What my Amazing clients have to say

Lesley

"I’m Lesley age 69 at the time of writing.

I signed up with Mark because I had become very self-conscious that I had started to get a hunched back, and my neck and shoulders were giving me a lot of pain. I was also aware that my balance wasn’t as good as it used to be, and I had become more wary about falling/tripping over when out walking.

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I was diagnosed with osteopenia some years ago after breaking my ankle badly and have had a broken rib and a couple of fingers and really don’t want to get any worse.

In general, I did not feel like I had any energy and I wanted to get fit again.

A few months before I started training with Mark, I had had a heart attack which made me look at my lifestyle and I realized just how unfit I had become. I had aches and pains particularly in my back and shoulders.

My energy levels were low and even chores such as hoovering and opening jars had become difficult. I had trouble sleeping for more than a few hours and was drinking lots of espresso coffee to keep me going. I felt tired and weak most of the time,

Mark is very good at motivating me to make changes to help me feel fitter and stronger.

I always feel confident knowing Mark is constantly watching to make sure you are doing the exercises correctly, which makes you feel safe so that you don’t hurt yourself by doing something that is too much for you personally.

He has given me good advice about making lifestyle changes to improve my health and shows that he cares.

Since I have been training with Mark, I feel much more confident about myself, my energy levels have really improved, I have less aches and pains and my mobility/balance are much better. My physical shape has changed, and I can now wear size 10 again with comfort.

Mark’s support has made me feel more positive about myself both physically and mentally.

I now enjoy training which I never thought I would say."

KAyleigh

"Hi, I’m Kayleigh, 33, and I have been training with Mark for just over a year now.
 
I considered myself to be a fairly healthy overall. I weighed 72.4kg, I was eating what I thought were the right foods and I was trying to be active with various fitness classes I attended. Even though I thought I was doing the right things, I was slowly going up dress sizes (I was up to size 16 jeans). The crunch was when my grandad asked me when my baby was due – what baby! So I decided to try something else. As I would have no idea what to do if I went solo to a gym, I made the decision to look for a PT. When I joined Mark, I secretly had my doubts that much would change if I am honest, however, I am happy to say that I was very wrong!"

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"As an accountant, I had classic “desk job” symptoms: my posture wasn’t brilliant, I suffered from bad backs and had hip issues too. My goals weren’t numbers-based, I didn’t have a weight or dress size I wanted to reach. I wanted to feel stronger physically and increase my self confidence. I wanted to learn about food and exercise, and I wanted to change my attitude towards them. I felt like an active person living with a lazy person’s mind. And, I wanted to do a press up.
 
I have worked with Mark, doing weights-based training, twice a week. His level of understanding is excellent. He is very patient, explaining in layman terms what you need to do and correcting you if you lose form. One day I might even master a kettlebell swing! Mark pushes me out of my comfort zone, always giving friendly encouragement when I insist I can’t do it (it turns out I usually can). Each session is different, even now I am doing exercises I hadn’t previously done. I have found Mark’s passion for fitness to be quite infectious!
 
Mark has also helped me with nutrition. I felt I ate relatively well, as a vegan I definitely ate my vegetables, but with my weight slowly creeping up clearly I was doing something wrong. Mark has played a very active role in sourcing healthier (and vegan!) alternatives and supplements where needed. He is very knowledgeable, answering all my questions; big, small and the bizarre!
 
A year on and I believe my decision to join Mark was definitely one of the best investments I have made. I have lost over 10kg, reduced my body fat by 10.5%, reduced my BMI to 22.7 (from 26.6), and dropped down to dress size 10/12. Overall, I have lost 19.5cm from my hips and waist measurements, and my metabolic age now resembles my age too rather than my mum’s! More importantly for me, training with Mark has boosted my self confidence. My friends can see the difference in me both physically and mentally. It should come with a small warning attached though – you will need to buy a whole new wardrobe!
 
Mark is more than just a PT, he takes a genuine interest in your wellbeing as a whole. If you are thinking of making that first move, do it – you really have everything to gain and more."

