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Hi there, my name is Chris - I know what it’s like to be obese. It was a serious issue then, but it seems almost funny now...as I was studying exercise science at the time.
I have always been a very active person but by the age of 21, 3 years into a physical education degree I had become obese, weighing 114kg with a BMI of 34. I didn’t want to be this size, but as my weight had increased through my teenage years I hadn’t been able to stop myself getting bigger. I was probably also technically an alcoholic as well.
Althought it was my third year of university I couldn't remember much of the first semester because I was out at the pub drinking most nights and some of the days as well. I had been a binge drinker since the age of 14. My 'proudest' drinking achievements and the things I was knowd for at university were being able to drink a One litre jug of beer in 6 seconds and being able to drink 'the bud' a 2.3 litre tupperware container full of beer in 28 seconds.
I also understand how possible it is, and how great it feels to achieve a major lifestyle change. On my 21st birthday, 18th August 1997, for some reason I can’t explain, all my thoughts, feelings & actions finally pushed open an imaginary door in my mind and I realised that it was time to change my lifestyle...that I COULD do it...and that I was GOING to do it.
The months afterwards became a fascinating time of learning and achievement. I figured out how to change the way I was thinking, get better access to positive emotions & take resourceful action to create a healthier, more fun and generally better lifestyle. By the time I went back to university in February ‘98 I was 89kg and feeling great!
Since that time, apart from a year working in winemaking, I have worked in health and lifestyle change. I had a personal training business in London for 7 years. I’ve been privileged to have met and helped many wonderful people from all walks of life, make minor and major lifestyle changes...I’ve also learnt a lot from them too! I have worked with a small number celebrities which is always quite entertaining & a few professional sporting groups but the majority of my clients and the ones I value the most have been regular people - some very small and some very large.
‘Mind over Matter’
Inspirational success stories and strategies from more real people.
Jon
recently had a lung transplant. Jon has spent months eating big
portion sizes and putting on weight to fight infection and now requires
steroids as part of his post-op medication program. He says ‘The
steroids make me ravenously hungry. The hardest thing is changing the
way I eat. After having eaten big portion sizes to fight infection I
now have to decrease them. My current strategy, when I find myself
thinking about food is to give my mind something else to do to occupy
it. I do something different to break the thinking pattern...like going
for a walk. Jon lives in Albert Park, Melbourne and provided this
story with permission July 2009.
Tim
is a personal training client at The Open Door. When asked about the
main reasons he has been able to drop over 10kg and continue to
successfully achieve results through the middle of winter, he explained
‘positive thinking is important, with food its about good planning and
cooking at home, and PT workouts are the key. Continuing to exercise
through the middle of winter helps me to feel like i’ve got the mental
toughness that’s vital. If i’ve been able to exercise regularly through
winter – I know i’ve left no stone unturned. It makes summer feel easy.
Its hard work getting up for a 7am workout when your baby’s’ been
crying since 5am but having a booking with a trainer locked in ensures
commitment. Tim lives in Port Melbourne nad provided this story with
permission July 2009.
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