BodyBlitz Challenge Measurements Before Height: 190 cm Weight: 105 kg Chest: 115 cm Waist: 106 cm Calves: 43 cm Arms: 33 cm Thighs: 61 cm After Height: 190 cm Weight: 93.6 kg Chest: 115.5 cm Waist: 88 cm Calves: 39 cm Arms: 36.5 cm Thighs: 40 cm

Wow, where do I start? This has been one of the most difficult and yet rewarding times of my life. The saying is true: what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger! After entering the BodyBlitz Challenge three times previously (including in January [2010]) and being unsuccessful in completing any of them for various reasons, I had seriously started to doubt whether I could even do this — start something and see it through for a 12 week period without any excuses or distractions.

Crunch time for me came in July this year [2010]. My life was pretty much at rock bottom. I was struggling financially, my business was extremely difficult, I was nearly 110 kg — the heaviest I’d ever been — depressed, spiritually void and I had unresolved issues in my marriage which were affecting me tremendously. I figured I had to make some changes soon because, at 38, I started to wonder whether the best parts of life were in the past. I decided to work on each thing separately.

Working from the inside out, I started praying and meditating again, which was amazing. I then addressed the next most important thing: family. I had the conversation with my wife about everything, our past, my issues etc. This was extremely difficult but at the same time the best thing I could have ever done. She is one amazing woman! I worked smarter on business stuff and set some serious financial goals for myself and my family and by the end of July, things had started to shape up. I had started going back to the gym and after losing a few kilos I was feeling much better about life in general.

By mid-August, I finally decided to yet again join the BodyBlitz challenge after almost convincing myself that I couldn’t do it. But this time, I promised myself it was going to be different. It wasn’t going to be a three-week effort; I was going to see this through! I started a blog, I counted calories, I protein loaded, I kept myself accountable to others who were close to me and I set myself a workout routine that was realistic but challenging. I kept reading inspirational stories of others who had done it and I was determined to be one of those who had a story to tell at the end.

Then three weeks into the challenge, disaster struck: I lost my business. After professional advice, I had to place the business into liquidation and I took it extremely hard. I didn’t train for about 10 days; in fact I could hardly even get out of bed. I was in a state of shock; everything I had worked for, gone. Other people’s lives were affected as well! At this point I had a decision to make. Do I let this dictate my life and influence all decisions from this point on? Do I succumb to another distraction, a massive distraction? Or do I deal with it and continue to make smart, positive and healthy decisions about my future, my family’s future and those involved in and around the business? With some love and encouragement from my wife and a good deal of soul searching and prayer, I chose the latter.

My wife was AMAZING. A pillar of strength and support, she encouraged me to get back to the gym and take things in the business, a day at a time. She kept saying, “You can’t give up!” I didn’t. Every morning I would wake up before the birds, get myself to the gym and work out or attend a spin class or jog. It certainly helped; it kept my mind off the difficulties of the day and for those 90 minutes or so I could focus on something else. It also helped me to stay on track for what needed to be done in liquidating the business.

All of a sudden by week six, I realised I’d lost six kilos and was feeling much fitter and healthier. I had made it to the halfway point. A renewed energy and focus came over me and I decided with my wife to change our diet completely for a month — to detox. We started the Daniel Fast: nothing but water, fruit, vegies and protein shakes for a month. Physically, spiritually and emotionally it was exactly what I needed. My wife lost nine kilos in 30 days as well and living such a disciplined lifestyle for that time really brought us closer together.

With only two weeks to go, I knew that even when the challenge was over, I was going to continue. I’d never felt better. I was down to 94 kg — the lightest I’d been in 10 years. I was fit, healthy and a lot more motivated to continue to live a positive and focused life. My wife was enjoying being able to hug me — all the way around!

I’m not sure if I would have made it had I not had my faith, my amazing wife and a challenge like this to focus on during these extremely hard times. Thank God for His mercy! Thank you Helene for your unwavering love and support! Thank you BodyBlitz: you not only saved my life — you gave me a new one! I’ll never go back. IM