To the average person, the task of losing weight and gaining muscle is a hard task, but one that can be achieved with persistence and dedication. But for me it was most confronting.

Age does build in its own barriers, but a lifetime of physical extremes can leave a person with injuries that may disagree with your ambitions of physical performance. Unfortunately for me, this meant experiences of DOA at hospitals with massive trauma to internal organs, legs and further later injuries leaving with restricted movement of my right shoulder and spinal problems. Even eating takes on a new meaning when you lose the ability to swallow food normally.

Just to make the challenge more interesting I have been diagnosed with a chronic pulmonary restrictive disorder, a medical condition where my lung capacity is gradually decreasing to the point where in April 2009 it was at 46 per cent, with the efficiency of a 102 year old person; a condition where even walking up stairs or holding a conversation is most difficult. Then in May 2009 I became an asthmatic, even further reducing my lung functions. A simple cold is now life threatening.

The idea of sitting vegetating while deteriorating to the point of needing a full-time oxygen bottle was most unappealing. My stepdaughter has taken up being a sports model and I went to see her first competition. While there I observed the Grand Masters in action and turned to my partner and said, “I can do that and I can win.” The look of disbelief was obvious.

When I was made aware of the 12 week challenge, I thought “This is fantastic!” It gave me a goal which I could set out to achieve. All the physical obstacles became meaningless — they were just part of what I had to work with.

From the very first day it was a matter of setting small goals and exceeding them. Due to the respiratory difficulties I could not do high reps or heavy weights; this forced me to mentally and physically focus directly on strict form isolation movements for individual muscle groups and achieving the most out of each and every rep. The intensity was mind-blowing. Muscle growth responded accordingly. The hardest obstacle was going to be losing weight as normal cardio was out of the question. In the beginning, a minute and a half saw rapid increases in blood pressure and lung functions, to the point of respiratory failure. But as with any problem there is always a solution; luckily for me I live near some magnificent long beaches. I found that walking in the sand could be tailored to suit any degree of difficulty required.

Most bodybuilders would have a training partner but confronted with what I had to beat, I trained alone. I did not realise at this time that my efforts were having an effect on those around me. Knowledge on training and diet was being gleaned from magazines and any book that possibly could be found. A device of great assistance was the body fat/weight scales. Readings were done three times daily to gauge the effectiveness of training, cardio, fluid and food intake.

The 12-week challenge gave me, personally, hope for a life, something positive that can be looked forward to, where as an individual I can take control of my physical appearance and wellbeing, regardless of obstacles of hurdles that may arise. More importantly, I observed what effect my determination to succeed and willingness to push through all barriers was having to those around me.

My proudest moment came when I was given a training shirt with ‘PUNISHER’ embroidered on the back. This was after my stepdaughter attempted a few training sessions with me; even though she is a qualified personal trainer and has had personal training from some of the best, she found the type of training we did was far tougher than anything she had experienced. Her brother now trains the same way and he now instructs his friend.

This was most satisfying, as he was a bit ‘wayward’ and in constant trouble, but bodybuilding has shown him a new way of life. To train to overcome something seemingly impossible is much tougher physically and mentally than he had expected. He found there was no room for talk it was ‘put up or fail’.

The 12-week challenge for an individual has become a lifetime legacy, which has brought together a family, which has then spread to become a team; a team that will be out there next year at bodybuilding contests with an unbeatable determination to succeed.

And I will be there with my hand out for that Grand Masters Trophy. Unfortunately, during the last couple of weeks of the challenge I lost the ability to do the walking due to the onset of a circulation problem to my feet. Just another challenge. But I will be there with the team — just look for us!

One last thought for anyone thinking of taking up this challenge: your body is just the tools with which you work, regardless of what state it is in; what will separate you from everyone else will be you mental strength, the hidden quality. Build this and you will be guaranteed success in no matter what you set out to achieve. IM