ETC trainer Ben’s lifestyle change…

Summer is upon us, birds are singing, bees are buzzing, flowers are blooming, people with hay fever sneezing. And of course the ‘before and after’ pics of amazing transformations are filtering through social media. It’s so amazing that some started as pasty white, hairy and slightly flabby humans suddenly, they’re tanned, hairless and cut out of granite human beings. BOOOOOOMMMMMM…

Anything is possible, I agree. I started my first structured transformation challenge nearing my 46th birthday I am now 50 years old. This is when I actually was trained and was held accountable to another trainer.

To cut a long story short, it was close to a 12 months worth of exchanging better habits from average ones, being very enthusiastic to questioning whether it is all worth the effort. Analyzing (gathering data, past & present) I went back another 12 months, this 365 days was another foundation phase for life style improvement. This phase regardless of whether I was 50%, 70% or 100% compliance with both my nutrition and exercises, was still another brick to set up a foundation. A foundation strong enough so when storms of life happens it can with stand anything thrown at it.

I haven’t had alcohol or any other mind or mood altering substances for over 19 years, yes there was luck involve, maybe a touch of devine intervention but 99% of it is building better habits, replacing unnecessary and outdated ones. Trusting in a process, having patience, embracing lessons (good & bad) and never ever quitting. One of the uncanny ressemblance from this side of my life is that I can only do it one meal, one lift, one rest, one play and one day at a time. Support (community, being with like minded people who are striving for the same goals) is another invisible element that bindes my foundation stronger every day.

At a guess, from the age of four, to my forties (40+ years, give or take ) of setting up my metabolism for short term success and long term metabolic damage was a way of living that almost ended up in tears. I would like to think and judging by all the silver flicks covering my head I have accepted that it will take longer that 4 years to undo what I have done in my past.

The great fact is that, it is never too late to start and change my life for the better. And the cool side benefits is that I can leave a legacy to my family and friends, pretty neat.

That saying of ‘The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step'(Lao Tzu),

I WAS AFRAID OF THAT FIRST STEP BUT TOOK IT ANY WAY….