Gina

"I’m 25 years old and work as an assistant financial accountant; I spend my working week behind a desk analysing spreadsheets- which does no favours for the posture!

I contacted Mark back in January 2019 but had the ‘new year, new me’ mentality and never actually booked in for the initial consultation until 3 months later. Mark put me at ease and we developed a plan of action for the following months to help me achieve my goals. I began my training programme the following day (I didn’t want time to talk my way out of it) and started training three times a week in his studio."

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At the beginning, in May, I was tipping the scales at over 14stone which pointed my BMI score way into the obese category considering my 5”4 frame.

I carried the excess weight in all areas of my body and would previously describe myself as a yo-yo dieter. I would follow the usual cycle of: crash diet, deprive myself of my favourite foods, receive compliments on my quick weight loss then pile the pounds back on! I was very self-conscious, suffered with depression and anxiety since my late teens after an onset of health problems and generally just not living life as the best version of myself.

Mark created a friendly environment and amazingly adapted to training me in a way that would be beneficial for us both in sessions- spice girl music is a great motivator haha! Weighted exercises are now my favourite and I love that I have never had to spend hours on a treadmill to shift the weight!

We overhauled my view of a ‘diet’ but this took a little longer to click with me than the training. I became frustrated as my stomach can severely bloat due to suffering with endometrioses but Mark listened and cared for me. He adapted and tweaked dietary methods on a weekly basis until one suited best to help me achieve results.

I genuinely have not had 2 sessions the same, which is a credit to Mark’s knowledge and attention to detail with his clients. He is available on the phone for any further help when I have aches/ pains or need to know which yoghurt to choose in a shop and has continued to PT me online through this pandemic!

12 months progress of regular exercise and I’m in such a better place after losing 2.5 stone. Going to the gym is now my outlet after a stressful day in the office and I enjoy having my independence back.

I no longer stress about dressing up for social occasions (or where the dreaded spanx are) and am confident in my own body. My health issues have improved dramatically and I now understand the healthy and attainable way of losing weight thanks to Mark.
Looking back at my ‘before’ photo it makes me realise how far I have come, but that is the biggest compliment I can give Mark- I am now proud of myself and would never had thought that before. I’m excited to see what I achieve in the next 12months now!"

Sarah

"I had been diagnosed with the early stages of osteoporosis"

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"Hi, I’m Sarah Gibbs. I’m 63. I live in Lancing, West Sussex. I am semi-retired, a mother and a Granny.

I had had desk-bound jobs for most of my life and, although I had always maintained good
fitness with activities that I enjoyed such as walking, dancing, playing tennis, yoga and tai
chi, I had noticed that my body had started to lack general overall strength and muscle tone.
Also, I had been diagnosed with the early stages of osteoporosis and I wanted to find a
fitness that would stabilise the disease and hopefully reverse it (in combination with tackling
it with medication)

I had tried gyms in the past, but I wanted some personal advice that would be tailor made to my age, fitness levels, and that I could do on a regular basis at home that would maintain overall body strength and tone. And so, in summer 2019, I found Mark, a local personal trainer. I had often walked past his private studio in Lancing and decided to contact him.

Before coming to Mark, my physical fitness levels were good/average, however I lacked
overall strength and muscle tone. No major injuries or limitations. Occasional high blood
pressure as I had moved through the menopause. I had noticed also that coming through
the menopause my skin had started to lose its suppleness.

Body shape: slim. Clothes size: 10/12. Weight: 63.1kg. Height: 166cm. I had just been diagnosed with the early stages of osteoporosis and I wanted a tailor-made fitness programme that would help stabilise the disease and hopefully reverse it (in combination with tackling it with medication), and that I could keep up with myself at home. I was generally happy with my shape/size, although
wanted to lose a few kilos. Ultimately, I wanted to tone up, gain strength, and improve my
cardiovascular fitness that would help maintain my fitness and strength into my later years. I
have a healthy diet and eat lots of fruit and vegetables, prepare and cook fresh food daily,
and avoid sugary foods.

