What has changed?

So I’ve explained who I am and where I’m up to but I wanted to explore how my life/lifestyle has changed over this journey. Both as a personal reflection and so you can see what I’ve done. 

4 years ago I was a very overweight, sedentary, 25 a day smoking lard arse. Ok that makes me sound awful. I did smoke a lot and I was overweight but I wouldn’t actually say sedentary. Since my teens I’ve been in and out of gyms and been up and down in size. I was actually smaller than this at one point but I lived off Honey (Nut) Loops. I resent they removed the ‘Nut.’ 

So I quit smoking 3 years ago and I’ve never had one since. Don’t think that was easy, it wasn’t. I’d tried for years and years to stop. Even working with those close to death didn’t give me enough motivation. Thankfully I found e-cigarettes and I know they might be harmful but I haven’t had that for 2 years so what is better? Carry on fagging it or inhale potentially harmful substance for one year and have a lifetime free of lung crushing chemicals? 

It was only really when I got back from the Inca Trail that I really panicked. It almost killed me. Day two I thought I was a goner. I was hours behind everyone else. Oh the shame. Not only that but I’d had to buy size 20 walking trousers. Who in the right mind thinks they are OK to do a 4 day mountain trek if they are a size 20?? 

So after Christmas I found Rachel and I’ve been with her ever since. Obviously things were slow at first but I progressed really quickly. I never fobbed off sessions and I stuck to eating well. 

I’ve literally gone from sit on my arse eating pizza and chocolate to two personal training sessions a week and 3 sessions alone where I will either run, do a HIIT, do some heavy lifting or some kettlebell/TRX stuff. I’ve even started to do yoga. I get up earlier, I’ve more energy, I actually enjoy doing it! My eating has changed a lot too. Don’t get me wrong I still have binges but I will prepare meals now and think about what I’m eating most of the time. 

So when I really think about what has changed, I think it’s fair to say everything! 

  

🧳 UNPACKED

The Transformation (2013-2016): This was The Gym Era origin story. I went from 25-a-day smoker to someone who genuinely enjoyed working out. The catalyst? Nearly dying on the Inca Trail because I was so unfit. Nothing motivates like public humiliation and genuine fear for your life.

What Actually Changed:

• Quit smoking (e-cigs as a bridge, then nothing)
• 2 PT sessions + 3 solo workouts per week
• Running, HIIT, heavy lifting, kettlebells, TRX, yoga
• Meal prep became normal instead of pizza and chocolate on repeat
• More energy, earlier mornings, actually enjoyed it

The Inca Trail Reality Check: Buying size 20 walking trousers and being hours behind everyone else on day two was the wake-up call I needed. Sometimes you need to be humiliated into action. Not proud of it, but it worked. I won’t mention that I put it all back on again and then some right now.

If You’re Making Big Changes:

• Find what motivates YOU (even if it’s embarrassment)
• Progress isn’t linear – quitting smoking took years of trying
• Get help (trainer, app, accountability buddy)
• Variety keeps you interested – I did everything, not just one thing
• Binges still happen – don’t let perfect be the enemy of better