Dad bod be gone - Man boobs no more
Previously on Dad bod be gone, I told you about the three things my trainer suggested for change and how I thought they were ridiculous. Obviously the hard lesson I went through was the moment I pulled my muscles when I tried breathing in hard as I put on my pants before I went to work one day. (Okay, I used pulling muscles for dramatic effects).
Bottom line, I was still 79 kilos and one kilo away from becoming a delicious dumpling (a wanton at this point I’d say, like pretty but just smaller). This was the moment of realization that I need to live the values I believe in - be the change that you want to be!
I made the decision to get serious and officially kicked off the transformation journey with a specific goal together with Matt about 16 weeks back - become sub-70 kilos by Christmas. In response to the three ludicrous things he’s said, I made minor tweaks to keep things sustainable:
“I’ll only drink on Fridays and Saturdays”
…and keep to my skinny bitches
“I’ll only drink on Fridays and Saturdays” - I get invited to many social events and it often involves a glass of wine (or a bottle). On the weekends, I could easily do some eight G&Ts and still standing. Instead of cutting out my drinks entirely, I limit it to Fridays and Saturdays because I have a life! And instead of champagne and G&Ts, I switched over to skinny bitches (really, just vodka soda and lime). I hated it at first but I grew to enjoy it and it’s basically 96 calories and water.
“I’ll start meal prepping my breakfast and lunch/ dinner for the week” - I started researching on meal prep recipes and improvised them to fit my taste buds. They’re not only delicious, they’re also nutritional. I can’t wait to share some of the recipes in my next posts and you can be sure of a good balanced meal!
“I’ll slot in the fourth meal” - I thought this was totally crazy. I have to eat more to lose weight? Turns out, you can. I was hovering around 73-74 kilos at one point but as soon as I start slotting in that fourth meal, it went down faster than I thought.
Of course, this all comes with proper training and workout with my trusted trainer, Matt. I train at least three times a week and it’s great to see my strength increasing every time I train. Today’s Christmas and I’m hovering around 68 kilos, losing a total of 10 kilos in 16 weeks and most importantly, I can fit back into that pants that gave me that muscle pull. Fun fact, I used to think I have Gynaecomastia and thought I needed surgery to get rid of my man boobs but I guess it’s sorted now.
Through this, as with any successes in life, I believe you can achieve anything if you set clear objectives and make changes to your life. Ultimately, it all depends on you and your will power to make things happen.
Eternally grateful for the progress made in Phase 1. I’m ready for Phase 2 in 2020! Watch this space.
Dad bod be gone - Resisting change
I was invited to join Matt Benfell (then hated trainer, now friend) to meet him for a consultation and workout session to set some objectives and aspirations. I thought I was making okay money to use it as a form of motivation to get that transformation - forcing myself to go workout because I paid for it. In my line of work and my social life, basically keeping in shape is almost impossible, or so I thought.
In my mind, I had these amazing images in my head with 6-packs and toned arms that I can get in a short period of time. As with any transformation, there will always be a series of changes that need to happen and I, of all people, as a transformation expert (admittedly a strong one in work context) should understand this.
Little did I know, subconsciously I was resisting that change like anyone going through that phase would and I’m not proud of it. Here’s how I looked, as you would agree, it’s perfect for Coachella.
Having a 79 kilo dad bod
Let me start you off with the three things Matt told me which I happily scoffed at but played along.
1 - You need to cut down on your booze, particularly wine, champagne and gin & tonics…
“So…you’re asking me to just drink water?” was the first statement I made. Also, if you knew me, champagne is my absolute favorite drink. Cutting on it is a no-go. I thought he was ludicrous for even suggesting such change, it’s almost laughable. As I thought about how funny it was, I was sipping champagne off my glass.
2 - You need to introduce breakfast to your diet
I get it! According to Kellogg’s, breakfast is the most important meal of the day (says no one ever). I don’t have time for breakfast. All I can do is a cup of coffee in the morning so it gets me going and I barely have time for lunch at my desk. Also, isn’t eating more just going to make me fatter, I need to be on a deficit? Anyway, I promised I’ll try to have some breakfast when I can.
3 - Try to slot in more veggies and proteins and start recording what you eat so you keep to your calorie count
Okay Matt, I’m not about that. I am at best an omnivore, at worst, a carnivore (sweet and sour pork for lyfe!). The only thing I did was to have more salads from Workspace when I’m in the city but it will be impossible for me to have that if I’m at my other office.
“It’s too hard, I’ll try my best” is all I said and I was determined to go to the gym more. I remember the times where I often turn up half an hour late, cancelling last minute and being absolutely pissed at how I’m asked to do some crazy ass workouts after a long day of work.
As a result, even after 2 months, dad bod remains…
As a point of reflection, change does not come without resistance. If I applied what I preach at work, I should really be the change, embrace the change instead of being forced to change - that’s when you will gain success. Stay tuned to see what I did after a moment of realization.