During my first session with Mark we spent an hour discussing my health and lifestyle, my
aims and goals, and my current fitness activities. He carried out a range of health and
fitness tests that calculated things like Body Mass Index, Body Fat Percentage, Visceral Fat
Level, Skeletal Muscle, Metabolic Age, Bone Mass, Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular fitness,
Upper Body Muscular Endurance, Flexibility, and Core Strength.

He then put together a programme of tailor-made hour long strengthening and toning
exercises for Legs/Bum, Arms, Abs, & Shoulders. We practised these at Mark’s gym for
around 8-10 sessions until I felt confident to be able to carry on with them at home. Most
don’t require equipment, however, I have since invested in some Fitness Bands, some
weights, and I had a Swiss Ball anyway.

These sessions were definitely challenging, and I realised that my muscle strength and
cardiovascular fitness did indeed need improving.

It was tough at first to maintain the motivation to carry on with Mark’s hour-long exercises –
an hour a day, four days a week. I was keeping up with my other fitness activities such as
yoga and tai chi and walking, and there is a certain amount of dedication that is needed to
fit in a whole range of fitness regimes (timewise it can be difficult too).

At the beginning of this year, I decided to join a local gym to give me that extra bit of
motivation and encouragement that would help me incorporate Mark’s programme with
extra equipment and in a fitness environment. I didn’t want to give up on the valuable
advice and help that Mark had given me. It was a real help to be able to continue with
Mark’s programme at the gym, and I also enjoyed the BodyTracker machine that measured
my fitness progress and helped me to set goals.

However, we now find ourselves home-bound during this scary Coronavirus epidemic. Mark’s
programme is ideal for this scenario. Combined with my gym experience, I am feeling
stronger, motivated and more confident to very happily continue with Mark’s programme on
my own at home.
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Since the 6 months of finding Mark and doing his fitness programme plus going to the gym, I
now feel stronger (particularly in the upper body), my muscles are more toned, I am more
energetic, and I enjoy doing the exercises themselves. I have gradually lost a bit of weight, 3
kilos. I am waiting for another DEXA scan to be done later this year (hopefully) that will
measure my bone density when I can gauge whether the strengthening fitness combined
with the osteoporosis medication has stabilised the early osteoporosis.

I look after my grandson (aged 2) once a week and it’s great to have the energy, strength
and flexibility to do this.

So, thanks to Mark, I am well on the way to maintaining a great fitness regime that will help
me to keep fit and healthy in years to come."

Helen

​"Fast forward several years to a desk job and grown up children, I discovered that not only is middle aged spread real, but that it had well and truly arrived!  I had piled on 10 or so KGs and was really really, unhappy about the way I looked and felt about myself. "

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I am 53 and have always been lucky in that I could eat exactly what I wanted, had an active job, a dog who needed walking, and children to run around after so other than an occasional pilates or yoga class, I didn’t exercise but stayed trim and healthy.

Fast forward several years to a desk job and grown up children, I discovered that not only is middle aged spread real, but that it had well and truly arrived!  I had piled on 10 or so KGs and was really really, unhappy about the way I looked and felt about myself.

It seemed like fate that I came across Mark’s advertisement and I just knew that this was my chance to take the reins and do something about my weight, fitness and health.

From the outset, Mark was knowledgeable, professional and without judgment.  I was recovering from a frozen shoulder and still had limited mobility as well as some pain.  This made me very protective and at times reluctant to do all of the exercises. Mark was very patient and I quickly came to realise that he really did know what he was talking about and I completely put my trust in him.  

The sessions have always been at exactly the right level; gradually increasing in intensity but never more than is achievable.  I have really surprised myself by finding that I now actually enjoy working out and look forward to my sessions.

Mark’s nutritional knowledge and guidance has been brilliant and he has given me a much greater understanding of which foods best serve my body.  It’s not a diet of deprivation, just making some changes to the types of food that I eat as well as when I eat them.

I can honestly say that after just a few months I feel so much better.  I’ve lost weight, gained muscle and have so much more energy. It’s not just physical health though; mentally I’m stronger, more self-assured, alert and happier.

Thank you Mark for all that you do, you really have made a difference!"

Dee

​"My name is Dee Barber, I'm 71 years of age and am retired.

