8: Belt-up

It's hard to believe I've reached that part of the month again when Luke at Luke Bremner Fitness measures my body.

I recall reading somewhere, that after embarking on a fitness regime, it takes around 6 weeks before you start to see any physical changes. It takes another 6 weeks before family and friends start to see those changes, and then a further 6 weeks before the rest of the world notices them too.

To say my expectations have already been surpassed would be an understatement. I'm certainly noticing how rapidly my body has started to change. More importantly, so can my personal trainer.

Since 01 April 2014 I've lost 4.3kg (9.4lbs) of weight, 7.8cm (3.1") from my waist and 8.25cm (3.25") from my chest. This proves that it's totally feasible to lose 10 Pounds (4.5kg) in 10 Weeks. If an unfit forty nine year old man can do it – yes I really am that old! – then I'm sure anyone can do it.

A consequence of all these physical changes is that my current wardrobe is starting to feel rather large. Trackie bottoms I purchased two months ago, especially to go to the gym in, are beginning to resemble clowns’ pantaloons. I'm also grateful that both my Dainese motorbike jackets attach to my leather bike jeans with a zip, as they're actually helping to holding them up when I go out motorcycling these days.

Not that I'm complaining. Luke and I reviewed my initial personal goals today. The list included simple things that were important to me e.g. a flatter stomach and, to lose the 'moobs and spare tyre.' From what I see in the mirror, and from what Luke's measurements tell me, these are all happening.

Last week I ventured along the high street in order to buy some new trousers for work. Not only did I have to buy ones with a smaller waist size, but they're slim fit trousers too! Similarly yesterday evening I decided to try on a Hollister sweater. I got it ages ago but have never worn it as it was too small, despite the garment label saying its size was 'large.' It's now fits me perfectly.

Next on my urgent 'to buy' list are some new belts. All of my current ones are too large, and I'd certainly hate to have a Carry On Films 'Whoops! There go my trousers…' incident in public.

7: Whey to go!

It's hard to believe that yet another week has hurtled by. 

Luke at Luke Bremner Fitness has been challenging me more than ever. In general I've been managing to achieve all that's been asked of me, but not necessarily in the most tidy of fashions. As the exercises become increasingly complex there is more to focus on: posture, technique, breathing and apparatus. However it's all gradually coming together albeit slowly.

As I was getting ready to leave after today's workout, Luke mentioned that he hadn't talked to me much about my diet or nutrition as he felt he didn't really need to. He said that I'd seemed to have embraced all the recommendations he made at the beginning of April. 

This is true. Open the cupboards in my kitchen and you'll find that boxes of breakfast cereal have been swapped with bags of mixed seeds and nuts, protein bars have replaced chocolate, and packs of whey protein-shake powders reside where cartons of sugar-loaded fruit juice once sat. Similarly a quick look in my refrigerator reveals nothing but fresh vegetables, some dairy produce and basic, but healthy, raw ingredients. 

About three years ago I decided to refrain from eating meat. This wasn't a decision taken on moral grounds. The fact was that I'd been seriously ill and during my recovery period I couldn't entertain the idea of consuming poultry, beef, lamb or pork. Once I was well again, I continued on this regime. I still treat myself to a little fish from time to time – especially as Stockbridge is home to Armstrong's – which is an amazing fishmonger.

Adapting my diet to suit my fitness regime and new healthy lifestyle hasn't been that difficult, even being a pescatarian. It has just given me more of an excuse to go into the kitchen and experiment with different combinations of vegetables and foodstuffs in order to create tasty, textured dishes. This week I made sweet potato and parsnip mash to accompany one meal, and tried butternut squash stuffed with quinoa and olives as a main course for another. Both super-tasty and healthy. In addition they're both definitely on the "play-list" of things to make again.

I guess I find it strange behaviour for anyone to pay a professional for their expert advice and then to choose to ignore it. As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, a good physique is made as much in the kitchen as it is in the gym. If, like me, you've mentally decided to change your lifestyle, then listen to your personal trainer and/or nutritionalist and adopt everything they tell you. If you don't, then the only loser will ultimately be you!

6: Strictly Disciplined

Last weekend I high-tailed it from Scotland to Northamptonshire in order to join family at the wedding of my sister and her husband. As I hadn't seen my parents or my siblings since mid-March, it was great to receive comments from everyone about how good I was looking.

I kept the biggest surprise until the following day though, when I turned up for the wedding in Highland dress. After living in Scotland for 23 years I decided it was about time I wore a kilt, and feeling great about about how I'm currently looking and feeling, made the whole experience even more enjoyable.

I also took advantage of my sister's nuptials to provide myself with a little treat. I had my first alcoholic drink in almost two months.

If you've read Luke Bremner's free eBook 21 Tips to Burn Fat Fast! - which you can download from his website - you'll know that alcohol is not only very high in calories, but also food eaten around the same time is more likely to be stored as fat. I'm convinced that some of my weight-loss, over the past couple of months, is purely down to being disciplined and avoiding booze of any kind. 

Despite the family celebrations I remained strict with myself, and kept my alcohol in-take to a minimum. It didn't stop me enjoying the weekend - in fact on Saturday night I was probably on the dance floor for the longest amount of time than I have been in years!

Back in Edinburgh, Luke threaten me at the gym on Tuesday. He told me that he was going to create a 'swear jar' with a difference especially for me - it's called the 'sorry' jar. He explained that every time I said "Sorry!" I'd have to put a pound in the jar. I'm glad he was only joking - or at least I hope he was - as he'd already be quids in!

What I often forget during my training sessions is that I'm pushing my body to new limits and not being able to achieve everything I'm asking it to do is actually okay.

That said, I'm finishing the week knowing I did two great workouts with Luke. We've increased the amount of weight for my barbell squats and dead-lifts, plus my technique for a whole host of other exercises continues to improve. So in summary a very positive seven days or so all round.

5: Oh no! I'm now average

The figures are in.

A combination of my physical endeavours at Luke Bremner Fitness - plus dietary changes and regular mini-workouts at home - are starting to pay-off.

In the past 5 weeks I've lost 3kg (6.6lbs) of weight. My waist has shrunk by approximately 7.5cm (3"), my chest has shrunk by 5cm (2"), but my arms are slowly starting to develop and increase in size. This all indicates that bad body fat is being replaced by lean fat. In summary, and to quote Ian Fletcher, "So basically that's all good!"

Looking at the figures, and consulting his charts, Luke congratulated me this morning on my body now being "average" for my age and height. My response was direct. "But I've never been average at anything!"

Each visit to Jamaica Street is often met with a new challenge set by Mr Bremner. On reflection, this is exactly what I needed - limits to be pushed and boundaries to be reached. As Luke reminds me, when I'm standing in front of the barbell ready to do a set of deadlifts, "It's just ten kilos on there Derek." Psychologically this is a great way to think about the 50kg (110lbs) that I'm actually about to lift.

I've also discovered that Mr Bremner is a bit a sneaky. Whilst I'm off focussing on a different super-set exercise, he'll slip an extra 5kg (10lbs) on the barbell for my next set of deadlifts - but doesn't tell me. However the upshot is that I leave enthused and invigorated after each session by what I've managed to achieve.

To say that 'I'm surprised' or 'delighted' about my rate of progress would be an understatement. I know that there is still a long way for me to go, before I reach the original goals and incentives I set myself. However the Luke Bremner Fitness strapline isn't wrong, when it reminds me each week, that I'm now fitter, stronger, healthier and happier than I was before I started.