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How I Got Fat
It is an odious assumption that fat people have no discipline or are lazy. I put on 13kg in 5 months when working 16-hour days, studying for a master’s degree on weekends and writing a book on public holidays. I managed to lose the weight, then put back 10kg again in the course of a year, due largely to convenience foods and insufficient exercise.
I tried controlling my diet and exercising. At one point, I was running five to six days a week but my weight was still steadily increasing. I was also falling ill often and struggled with low energy levels. I was at a loss. I needed something more effective, quick, yet safe and sustainable.
The Starting Point
Personal training came to mind because it is a customized process. I did not want to plough through tons of reading materials on general weight loss to find the solution. I wanted to find something which would work for me. I made an appointment at Fitness First to meet Shufen, who at that time already had a string of good reviews to her name.
Shufen was thorough in understanding my physical history and weaknesses. We had a detailed discussion which set the course with clear fitness goals and sound advice on diet control. She came across as non-judgmental, committed, trustworthy and someone I would respect enough to do, or try to do, 30 push-ups without flinching.
Personal Training
From the first training session, Shufen has been extremely committed and focused on the fitness goals and yet constantly working towards an overall change. She is very professional and experienced with in-depth knowledge and an eye for detail. Issues I used to sweep under the carpet such as my lower back pain and poor posture were identified quickly and corrected - within the first two sessions, my back pain reduced considerably and I slept better at night.
Having a good personal trainer whom you can trust is very important in order to stretch one’s physical capacity without fear of injury. Shufen is always tuned in to ensure that the intensity of the exercises is just right to push my limits but not to cause any form of injury. She keeps the training within realistic limits, never puts pressure on my progress nor sets any boundaries on my sports aspirations. She is constantly encouraging, patient and monitors my progress regularly.
Shufen also ensures that I have an optimal blend of strength, resistance, endurance, balance, agility and flexibility training in addition to the cardio exercises I was doing. This resulted in a steady rise in my metabolic rate which is important for consistent fat-burning after, and not just during, exercise. Moreover, Shufen always varies the training to ensure that all my muscle groups, back and joints are evenly toned and properly exercised.
The difference between having personal training and training on my own is akin to driving long distance with or without a navigator. Personal training provides proper guidance on the most effective route to the destination, enabling efficient use of time and fuel and ensures that I do not give up, lose focus or get distracted by fast food restaurants along the way.
Progress and benefits
Personal training has maximized the limited time I have for workouts and shown great results.
In the span of just two months, my weight went down from 73kg to 65kg. My BMI returned back into the healthy range. My average speed for long distance jogs advanced from 8km/h to 10km/h. My flexibility and stamina also improved. Most importantly, my body fat percentage reduced from an alarming 42% to 32%. I am currently still taking personal training sessions and working towards my mid to long term fitness goals.
In the meantime, the benefits are definite. I feel naturally energetic and despite having ceased reliance on caffeine, I still feel mentally alert and much less tired at the end of a long working day. I also haven’t fallen ill since I started personal training.
The visible effects are also obvious and my clothes size has gone down a few sizes. In addition, I am physically fitter and able to participate in various sports activities without effort or embarrassment.
Conclusion
Back to the point I started with: it is an odious assumption that fat people have no discipline or are lazy. People should not be judged by their physical appearances, but I believe that a healthy body is important as it leads to a healthy mind. A healthy mind in turn makes one feel better internally and opens up new worlds and perspectives.
I would like to thank Shufen for the positive changes she has enabled and encourage anyone who is keen to make a change in their lives to take a first step in trying out personal training today. |
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Rowena
Fitness First member |
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