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When I saw the heading of the newspaper on the day I decided to start the BodyBlitz Challenge, I had to laugh. ‘Plan to revamp eyesore’ was exactly what I had in mind for myself! A couple of days prior to starting the BodyBlitz, I came to the uncomfortable realisation after viewing some photos that my son took of me on a family bush walk, that there was actually a big difference between what I thought I looked like and what I actually looked like. Not that I was morbidly obese or anything, but it was clearly evident that my waistline was covered with several pounds of unnecessary fat! Stepping onto my scales confirmed what I didn’t want to know — that my recent weight gain was definitely not ‘all muscle’. The thought came to my mind that I should register for another 12 week BodyBlitz Challenge. This thought was followed by mixed emotions of excitement and dread. Excitement at the thought of getting my abs back, and dread at the thought of going back to eating tuna and rice cakes every day for lunch. If I was going to be successful with this challenge, I knew I had to find a way to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. In his editorial piece in Australian Iron Man (Vol.16, No.12), Silvio Morelli wrote, “Sometimes people slip up after the competition is over and have to start again. But knowing they can do it will often motivate them to achieve more than they did the first time.” This was definitely my experience. I knew even before starting that I would lose the fat and get my abs back. What I desperately wanted to do this time around, however, was to enjoy the meal plan and training so much that I would want to continue long after the 12 weeks, and make sure that any gains in muscle and any loss of body fat would be sustainable over the long term and not just attainable for a photo shoot. I have seen many people eliminate all carbs from their diet and go on extremely low calories and ‘attain’ a ripped look, only to bloat right back to their original size or worse in a matter of weeks when their eating returned to normal. At the beginning of the challenge I ordered a gourmet nutrition manual called Precision Nutrition, which blew me away with dozens of amazingly tasty and nutritious recipes. After making the Greek burgers, I was hooked — I never knew eating healthy could taste so good! Far from having boring meals every day, my meal plan was full of variety with meals that everyone loved. For breakfast I would often make pancakes from ground-rolled oats and egg whites topped with fresh blueberries, or I’d make a protein ‘super shake’ with protein powder, almonds, spinach, rolled oats, flax meal and frozen berries topped with shredded coconut. Yum! I spent just as much time in the kitchen as I did in the gym, much to the delight of my wife Rebecca, who for some weird reason absolutely hates cooking. I think she would say that the greatest benefit of me completing the BodyBlitz Challenge has been seeing me develop such a passion for whole foods and cooking, as I have now taken over her role as the family meal organiser/cook. When it was time to take my after photos we both smiled at the headline of the newspaper on that day: ‘Rebecca’s Joy’. Indeed, I think our whole family has benefited from me completing the challenge, especially in the area of enjoying our food and celebrating life together. We also have increased energy and vitality and wake up in the early hours of the morning ready for the day ahead. Looking at the after photos, I am pleased with the progress I have made. I have proved to myself and others that you don’t have to feel starved or deprived in order to get into shape. You don’t have to eat tuna and rice cakes every day or spend hours in the gym. I’m happy with my results and it is also great to see that so many others have changed their lives from starting this challenge. If you are reading this now and considering the challenge for yourself, my advice would be, go for it! Prepare well and enjoy the journey. You won’t regret it! IM
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