Ken - The L.E.A.N MindBody Coach

It can be tough to look in the mirror and feel disappointed and embarrassed by your body. 

I know because I used to feel that way. Even though I had worked for years as a personal development trainer and motivational speaker, behind the public persona was an individual dealing with his own life challenges, particularly about weight and appearance.

I always found it hard to stick to my weight loss and healthy eating goals. Sometimes, even a small setback would be enough to derail my diet. 

Over the years, I tried countless diet plans. While I scored some minor victories along the way, I could not follow these diets long-term because they made my food choices too restricted. As a result, I would lose focus and motivation and regain all the pounds lost.

Often, I knew what I was eating was bad for me, but I still ate it. Looking back, it feels as if I was punishing myself in some way. Then, at the age of 50, I had enough – enough of being tired and living in a body I hated. I was determined to finally turn my life around, lose the excess weight for good, and maintain a healthy body for life. 

As part of that effort, I became a certified health coach and also obtained a qualification in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Both taught me a lot about the body and mind and helped me draw closer to my health and fitness goals. I was on the path to real change until, all of a sudden, I was left reeling by the most devastating event in my life – the passing of my beloved mother. 

This loss sent me on a downward spiral, trapping me into mood swings and comfort eating. Not only did I regain the weight, but I also gained some on top of that. Food was my sole comfort. While I knew my health and body were going downhill, part of me did not care. I simply could not bear another restrictive, soul-sucking, low-calorie diet.

The moment of change came one day whilst I was out shopping. When I tried a new top in the changing room and I could not believe my eyes!

While I knew I had gained some weight, it was right there and then that I became utterly devastated and disgusted with my reflection in the mirror. 

It was one of those moments that hit you so hard, slaps you in the face and wakes you up?

I knew I had to change, as my energy levels and overall health was declining, my moods were erratic and I was not in healthy state of mind. I was getting our of breath very easily. My weight gain and declining health was also affecting my relationship with my daughters.

If I allow myself to decline further, put on more weight and get sick through the process, I would not only failing myself I thought, I would be failing my children. If I don’t have the energy to have fun with them or the health to be able to support them, if and when they needed it; I would not be living as the kind of father I believed I should be. This became a big motivating factor for change for me.

I knew I had to change, so I committed to slimming down and becoming healthier.  I began an intense home workout programme, as I thought it had to be the best way for me to lose weight. While this helped a little, it failed to produce the change I was hoping for, and the exercise intensity was not sustainable for me.