Because you clicked on this link and will probably read this page
My story
In my own words, from the original FitBloke site (2005). Lightly tidied, nothing added.
Time for change
The site that demonstrates that it is possible (easily??) for an archetypal "Six Pints of Stella and a Packet of Fags" (whisky guzzlin', beer swillin', Chinese takeaway, kebab and curry munchin' salesman type)...
I got fed up with that, so it was time for change.
| From | 43. Fat, unhealthy, unfit, physically unattractive lump, living in Travel Inns 2-3 nights a week. |
|---|---|
| To | Nearly two stone lighter (still a bit to go), feeling and looking a LOT better. |
The best is I FEEL GOOD ABOUT ME, and I still get to stay in Travel Inns a lot!!
(The question I often get asked now is "How have you managed to change so much?", always preceded or followed by a compliment on my appearance. How good would that make YOU feel!! Makes me feel pretty good, I can tell you!)
This is just the beginning! It's taken 9 months of EASY daily routine to change massively, and now, September 2005, I have decided I'm going to get properly fit "my way" too.
How it started
From my "Month 1" diary, written in autumn 2005:
Like you all, I have an affinity with the Bullworker. Mine spans probably 2/3rds of my life, from a green-handled 70s model (now somewhere along the road of life, along with my adolescent pubescent chest!!) to my current X5, which I bought in about '96 with the best of intentions. The second week's measurements weren't filled in on the wall chart, so intentions they obviously remained.
Due to the apparently "mandatory" (I prefer to think of it as a period of both spiritual and physical growth!!) mid-lifer, I decided last April ('04) that I should get a bit fitter. Obviously something as massive as that takes quite a while to get around to!!!!!! So in January this year I started bike rides for the old smoker's heart and lungs. Up until August this year I cycled most mornings for about 30-40 minutes, but still looked like a beer barrel on legs (fit, well-toned legs, mind). So, after our summer hols, spent holding my tummy in 'cos there's beautiful semi-naked people around me, HELP!
On August 28th I got the old X5 out of the loft, blew the dust off and started. I followed the sheet almost to the letter: the 1st week as per, then I added exercises at a quicker rate, i.e. all of them at once. One pull with max effort for far too long. I stuck with that till October 7th and, having done some reading on isometric/isotonic training, I'm now doing approx. 26 exercises for 6 slow constant-tension reps, followed by a concentrated mental count to 12, holding at a tension just less than tremble time!!
The results since I started back with "Bully", in just 6 weeks, are amazing: better definition, visible muscle growth already. I'm trying to watch my calories, so can't wait for the end of October after 2 weeks of Advanced...
Doing it "my way"
The idea is that I am willing to put a bit of effort into this site, mainly by having fun buying fitness toys and gadgets, using (testing) them for fun (serious fun), and posting the pictures and results up here, with my opinions.
It was this September when I decided to actually get fit "my way" too, so you can already see pictures of me after 9 months of getting fit the lazy salesman's way. Really, not some super course for high achievers, but for 43-year-old smoking drinkers. That can be a bit busy sometimes, but it does integrate perfectly(?) with a family where 2 kids are school age and me on the road 2-3 nights a week, sometimes more.
Just joining a gym isn't always enough. It can be done my way without one. I didn't, and steady worked for me.
Something worth really thinking about
What will happen if I don't do sod all??
What will happen if I do do something??
"Your Gonna Be Here in 6 Months Time Anyway, Might As Well Start Doing Something Now!"(Just a little bit of change, though.)
"I know I can keep that up, it's only a little bit of extra effort." That is the result you MUST have to succeed.
A little change each week for 6 months is a MASSIVE amount of change in six months' time. A massive change today? Yes, but only mentally.
"Where The Mind Leads The Body Follows"
Back in 2005 this page also offered a £1 PayPal "private area" with my training routines: "Pay a Pound to Lose a Pound". That has gone; the story is free.