12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days. It is amazing what can happen in such a short timeframe as this.

December 2007, I was pushing 17 stone in weight, wearing 40” waist trousers and generally feeling about as bottom of the barrel as I could. I decided that I needed to do something about it. I had seen a TV article about Ian just after his Worlds win in 2007 and after chatting with my friend about it he mentioned that Ian was running personal training sessions. After a quick Google I found his web site.

I had been a member at Ian’s Future Bodies gym in Morley so I knew the kind of person he was, straight talking, approachable and knowledgeable. This probably helped more than anything as I ummed and ahh’d about contacting him, I mean, personal training is reserved for celebrities, not a commoner like me. Taking that step and contacting him is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

He quickly arranged a meeting to discuss what I was after (lose weight, get my mobility back and stop feeling like a cart horse). He took me through the sort of work we would be doing and discussed my diet, we decided on two sessions per week and then he said “lets get started” and I had my first session. 20 minutes later and trying to breathe through my ears I knew that this was for me.

He built up my confidence using some basic exercises to work the major muscle groups whilst keeping the intensity high so that it was also building up my fitness. After a couple of sessions like this that he introduced me to his ‘Boot Camp’ training.

Boot Camps are tough but they are where I have made my biggest gains. What gets you through them are Ian’s constant words of encouragement, keeping you focused on why you are doing this and what you have already achieved. He plans each session so that you progress each and every week you train.

Having said that, during a boot camp session, Ian has been off my Christmas card list more times than I can remember. You will always remember your first boot camp, and you will always look forward to the next one I did start to notice the changes though and not just in my physique

I have always struggled with depression and constantly going through the cycle of feeling down, going onto tablets, feeling better, coming off the tablets and then starting to feel depressed again. Since starting the training with Ian, I can honestly say that it is the longest period of time where I have consistently felt happy and good about myself without the need for medication. Exercise naturally makes you feel good about yourself. This is all down to the training methods Ian uses with you

I know there are others that will relate to this cycle and it made me think, how can I help other people feel like this? Well, one way was to become a Personal Trainer and follow the methods that Ian utilises. So I did something about it and took another big step, the second in a year. I enrolled onto a YMCA Gym Instructor course, found that I really enjoyed doing this and gained their qualification.

Thanks to Ian’s encouragement and advice I am starting up my own PT business which will follow his Train to Train programme. I already have a couple of clients who I train, and I get as big a rush after training someone as I do when I have trained myself. Hopefully 2009 will see my business develop.

12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days. Almost 3 stone in weight lost, proud owner of a 34” waist and focusing on a complete life and career change. What more can I say about Ian.