December 2003 I’m 33 and an 18 stone lump of lard, I go to buy a pair of trousers for my Christmas party as I have outgrown my last pair of size 40s. Go to a leading fashionable clothes store to buy some new ones and get told sorry we don’t do them that fat. I’m doomed to a life of bad fashion!
No I'm not. It was the wake up call I needed. I didn’t buy trousers in the end but a decent pair of running shoes and made a life changing decision. The fat was going! From January 2004-January 2005 I started running and weight training and a healthier diet. I was working out 5-6 times a week.
On Monday I would go for a long run as far as I could go. I remember on my first run stopping after five minutes wheezing like an 80 year old! On a Wednesday was HIIT day, sprints and walks for 24 minutes. In time I could cover the same distance in the 24 minutes as I was doing on a 45 minute run. Friday was long run day again and the HIIT helped my speed and endurance. I swear I ran more miles than Forrest Gump.
When I started, the diet was Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm but as the weight started to drop off the diet got better and I ate less and less bad foods and alcohol. My original goal? 16 stone and size 36 trousers. Where did I end up in January 2005? 14 stone and size 34 J
By this point I was actually running 10k twice a week and loving it. Then tragedy struck. I had a car crash and was hospitalised with broken ribs etc. Had to reassess my training and with the help of Men’s Health I did. It had to be weights only as for some reason we still can't work out I can't run! Where did I get to in the end? 12 stone 5 and a 6-pack, whoops typo sorry 8-pack! What would be my dream? To be able to run again. There’s no greater feeling in my book: you, the road, the challenge and the determination to go where ya wanna go. I know I have the ability to do it, I need the encouragement and maybe the guidance to retrain my leg to work properly. I can walk Ok so I know I can run, it's just been way too long!
Comments
An inspiration to all!
Craig Leigh Tuesday, July 04, 2006 03:34:33 PM
cheers for that Having my training life online for the last year has been a great motivation for me and I know its helped untold others To inspire one person to achieve gives the greatest feeling ever, I have achieved that ten fold. Theres so much garbage out there that puts so many off as it makes it like rocket science and it neednt be
BFG Tuesday, July 04, 2006 03:44:48 PM
Inspirational!
Darren Lyons Tuesday, July 04, 2006 04:14:21 PM
Wow Dude! That's awesome!
Joe ODB Tuesday, July 04, 2006 04:48:50 PM
BFG that is so awesome. You have true courage and spirit. You have come a long way, but I hope that the road to your ultimate goal will be soon in coming. I wish you the best in your quest to feel the wind in your hair, out on the open road...Running :D
Jenn Poulin Tuesday, July 04, 2006 05:02:07 PM
BFG: That story is very inspirational...
Keith Suthammanont Tuesday, July 04, 2006 05:33:20 PM
Great Stuff! that's fantastic!
Sk B Tuesday, July 04, 2006 10:08:10 PM
Great to read your story. Very motivating. With your determination you will surely achieve your goals.
Ruma Wednesday, July 05, 2006 04:43:15 AM
Hiya BFG, No need for introductions here mate, you were my inspiration to lose my 5st 4lb and I'll be eternally grateful to you for all the help that you gave me on my journey from fat to fit. The battlet to run again will be something that I KNOW you will achieve because you have the 'Application,' 'Motivation' and 'Dedication' needed to achieve. Luv Ya Man Keep up the great work.
Jeremy Crawshaw (SuperJ) Wednesday, July 05, 2006 06:05:37 AM
That is such an inspirational story! I think you have done fantastically well, and you look gorgeous in your final pic if you don't mind me saying so! So many other can be inspired from stories like yours, well done BFG!
Chris Fowler Wednesday, July 05, 2006 08:27:53 AM
Good luck BFG!
Steve H Wednesday, July 05, 2006 04:09:10 PM
Great story, very inspirational. Good luck BFG.
Joseph Shields Thursday, July 06, 2006 01:58:59 AM
Steve, always an inspiration! Keep up the good work.
Buster Ault Thursday, July 06, 2006 04:59:01 AM
Keep those dreams alive BFG...Good luck!!!! swiminto
Rick Amodeo Thursday, July 06, 2006 02:32:38 PM
very inspirational- good luck! javajunkie
Gina Martin Thursday, July 06, 2006 06:25:30 PM
well done steve keep up the good work!
Sam Carolan Saturday, July 08, 2006 01:40:55 AM
Steve, Very inspirational and a real motivator.
John Gesselberty Sunday, July 09, 2006 01:57:43 AM
Bedders has been so motivational to so many people, time for some payback! If anyone deserves it he does! Might even see him back on the rugby pitch!!! Ya never know!
Ian Vandersluys (Vanders) Tuesday, July 18, 2006 10:38:40 AM
Gotta agree with Vanders, BFG has put almost as much time and effort into helping others as he has helping himself. Great story to boot! Will inspire many.
Gubernatrix Wednesday, July 19, 2006 02:33:57 PM
Had a smile on my face when I read the first paragraph! Been there, but didn't have the bottle BFG has shown until this year - I'm just starting out now. Congratulations on such a massive achievement mate, and on being a light of inspiration to those of us who've been in the darkness for too long! Sincere best wishes. You deserve to realise your dream.
Dales Man Friday, September 01, 2006 08:34:08 PM
Well done BFG! Hope you get that leg working again! Everything else you seem to do works- fat loss, muscle gain etc! Here's hoping for as return to your running days!
Shutupacut Yeaaahhh! Friday, September 01, 2006 08:47:13 PM
Fantastic achievement. I hope your leg recovers quickly and you're out running again soon. I've missed my runs for 4 weeks after a badly twisted ankle and that was bad enough! Good luck.
Ev Clarkson Monday, February 18, 2008 05:45:37 PM