Why I started training with Neil Bowman Training
Over a number a of years I gained a substantial amount of weight, due mostly to bad eating habits. I work in an office and so these habits developed as a result of zero meal preparation, little knowledge of nutrition and eating mostly deli or take-away food. I never took into consideration what I needed to eat and more importantly when to eat therefore I sometimes skipped breakfast and even if I didn’t I ate crap food. For lunch I mostly ate chicken baguettes, I also snacked on food with no nutritional value as I now know. I was too self conscience to go to the gym and wouldn’t have known where to start. After a health check in work I knew I had to make a serious change. I had noticed that a colleague always brought in prepared breakfast and lunches. After speaking with him he suggested I join Neil Bowman Training in Blackrock. He was going twice a week to a group training session and spoke about it very positively.
My goals
My goals were simple, lose the weight I had gained, get fit, build strength and get more energy. But as I trained it became more about reaching the next target we set, Neil broke down my longer term goals into achievable targets.
Each week we set a target for a small reduction in weight, nutritional we set about creating good eating habits. The Nutritional advice Neil gave me was straightforward, simple and very easy to stick to in the long term.
My training
Over the first few sessions Neil explained how to lift weights correctly so as to reduce the risk of injury, we worked with dumbbells and fixed weight machines to build strength and conditioning. My starting fitness level was so poor that Neil got me to focus on cardio sessions which developed my cardiovascular fitness which he insisted was fundamental in developing all aspects of health and fitness. Once my cardiovascular fitness was at a reasonable level Neil changed my training to a mix of high intensity HIIT sessions with boxing, weights, bodyweight exercises and every other form of training you can think of. I never knew what was coming next, this meant I was always learning about exercise and how far I could push myself.
My results
This has been a transformational journey for me. I feel like a new person. So far I’ve lost an unbelievable 100lbs. The feedback has been overwhelming from people in the gym to colleagues at work and my friends and family.
What’s next?
The journey continues for me as I now have the confidence, knowledge and experience to understand what is required to set and achieve new goals. From basic maintenance to furthering my fitness and strength through a balanced diet and correct training.
Thanks Neil you changed my life.
