Amir lost 21kg (46lbs) to rebuild heart health after his life-threatening diagnosis
Business owner Amir knew if he didn’t do anything to reverse his weight gain, his life-threatening heart condition would deteriorate.
Suffering from arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a disease of the heart muscle, he was warned his heart was like a ‘ticking timebomb.’
After his diagnosis, 42-year-old Amir began to live in fear and understood his weight gain was placing his heart under needless pressure. His resting heart rate sat at a worryingly high 86 beats per minute.
Partnering with an Ultimate Performance personal trainer has given him peace of mind that he can lead a healthy life with his family.
His trainer took time to understand his condition, regularly liaised with his doctor and ensured he could train safely and effectively to hit his incredible 21kg weight loss goal.
It’s more than just weight loss for Amir. Now he no longer feels breathless and has brought his resting heart rate down to 48 beats per minute, which he says was down to his trainer’s willingness to go the extra mile for him.
“My trainer probably knows how to deal with my heart better than my consultant.
“She really took an interest in my progress, and the only way she could devise my program was to understand how my heart rate reacted to certain exercises.”
“That’s the reason why I tell everyone who has an underlying health condition, there is no excuse. If I can do it, anyone can do it.”
Here, Amir speaks about his program was realistic given his work commitments, the friendly atmosphere in the U.P. gym and the lifelong lessons he will take from his trainer.
What was your motivation to partner with U.P.?
I have a condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) with slight evidence of sarcoidosis. I've got an implanted defibrillator that provides a shock if something happens.
When I found out the news, I didn’t know what to do with myself. All of a sudden, I had to be careful and people around me were always wary about what I lifted for example.
I didn’t think I was in bad shape, but when I joined U.P. I realised it was worse than I thought. If I left my body the way it was, it would have affected my heart condition.
What sort of impact has your transformation had on your life?
After my diagnosis, I was living in fear. I've got kids, a family, a life to lead. All of that could have stopped at any second. Since I started training, I’ve stopped having heart palpitations and my six-monthly heart check-ups have been reduced to once a year. My doctors are delighted with my progress and I feel much stronger and fitter.'
Being breathless was the norm for me. I thought it was normal because when you’re exercising or doing activities, you become tired. So, I thought it was normal. But coming to U.P and going through the transformation, I recover from breathlessness in a matter of seconds. According to my medical reports, I think my resting heart rate was 86 beats per minute. Now, I'm 48 beats per minute. So obviously, that’s a drastic change.
I recently received my results from a recent medical test I did. The medical report suggests that there is an improvement and according to the doctors, it's nothing to worry about. So overall, I’m delighted.
How well did your trainer work around your heart condition?
Me and my trainer went through all the different exercises to make sure we didn’t put any stress on my heart. Having the emphasis on my condition was the number one priority. My trainer understood my condition and ensured I got a heart rate monitor, she really took an interest in my progress.
The only way she could devise my program was to understand how my heart rate reacted to specific exercises. We went through a phase where we had to do certain exercises until she understood exactly how to deal with my heart. She probably knows how to deal with my heart better than my consultant.
During the phase where she learned about my health condition and worked out which exercises I could do, she took the initiative to speak to my consultant at the hospital. She was in constant contact with them and would send videos of my exercises.
How did you find the training environment at the U.P. gym?
All the trainers know about your story. It's like a family here and nothing like any gym I’ve seen before in my life where they don’t know anything about other clients. It’s different here; everyone is caring and highly supportive.
Coming to U.P. has been the best thing that’s happened to me. Not only has my physique improved, but also my health and my mental awareness. Everything has improved to the extent that I can't see myself stopping coming here. U.P. is a lifestyle.
What was your lifestyle like before working with your trainer?
I've got a few businesses I run, so I’ve never really made time for myself in the last 10 to 12 years. I’ve always neglected myself, so coming here has taught me I have to take care of myself and make time for myself.
I knew I had to eat good food, but doing it consistently was tough. Coming to U.P. has ensured I now eat well, which has had a massive impact on my life. Not only on me, but also on people surrounding me. As a very busy man, my life has changed!
Would you recommend U.P. to others with health concerns looking to make a lasting change to their bodies?
I think it is very important for people who have underlying health conditions to go the extra step and try to exercise.
As your confidence grows, slowly try out bigger and more challenging exercises. I realise after this transformation, exercise is important regardless of if you have underlying health conditions or not.
