat a protein-blended berry smoothie in the morning, and scrambled eggs and three bowls of spinach in the morning. In the afternoon and evening, I ate red meat chili, mainly minced turkey, with lots of rice and vegetables such as peppers and tomatoes. I also enjoyed high protein yogurt.I had a delicious steak on the weekend.
We often forget how much of an impact our diet has on our mood, energy levels, and ability to train hard and get the most out of ourselves. By changing what I eat, I was reminded of the importance of basic food.
I worked out at the gym three times a week. It was usually from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. I was also running four times a week. During this time, I fell in love with running backs. He got away and there were no injuries. After that, there was no pain, no pain. Training, weight loss, and proper nutrition for my body have really helped me regain the smoothness of my movements.
It also helped with my energy levels and sleep. I felt mentally sharper, more productive, and more creative. People have told me my skin is glowing. Everyone in and out of the gym has been very positive, kind, free and really encouraging. My family is very proud of the results. I felt like the best version of myself.
I lost 24.6 kg (54 lbs) in 6 months and went from 28.2% to 11.6% body fat. Dropped from extra large to medium. I’ve been training, but now I’m eating more and building muscle mass. I want to maintain my gains and increase the number of exercises I have in my toolbox.
It’s great to say that more and better training helped me avoid injury. I am happier, more relaxed and more motivated. I feel better about myself.
I think anyone can do this. Set clear goals and ask for help. Whether it’s a professional trainer or just a friend who holds you accountable. You don’t have to change everything at once. We recommend that you do not put too much pressure on yourself from session to session. Enjoy your exercise. Rest and refuel properly.
Jesse Hicks is a Detroit-based writer and former feature editor for The Verge, specializing in long-form articles on science, health, and technology. He has contributed to Men’s Health, VICE, Harper’s and many other publications.
