Throughout my life I've always kept fairly fit. I played rugby but decided pretty early on in my career that it was easier to be a big fat forward than a chiselled fit back. Of course the pre-requisite for pub/club rugby is being able to drink your body-weight in alcohol... Whoops!
Life continued in this vein for a few years and the weight crept up on me. I took up running and managed to lose a little bit of weight. I even managed to finish two marathons! Unfortunately my brain is wired to thinking that more exercise equals more food, which is a complete fallacy! I managed to break a bone in my foot whilst training for my third marathon, I stepped off a curb awkwardly at around the 18 mile mark and broke a little tiny bone just under my ankle. I haven't been able to run further than a few miles since. These days I enjoy mountain-biking and road cycling. Unfortunately the weights still piling on despite fairly high mileages on the road.
Drastic times call for drastic measures so a bit of research was needed. I looked at all the fitness magazines on sale and basically put together a program based on weights and cardio with a nutritional increase in protein and a decrease in carbs to achieve weight loss.
One of the unfortunate truths about the six pack is that you cant reduce your flabby gut by doing endless sit-ups. First you have to lose the blubber to be able to see the muscles underneath. And that means really focussing on what you shove in your mouth. Also eat about six small meals a day rather than 3 big ones. The thinking here is that your metabolism will be really revved up by the little and often routine.
A few sacrifices are needed of course. 
Out go snacks, crisps, biscuits, cakes, bread, potatoes, pasta, pastry, fruit juices and of course alcohol in every form 
I'll be using Maximuscle products to assist me get the right amount of protein and nutrients that I'll need. Ive opted for Diet Promax for the protein and Viper for the rehydration during long rides.
Day one... Initial weigh in... 233 lbs with bodyfat at 34.4 % (bloody hell Im clinically obese!)As you can see by the picture my belly is turning into something I can rest my pint on and my arse has decided to head south for the winter! The Reebok advert (belly's gonna get you) springs instantly to mind!
Anyway, woke up after a nice lie in, mixed my sports drink and headed out for a 20 mile easy cycle ride. Felt good. Late breakfast was a protein shake. Lunch a tuna salad pitta bread (just one). Mid afternoon another protein shake and an apple. Dinner was a grilled chicken breast and vegetables. If I get the munchies in the evening then Im allowed another protein shake or some cottage cheese just before bed. Eek! No-one ever said it would be easy! This is going to be pretty much my diet for the next few months. So I'd better get used to it!
Surprisingly I haven't been hungry today at all. Apparently thats down to the increased protein intake which makes you feel fuller. It works!
My goal is to obviously achieve a six pack. This means getting my percentage of body fat down to below 15%... over half of what it is now which is a tall order. Im looking forward to it with a strange sense of perverse self torture. It'll be a huge committment but one I feel I can achieve.
I'll add to this blog weekly or whenever a mile-stone is reached... either that or depression gets the better of me and you hear about my untimely demise due to over-dosing on Mars Bars and Guinness on the news!
Follow me week by week in my quest to obtain that elusive creature the six pack!