Body Challenge Measurements: Before After Height: 165 cm 165 cm Weight: 77 kg 69.7 kg Chest: 100cm 102 cm Waist: 90.5 cm 79 cm Calves: 42 cm 41 cm Arms: 35 cm 36 cm Thighs: 58.5 cm 56.5 cm

When the button on my shorts popped and my stomach was hanging over I knew it was time to do something. I don’t drink alcohol so it was purely overeating, as I exercised. Well, at least I thought I did, but once I started on a proper program I realised I was just dabbling. The first week was easier than I imagined it. The second week was very hard as I added aerobic in the mornings and twice on non-weight days. As the weeks progressed it became more and more enjoyable. My original goal of just losing weight changed; I wanted to become a bodybuilder. This seemed illogical to be thinking of this at 49, but I was and still am enjoying sculpting my physique.

The challenge of lifting heavier weights in shaping one’s body is inspiring to see my body improve. Then all of a sudden came Christmas and school holidays. Man, this was tough, because like everyone else I love Christmas. With seven children, Chrisco arriving on your doorstep and all this beautiful food and lollies everywhere, it’s hard. I stayed focused and kept with the fish, salad and veggies. Trying to keep the children happy, my wife and doing my training I became the best juggler around. I am very lucky that my beautiful wife is also my training partner so she wouldn’t let me lapse too much. Then it happened — I pulled a calf muscle. It hurt heaps. So I gave up running and started swimming in our pool for half an hour or on the exercise bike. My children asked all the time, “Did you have a good training session?”

My actions are now mirrored by my children. They start the day with sit-ups and push-ups and my two oldest boys, aged 11 and 13 are doing their own weights program.

In the area I live there is a bodybuilding shop called Phil’s Fitness and Bodybuilding run by Phil Raymond. He was generous with his time and gave me free advice on supplements and heaps of encouragement. Having a backlog of Iron Man magazines allowed me to read articles on motivation and training methods which helped to stay focused. My stomach started to disappear, muscle replacing the fat which my life liked very much. Clothes I hadn’t worn for ages started to fit me again. Like all Dads, I have a cupboard full of out-of-date clothes. My energy levels are up and this time there is no going back, only forward. I am training for my first bodybuilding competition.

I would like to thank my wife Heather and my seven children for all their help and encouragement, also Phil. My advice to you is have a go today and not tomorrow. Thanks Iron Man Australia/Blitz Publications for the challenge. IM