All it takes to transform your body, your fitness and your health is a goal…and a little motivation.

Darren’s goal was to lose a few pounds to help him take on a 100-mile cycle ride around London’s Olympic course.

But 51-year-old Darren lost more than a few – he ended up shedding 41lbs (18.6kg), halving his body fat, taking 25cm off his waist and building a stronger and leaner new body in the process.

Simple changes to his diet and a progressive weight training programme with his Ultimate Performance personal trainer helped him make this stunning transformation in just 15 weeks.

The Fortnum & Mason director said: “I have achieved far more than expected in terms of weight loss. But also the discipline of the food plan and sticking to it were major achievements for a food lover and snack addict!”

“If you put the effort and discipline into the plan you will get results. It is hard at times, but work through it…and save money for new clothes!”

Darren explains here what made his 40lb weight loss so successful, the healthy new habits he has learned and how it has changed his mindset and his knowledge about diet and exercise for the future…

What were your expectations going into the programme and what were your motivations? 

I have entered the Ride London Cycle Sportive a 100-mile ride around the 2012 Olympic course and my motivation for joining UP came from wanting to lose some weight to make the ride a little easier! My expectation was that I would be able to lose a stone (6-7kg) and improve my body strength. I had also recently had a health check where one of the recommendations was also to lose some weight but also to improve my diet.

Can you tell me how you were feeling both physically and mentally before starting with UP? 

Physically, I felt fine before joining UP but it was clear from looking in the mirror that “middle age spread” had well and truly kicked in.

My head was telling me I should do something about it but I was lacking a goal (prior to the signing up to Ride London) and willpower.

What was your diet and lifestyle like before you started your transformation with UP? 

I have always been reasonably active and played sport all my life – mostly rugby and cricket and took up cycling in 2016 as a low-impact option for my ailing knees. I had always considered my diet healthy(ish) with home cooked meals and very few takeaways.

But working in a job surrounded by food, the number of “extras” that I was eating during the day was obviously having an effect on my weight.

 

How did your diet and lifestyle change when you started your transformation with UP? 

My diet changed significantly on joining UP and the discipline of weighing food did take some getting used to, but the effect of the reduced portion sizes and omitting the extras had an almost immediate effect with weight loss fairly quick and steady throughout my 12-week course.

Initially, I found the gym work very challenging and my recovery seemed very slow so energy levels were a bit up and down at the start.

What were the most important things you learned during your journey and what really worked for you in helping you make your transformation? 

The biggest ‘learns’ for me came from the diet and learning about the types and quantities of food needed for a balanced weight loss diet.

The one thing that has made the biggest difference in my transformation was the knowledge that the trainer was going to be monitoring my performance daily and that if I ever had any issues then that they would’ve been dealt with.

I travel frequently for work and the trainers will even help with advising on suggesting items from restaurant menus and supply session plans for use in the hotel gym.

How has doing this transformation changed you and do you think it will benefit you going forward? 

The course has changed me, obviously physically as I have lost over 18kgs but also in the way I now think about what and how much I eat. My diet has changed significantly and hopefully forever.

What’s next for you?

After initially thinking the end of my 12-week course would then lead to me joining a commercial gym and carrying on with some of the exercises to help maintain my weight (and new body shape!), I have decided to take another 12-week plan with UP as I feel I need the intensity and structure to get the best out of my gym time (and myself!).

If you’re inspired to get your own body transformation results, BOOK A CONSULT and start your own Personal Training Plan. 

ABOUT OUR RESULTS

  • We show you the best, we don't show you the worst.
  • We show you people who follow the plans, not those who are all talk.
  • We show you those who inspire even us with their commitment to their results.
  • You cannot get results exactly like these. You are unique and that means you can only get your own best possible results.
  • Your results are a function of time spent following the plan; your genetic response to the right exercise and diet program; how hard you train; how consistently you come to the gym; how disciplined you are with your diet; & your starting point.
  • Oftentimes the lower your starting point (poor fitness, terrible body composition) the better your results.
  • We cannot do the work for you and the results you see here are a testament to the work ethic of our clients.
  • Our reputation is that we are the best trainers in the world for helping you to unlock your potential, & we can lead you to the door, give you the key, even turn the handle and push the door open, but we cannot walk through it for you.
    In the end the result is down to you.

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