My reason for signing up with Mark was I didn't want to be an old lady in 10 years time, walking with a stick and having a mobility problem.

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Before coming to Mark I felt drained, old and fat.

I felt nervous and very unsure and my biggest concerns were: Am I too old to start training, what would he think of my shape and lack of fitness?

I felt very self conscious not having ever been in a gym.

Not knowing what to expect or wear. I felt extremely inadequate and worried about friends thinking I was silly or laugh at me, at what I was attempting to do.

I felt embarrassed and very unsure of myself.

I weighed 82.6kg and describe myself as fat and getting fatter. My dress size was 18+

I found walking difficult, which stopped me dog walking with my friends. I got out of breath going up stairs and always held on to the rail or stair in front of me.

When walking I took small steps and was hunched forwards which gave me very bad posture. My knees were very stiff and I had to give up dancing which I enjoyed.

I'd been thinking of doing something about it but not sure what, or where to go, as the thought of going to a public gym with lots of other people just scared me.

So, after having spoken a year ago to a friend who had amazing results with Mark, I asked him for his details but I was still very unsure.

Then, one morning I woke up and thought I just have to go for it!

This took some courage, but I thought I'll just go and see if I like it and if I don't or I feel uncomfortable, I don't have to go back.

This is when everything changed.

After speaking with Mark at his free consultation, I felt I wasn't a complete disaster and there was a lot I could do to change my way of life.

Mark gave me encouragement and made me feel completely at ease and took away a lot of my fears and anxiety.

Mark started me on a programme of sensible eating (not a diet) and exercise which wasn't difficult to achieve and that encouraged me to keep going.

I felt comfortable in just a baggy t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms (no need for special clothing). Mark made me start to feel good about myself, encouraging me through all the exercises.

Now after just a few months I feel confident to wear proper gym wear. I am mentally brighter, happier and definitely fitter!

I look forward to my gym sessions. I never thought I would be using weights and other equipment and even a bit of boxing (pad punching)!

Now sessions are tougher but achieving a higher standard gives me enormous satisfaction, friends have even noticed a difference in my physical and mental health.

Although, weight loss wasn't my priority, fitness and feeling better was.

3 Months later and I now weigh 75.1kg, my visceral fat has reduced from 13 to 11.5, my BMI has gone from 30.3 to 27.6, body fat 47.8% to 44% and my hips from 116.5cm to 110.1cm.

I stand straighter (and when I went for a check up at the surgery, the nurse said my height had increased), walk better and have gone down to smaller trousers and dresses.

I have more energy to do the things I like doing and importantly in the process of coming off my blood pressure medication as it has come down and stabilised.

I've also managed to reduce my pain relief medication (for my neck following surgery) which I had been taking for 12 years. Hope to soon be able to stop taking it completely.

I see this as a major change in my life. I can now run up and down the stairs without holding on and my general fitness has improved.

I still have a way to go, but with Mark's help and encouragement, plus my determination, I know I will get there.

So far I feel I have achieved a lot in a relatively short time. I'm looking forward to the next few months working with Mark and achieving my next goals.

I never thought I would ever use a personal trainer, but having done so I know I couldn't have achieved what I have without Mark's help and guidance.

​Thank you Mark!"

Stephen

"I never would have thought I would look forward to a gym session but with Mark’s support and encouragement it has changed my life in such a positive way."

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I am Stephen, a man of a certain age.

I work for a local authority as a member of the management team in Learning Disabilities residential home – hours can be long and stressful.

I would always use work being stressful as an excuse to eating junk and lots of treats.

I would say "well it’s going to be a tough shift" or "that was a tough shift I deserve a treat".

Enjoying my life, friends and family is so important to me, as is being active in my community.

I always have an amazing birthday week and one year I woke up and thought the world needs more of me and I should not die early from a heart attack.

I also started to lust after someone.

I was obese, unfit and felt old, not that anyone would say.

I started my own strict diet without any input from anyone else and I started to lose weight but I looked really old and flabby – I knew I needed to train or I would just be an old, flabby man and not what I wanted to be.

