Despite (or maybe because of) some joint problems that I found hampered me a lot on the trip to Italy for WDW last year, I became acutely aware, that my weight was slowly ramping up to the most I've ever known.
As the riding season ended for winter, I knew that things would only get worse over the 'festive' period and not only my general health but also my ability to ride a bike again could well be under threat unless I did something fairly serious.
During December, I not only tried to reduce the food and alcohol intake (yep, I failed with the alcohol) but I started looking for an alternative to the usual, 'go-to-the-gym-and-eat-less' approach.
I also wanted an exercise program that could be done just about anywhere with minimal equipment and by chance stumbled not only onto a 'Bootcamp' search but a great UK based guy called Gavin Walsh.
Gavin has altered the way I looked at fitness completely, instead of the 'exercise as much as you can and you can eat anything' view I used to have, I can now see that for anyone wanting moderate fitness and weight loss that more than half the battle comes from a super-clean diet, boosted with short, intense exercise intervals.
After scrutinising Gavin's various sites, I signed up at the end of Dec and started in earnest on New years day - NOT a resolution I might add but hopefully, new different way of life.
So, Good News First!
So far I've lost a stone in weight but more importantly, feel so much better and mentally positive, almost as though a bad hangover has been lifted.
Bad News:
Its F***ING TOUGH!
Sorry, no other way to put it. For the best results the strictest adherence to clean diet and good exercise have to be maintained:
Minimal Carbs
NO booze!
NO caffine!
NO additives.
At least 4 portions of veg and 2 portions of fruit on the initial program....
and these are just the basics.
6 weeks in now and I've surprised myself with how strict I have been with resisting rubbish and keeping on track with exercise, my aims were to lose a stone before March and hopefully feel more able to handle a bike again so I'm itching for the good weather now.
If you are looking for a truly 'holistic' approach to diet and exercise, with lots of individual support and if needed personalised advise, then I can thoroughly recommend checking out some of Gavin's site's:
http://www.gavinwalsh.co.uk/ http://www.thebootcamp.co.uk/ And his latest site and now forum that brings lots of specialist advice together:
http://www.walshthefataway.com/ It came as no surprise to me find out that Gavin used to be a Track Day junkie, posting a great photo of him getting some airtime at Cadwell
Posted by a unconnected but healthier, convert.
Best Wishes - Frank