12/11/2024

The Blog

IMPORTANT: I am not trained to give any medical or nutritional advice... This is just me explaining what I do.

For the record, I didn’t always weigh 125kg... Have a 38inch waist... And a muffin top which would get any aspiring baker in to the final of the Great British Bake Off. And I’m not referring to fact that I was born weighing just 6lbs!

I grew up in the 80s and 90s living in council houses, the eldest of 3 children born to a single mother. Naturally, our household was not flush with money and whilst my mother did a great job of providing us all reasonable, hot meals I was completely unaware that I was in the process of developing a completely unhealthy relationship with food. Our mother provided more than the basics and I don’t want to portray that we missed meals on a regular basis or suffered exceptional hardships that are not true. However whilst growing up, I was developing an appetite for sweets, foods that were high in saturated fats and takeaways. Foods that we almost always could not afford... And therefore were the ultimate treat when the opportunity to gorge came around.

Inspired by my uncle and the Hollywood movies, I had my heart set on joining the British Army. And at the age of 16, I did exactly that. I had been prepared for the physical fitness standards by my recruiter (the internet was still in its infancy) and I was given a training plan on a giant A2 poster which I proudly displayed on my bedroom wall. I had read a few books authored by those who had served in the Special Forces and I had dreams of joining either the SAS or SBS. For this reason, I worked hard on my fitness standards and aimed to complete my 2.4km (1.5mile) run in under 9minutes 30seconds and over 50 Press ups and 50 Sit Ups in 2 minutes. All were standards I’m proud to say that I achieved when I attended the Recruit Selection Centre in Lichfield. The standards for entry to the British Army at 16 years old were significantly less strenuous than this. Throughout this process, I paid little to no attention to my diet but worked hard on my fitness.

When I eventually entered basic training, I was shocked by how much PT (Physical Training) I had to do, although I’m not sure why exactly! The Army had almost complete control over my diet as meals (scoff or scran) were eaten communally in the cookhouse/canteen. Meal times were rigid and you didn’t exactly get time to relax whilst you ate... I guess that’s where the term “scoff” comes from... That is, you scoff your food down! The excessive PT and nature of mealtimes further cemented my unhealthy relationship with food. When there was a short amount of downtime in some of the evenings, I wouldn’t bat an eyelid at going to the NAAFI (on camp shop) and buy 2 bags of morale (Haribo or crisps) and devour the lot before the following morning. At the weekends, several trips to the NAAFI bar to grab a burger and fries... sometimes more than one helping per visit. With so much PT, I never saw the impact of such choices. This pattern of behaviour continued once I finished training and arrived at my Battalion. By the time I was 18 though (and definitely not before), I was also supplementing these poor choices with excessive alcohol consumption too – earning my own wage and with few bills to pay, the taps had been turned on and I was flooding my body with addictive foods and cementing those poor habits.

My military career was largely unaffected by this pattern of food, however it was noted by several mates and colleagues that my relationship to food could have been better! I recall that on one specific occasion, we had collectively challenged each other to consume a 24hour ration pack, which contained over 4000 calories during one working day (8am until 4pm (ish)). I was barred from the challenge as it was noted that I didn’t eat food... But rather I inhaled it! I never did go on to complete any UKSF training... But I did join one of the British Army’s finest Infantry Regiments, who held high fitness standards (certainly by my standards). Daily PT included a selection of exercises which included 5 to 8 mile runs, circuit training, battle PT and TABing (a loaded march for the uninitiated).

Whilst deployed to Canada, an unfortunate incident saw me dislocate my ankle (in short I tripped over a wire whilst getting down from the top of an armoured vehicle, my foot hit a hand hold on the way down and where my foot stopped, gravity insisted on returning the rest of me to the ground. Fortunately, both the armoured vehicle and the concrete floor for the tank park survived in tact). I was unable to walk unassisted for the first 2 weeks and was unable to resume training for the following 6weeks. During this time, I was allowed to return home as I was unable to complete any duties. Unfortunately, I continued to eat food and make food choices like I was still training daily. When returned to work I had gained nearly 30kg and weighed in at almost 130kg. I had developed stretch marks all over my body, my uniform did not fit and I was unable to perform any duties at my Battalion. In truth, I thought that I had packed someone else’s trousers in to my bags such was the gap between my trouser button and the eyelet! When my mates and colleagues saw me, there’s no denying I was embarrassed! I remained medically downgraded for the remainder of my time in the Army. During this time, my hair began to fall out and I continued to get lager!

I was able to secure a posting and left the Army at 24, fat, out of shape and significantly balding!! These two events are linked... I’m certain of it!

At about the age of 28, I started to get back in to my fitness after deciding to join the Army Reserve. In short, my salary was pitiful and the Army was offering excellent bounties for ex regular service members to join the reserve. Unfortunately for me, I had been advised that my BMI at 37 was way to high and I needed to resolve this to get back in to the Army. I would later learn that that was no requirement for ex regular service members to hold any sort of BMI standard and a BMI comparable with that of a small planet was completely acceptable (Capita had not long secured a contract to handle the Army’s recruitment and were perhaps the only thing more pitiful than my salary). So once again I took my foot off the PT gas however it was during this time, I began to enjoy it... just a bit. My weight plateaued at about 126kg but I was still able to run a few miles, hit 50 press ups/sit ups and move reasonable distances whilst carrying a rifle and Bergen... At least to the standard of a weekend warrior, not that my knees will thank me for it in the future!

Fast forward to today, 12/11/2024 and whilst I’m more keyboard warrior than weekend warrior, I have continued to dabble in exercise, although the primary reason for this was not to lose or control my weight but rather to create opportunities to improve my mental wellbeing. I almost always feel better after working out! I now weigh approximately 121kg. Far too heavy by anyone’s standards, however I am now reaching the point where I want to achieve more in the personal fitness space. Whilst I’m highly unlikely to ever reach the levels of fitness that I possessed in my younger years, with goals like lose weight, get stronger and generally be healthier would be beneficial not just to me, but to my family... And is that the NHS from the future I can hear thanking me too?

So why this Blog? It occurred to me that over the past few years (decades really), I have encountered many issues which are more widely experienced by heavier or larger athletes (not to belittle anyone, but I’m using the term athlete loosely here!). I’ve often found myself imparting tips on social media and amongst friends, covering things like chafing, aches and pains, exercises, clothing and muscular skeletal supports that have helped me achieve those fitness goals. And whilst I don’t hold all the answers, I feel there is an opportunity to share tips and tricks relating to a whole host of fitness related issues which could help others who find themselves in the same circumstances. Along with regular updates, I will also share the details of any products that have/are making my health journey much easier.

If it helps just one person or prevents just one sleepless night. Then it will be well worth it!

And if it’s just me that views this... Then that’s fine too, I’ll just consider this therapy.