I felt old and very fat, and would just buy clothes in an extra size. My biggest fear was not being able to do it – the sense of failure before starting.

What if I could not do exercise at my age and size.

I did wonder if a trainer would understand me and what I wanted. I was so fat and my weight topped at 18 ½ stone (117 kilos), XXL sizes in clothes.

I would not do any fitness exercises and I would perspire like a flowing river even at the thought of exercise. I also knew I did not want to train in a public gym or go running in public. That would have stopped me before I got started.

Mark having a private gym is amazing. Mark has so much confidence in me and my ability to train. He knows my body more than I do. When I think "no-way", Mark will encourage me.

I achieve and feel so fabulous and feel a great sense of achievement after a session.

I see changes in my body and I still get the wow factor at seeing bones, hips and muscles that were once covered by fat.

I look younger and fitter than I have ever been. I look amazing now in clothes that actually fit. I am no longer self conscious looking in a mirror which is so unbelievable for me. I feel I can conquer the world, and my confidence when I walk in a room is so high.

I look forward to my sessions as it’s me time.

I attend a Dance Class weekly on top of 3 sessions with Mark and I have a new zeal for life and I am so much more happier with how I look. I have dropped 3-4 sizes in clothes and my metabolic age dropped by 17 years after being with Mark for a year.
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I never would have thought I would look forward to a gym session but with Mark’s support and encouragement it has changed my life in such a positive way.

Larissa

"The 'new' body gave me quite an ego boost and I'm not feeling bad any longer if I look into a mirror."

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With a body weight of 85 kilos and a height of 5'10 (177 cm) I had a BMI of 27.1 which is considered as overweight, and that's exactly how I felt!

Being 21, I didn't want to be out of breath after walking a few steps or riding my bike to Uni. I used to be pretty fit and seeing me losing control over my body didn't feel good.

My tummy was flabby, my face looked more and more like a full moon and my bum hardly fitted my jeans anymore. It felt like whatever I did to lose weight, it didn't work.

​I even had plans from personal trainers which I followed for ages. No results though. Moving from one place to another in the world every other month didn't exactly help to get my head around my personal well-being since I had other things to worry about in the first place.

I finally settled for one place in the world a few months ago and started playing volleyball straight away. The first training session was a disaster for me because I wasn't even able to follow the warm up without being out of breath. It made me realise I really had to do something about my weight.

Since I had no idea how to train effectively and achieve my goals I asked Mark for help. And I got it! Mark explained to me in great detail what I was doing wrong so far, why I had the feeling I wasn't able to lose weight and most importantly why all the other exercise plans I had didn't do anything but give me square shoulders. He understood what I wanted to achieve in the next months and put together a plan on what to do and how to do it. The great thing was he didn't only give me the plan but he explained to me why I should do it this way and not any other way. It all made sense to me now and wasn't just a stupid routine I was following. But not only was the exercise plan important, he also made me reconsider my whole diet. I'm usually not a big fan of diet changes but Mark told me to give it a try. Mark was confident in what he was doing and convinced me of his knowledge afresh every day.

The plan I got was quite easy to follow and I never had the feeling of being under or over trained. I guess that was because it was individually made to measure me and to give me the right amount of exercise based on my fitness level. I'm not saying he made the plan too easy for me. I had to push myself almost every time to pull through with the plan and not give up half way through. But it was worth it.

I lost 10.4 kg in 6 weeks and it's still going down. The BMI is down to 23.9 which is considered as normal weight. My tummy is getting less and less flabby, the full moon face is a decreasing moon face and I even had to get jeans in smaller sizes. Since I started working out my life changed completely. I have much more energy and feel better about myself. Once I got the gym into my (almost) daily routine I actually started missing it when it was closed. My diet change had a great impact on how much weight I lost and I'm glad Mark was always there for support when I told him I wanted to have chocolate and couldn't because he told me not to.

The “new” body gave me quite an ego boost and I'm not feeling bad any longer if I look into a mirror. I'm going to keep losing a few more kilos and keep going with the new healthy lifestyle.​

DR NATASHA EMIN

"Mark has been a true inspiration and gift to my life!"
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I have been overweight most of my adult life and have been to diet club after diet club with no real lasting success. I began working with Mark 15 months ago and have managed to lose 8 stone!

