Healthier.Stronger.Happier
Why Us?
3 years ago I needed to consult a specialist for an aching back when walking my dog. I couldn’t go more than 15 minutes without pain, so I had to do something.
It’s Never too late
My specialist’s “professional” diagnosis was I was a fat “****” and I needed to change my lifestyle as well as get some further back care. She disputes my version of the conversation this to this very day, but I heard what I need to.
So at the ripe old age of 61, my new life had begun. I hadn’t exercised or played any sports for 35+ years so I felt like I was genuinely starting from scratch.
Initially all I did was start moving, so just before New Years Eve in Dec 2020, I simply started walking. Just a couple of kilometres each day to begin with as my back pain was under control. Then I started walking more and more, which became 5 km’s 3 – 4 days a week with 9 – 10 km walks each Saturday and Sunday morning.
In 6 months, I dropped nearly 18kg’s, based on the walking and an improvement in my nutrition and couldn’t believe the difference in how I felt. A totally new wardrobe was needed, as I’d dropped from a 97 pant size to an 87, and people started to notice, even though many thought I may have been battling an illness.
“Finally, I’d got to that point where I was comfortable in my skin, except there was now a little more of that than i liked to see”
How to fix the little excess skin was the next question I had to find an answer to. After spending some time with Mr Google and researching the myriad of different “solutions”, I purchased a small home gym for a few hundred dollars, some adjustable dumbells and an ABS wheel. I thought I was set to simply throw a few weights around and muscle would miraculously replace the fat I had lost.
Tried that for close to 12 months and dropped a further few kgs, built a little muscle but wasn’t really seeing the results I’d expected or hoped for.
Popular Programs
Strength
General Fitness
Nutrition
Make a Change
Real People, Real Results
So what happened next?
I spoke again to my specialist who suggested going to a PT that she knew of and highly recommended. Although he was online only, I made contact and setup a program with him. I wasn’t sure how the online option would work, but now I can honestly say it was perfect for me. No need to be intimidated by going to a gym as a newbie, I could do my training from home if I wanted to.
From the first week I realised where I had been going wrong over the previous year, even though I thought my nutrition was on point, my trainer tweaked a couple of things, however I believe the major change was in correcting all the weight exercises I had been doing plus the implementation of some new ones. It is amazing the difference it makes performing the exercises with correct form.
I knew then that this was how my life is to be from now on, as the older we get, we need to keep our strength and in many cases, actually increase it.
After upgrading the gym and adding a few other pieces like resistance bands etc and coupled with my trainer’s guidance,
I was able to drop down to size 82 and below in pants size, even with an increase in weight (that was difficult to digest at first when you’re on a weight loss program) and now have a body fat percentage of 18%, almost half of what I started out at just 3 years ago.
And notice I can still have a beer whenever I want to ^.
After finishing my program with my PT, I caught up with him over a coffee for a first time actual face to face conversation. We got to talking about my progress and I mentioned that I’d been thinking about whether I could assist others in a similar demographic or whether he thought I’d gone a little crazy with all the protein I’d been consuming. He enthusiastically said yes of course I could, “I should definitely do it”. So with his support, I have commenced a PT training course to attain Certificate IV credentials in PT.
Still early months of the course, however as part of the certification, I’ll be on the lookout for a couple of “students” who may be interested in getting healthier and stronger, particularly those 50 and over.
In all seriousness, “It is Never Too Late” to take a positive step for your health, so if any of my story resonates with you or you’d like a bit more information of what I did, or how, flick me an email from the box below.
I know I can help improve your strength, lose some body fat and be generally healthier.
Oh and why is there a Tiger in the theme you may ask?
It’s because I’ve always loved tigers, they are the most powerful cat in the animal kingdom and I just love the way they move. That’s where Roar Strength Fitness comes from, the strength and power with movement, all the requirements for a good quality of life.