Max enabled me to achieve things I never thought possible, and I never realised I wanted. It’s not easy. But Max helps you achieve it.
My main reason for contacting Max was because I felt I was in a rut with regards to my running – I couldn’t get any faster and running was becoming a chore. I ran the Wilmslow half marathon in 2014 in 1 hour 53, and want to do it quicker this year – but simply couldn’t go any faster in my training. I also suspected (but didn’t dare admit it) that I was putting on too much weight. I kept on looking at photos of myself thinking that maybe the camera was wrong… but then eventually started to realise that it was me. I found myself shuffling to the back in any photo.
Before I saw Max I used to run about three times a week, and swam once a week. Although I was quite fit, I had no core strength, and was unable to push myself. Now, in a typical week I will run twice (once with Max’s running club), and do some ‘exercises’ based training (either personal session with Max / Max’s boot camp /or exercises at home that I’ve learnt from Max) probably three times a week. I know that my exercise is now more balanced, and can help me achieve my goals. Having said that – Max pushes very hard. I found his programme very challenging – not impossible by any means (because Max is so amazingly motivating). However, my body has found some of the exercises very hard. I thought I was pushing myself before – I now know this was not the case. Max pushes you to your limits. But he does so in a very good way.
Since training with Max I have noticed a million benefits. I am fitter. I am healthier. I eat better food, I sleep better, I am slimmer. I drink less alcohol. I feel better about myself. I run faster. I believe I can achieve goals. And although I’m no longer dashing to the front of the photo, I’m now OK to stay in the midway point!
So far my biggest achievement is loosing weight (about 20lbs). And I never ever thought that was possible. I am now the same weight as I was 20 years ago, when I was a student. Which is amazing for me. My running time has also got significantly better (by about 35 seconds per mile) which is putting me in a good position for Wilmslow half marathon this year.
The Body Composition Analyser (BCA) consultation process is brilliant. Max and I set some specific goals relating to body fat and body weight. Over the 11 week personal training programme, we had 2 goals – one at the half way point, and one at the end. Because we had set these goals, I felt I couldn’t deviate from the programme. I couldn’t cheat the system, or me, or Max. He puts so much into your progress that I felt I’d be letting him down as well. It gave me the strength to keep up with the exercises and the healthy eating. I also found it fascinating – I learnt about my water content, my muscle content, fat content, how many calories I burn in a typical day. To see the scientific fact behind all the hard work was very motivating for me.
My first advice is to believe in yourself. Max enabled me to achieve things I never thought possible, and I never realised I wanted. It’s not easy. But Max helps you achieve it. My other advice would be to be open minded. In my first consultation with Max he asked me to keep a food diary. He gave me feedback on this before giving me some really helpful meal ideas and structured food plans – I need this rigidity to give me something to stick to. When I first looked at his food plan, I really was uncertain about whether or not I’d be able to do it – there was some food on there that I wasn’t sure I’d like (and quite a bit not on there that I do!). I gave most of it a go (Max swapped a couple of items that I really didn’t fancy) and I can honestly say it’s changed how I eat and how I think about food.
I am extremely happy about my progress and I feel so much more positive about myself. My next goal is to retain this new approach to lifestyle, fitness and eating. I want to keep my weight down. I want to tone up more. And I want to run the Wilmslow half marathon in under 1 hour 49. I’ve signed up for the next 6 week boot camp which I’m looking forward to.
Since this Rebecca completed the Wilmslow Half Marathon in 1 hour 42. Well done from MK27Fitness