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Mark’s expert understanding has been instrumental in my transformation. In addition to being very knowledgeable in his field, Mark quickly understood my goals and has continually provided advice and varied programmes. He uses a holistic approach, incorporating flexibility, strength, posture, balance, endurance along with promoting a healthy eating regime. He is encouraging without being “soft” on me. He constantly motivates me to move through the difficult moments. Most importantly – he ensures I am doing the exercises correctly and reinforces how it will benefit.

The results have been significant. I am happier, leaner, more toned and far fitter than before. Even my friends and colleagues have noted the difference! I would not hesitate in recommending Mark to anyone struggling with weight loss he has been a true inspiration and gift to my life.

Dean

"I don’t have to breathe in anymore when someone takes my photograph. My 38” trousers are seldom worn and only with a belt."
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Starting stats: Age 51, Height: 5ft 10” medium build, Weight 90.2kg, Body Fat 29.2%, Muscle 60.7kg, Metabolic Age 66, Visceral Fat 13.5, Blood Pressure 152/91, Waist 96.7cm.

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This was a real eye-opener because not only has Mark understood my objectives (and injuries) but he also continues to make the sessions interesting to the extent that I’m not going through the same old routine every time (like I did at the gym).

It means that different body parts go through various exercises and I therefore get stronger and fitter all over.

As with the readings above, it’s what you don’t see that is equally if not more important than the improvements in your physical shape. For example through working with Mark, I have lost weight initially (fat) but then gradually gained it with muscle. I’m therefore able to consume more calories each day without putting on weight.

Blood pressure, heart rate again are important factors which have improved through exercise and working with Mark

Before I felt sluggish and tired. Now I have a lot more energy and confidence in how I look and how my body is functioning.

It’s also supported my diet in the way that I eat during the day and not succumb to the likes of cakes, chocolate, crisps etc which are more of a treat than a daily snack.

I don’t have to breathe in anymore when someone takes my photograph. My 38” trousers are seldom worn and only with a belt.

Whilst my toes still restrict some movement I can still do most exercises and often do so at home in between sessions with Mark. There are so many simple but effective workouts you can do at home in a small space without the need for specialist equipment.

I wouldn’t have thought about this until meeting with Mark and taking part.

After – present day

Weight 91.8kg, Body Fat 23.9%, Muscle 66.1kg, Metabolic age 48, Visceral Fat 11, Blood Pressure 116/77, Waist 94.1cm

Adam

​"I knew I could either wallow in self-pity, or do something about it."
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My main goals were to lose my gut, feel physically and mentally stronger and gain a bit of muscle.

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From working in an office for 5 years with no physical activity routine, I was feeling permanently tired and drained. As my metabolism had been slowing down, I was putting on quite a bit of weight. In turn, this damaged my body confidence and overall was negatively impacting my mental well-being. I knew I could either wallow in self-pity, or do something about it.

After being skinny most of my youth, I had developed an oversized gut into young adulthood. When I started seeing Mark, my weight was 95.3kg, with body fat at 26.2%. My waist was the largest it had been my whole life at 36 inches and I’d get in a sweat just doing general basic household activities. Overall I was lacking energy and finding that I ‘couldn’t be bothered’ to do simple things.

Mark listened to what I wanted to achieve and came up with a simple to follow nutrition plan and exercise routine that would help me get there. Most importantly, Mark has been motivating me to make these routines habitual, rather than a momentary fad.

I feel mentally and physically sharper. I now have energy throughout the day which has improved my performance at work. Day-to-day tasks no longer feel like a chore, and the improvement I’ve noticed in my physique has improved my love-life.

I’m now able to fit into 32 inch waist trousers & jeans, my gut has all but disappeared and my BMI is now considered ‘healthy’ – with my weight now down to 84.4kg and body fat at 20.6%. I recently got involved with a charity run which I wouldn’t have had a hope in doing before any of this. There have been a few positive side-effects from this as well, for example my blood pressure and heart rates are lower.