Lachlan's Story:
My journey starts in August of 2008 when I stepped on a set of scales and weighed in at 142kg. I knew I was carrying a bit extra but was completely in denial about just how much extra.
Airline seats were becoming very uncomfortable which added plenty of embarrassment to the stress of business travel. Just walking around a park or mall with my kids left me feeling fatigued to the point where I felt I was failing as a parent because I couldn’t keep up with my kids. I would even get tired standing in a crowd watching a band!
Being in denial, I started to get my wife to buy me clothes because I couldn’t face looking at the size on the label and when I did muster up the courage to shop, it would be sneaking into the ‘big and tall’ section, surreptitiously, as if it was an adult bookstore. When the lifts in my office building were refurbished with floor to ceiling mirrors the ride up 15 floors was excruciating for me because I couldn’t stand to see my reflection. The person looking back wasn’t me.
I allowed myself to believe that so many elements in my life were greater priorities than my own well-being. The toughest part to all this was my continued belief that the external factors in my life were not only more important than looking after myself, but also prohibited me from looking after myself. I hid my self-loathing from my friends and family by redoubling my efforts at work. I really felt like I’d crumble at any moment but couldn’t allow myself to relent because I was supposed to be the foundation for those around me. The more I loathed myself, the more I felt myself beginning to resent the efforts I made to care for those around me with my greatest fear being that one morning I’d wake up and stop caring.
Things are very different now.
A powerful image from a Japanese legend solidified my decision to make an immediate change: when a koi fish can swim up a waterfall it will transform into a dragon. That summed it up for me, so much so that it now adorns my calf in a massive tattoo to remind me of the challenge I overcame. I refocused my efforts to put my well-being first, making the commitment to myself that a better me meant a better family life and a better work life. I call it constructive selfishness - the Bodyblitz has enlightened me to how powerful a concept it can be.
I set myself on a new course and started with just 30 minutes a day of time for myself and started some light exercise. I told my wife, kids, staff, boss, friends and family that for 30 minutes every day I wanted time alone to improve myself. I became so serious and focused that I’d interrupt client meetings by pulling out a protein bar, banana or tin of tuna and excusing myself but telling them it was time for me to eat. I told them all that for 30 minutes a day I was going to be selfish for all the right reasons. It worked.
In August 2009, I met Jay Bonaretti, a former Bodyblitz Grand Champion who helped me take the next steps in transforming my life. I’ve been training with Jay ever since. Each session I’d ask Jay about his experiences of the Bodyblitz and I’m sure he could see I was building up to going for it myself. When he stopped answering my questions, I knew in myself that it was time I stopped analysing the challenge and start living it.
When I thought back to the old 142kg version of myself I was intent to never allow myself to return to those times or those feelings. So I made sure that I took on the Bodyblitz with 100% effort from the outset. There was no warm up, no steady build; it was about starting day 1 with my peak level of intensity. In hindsight, I learned that it’s very easy for anyone to sprint to the line when the finish is in sight but it takes a higher degree of self belief to sprint from the starting line when you can’t see the end.
For me, the Bodyblitz put a timeframe, a finite limit on the sort of exercise that anyone might do and say something like, “Oh I just work out to maintain my shape”. Well, to hell with that. Maintenance equals complacency. There’s no push in maintenance! Why train at such intense levels to stay the same? Given a time limit like the Bodyblitz, I broke through every mental barrier that I had inadvertently constructed that served absolutely no purpose in my life other than to limit my ambition. I found that achieving my physical goals loosened the mental barriers I’d built around what, I thought, were my limitations. Best of all I can apply the same principles of the Bodyblitz to my work life, making every situation a case of challenge – intensity – completion – reward. How satisfying to live a life full of ongoing rewards!
Now allow me to put a little more perspective on this: I’m 37, a husband, father of two, Managing Director of a successful advertising business and studying a Masters degree. That’s a lot for anyone to undertake at the best of times, let alone overlaying a 12 week body transformation challenge on top! The transformation I made to my body was matched by the transformation I’ve made to my lifestyle. My Bodyblitz experience has taught me that intensity AND focus are both required to deliver a true feeling of accomplishment and self-fulfilment. To be in a position to live this every moment and share it across all areas of my life is just amazing and feels so rewarding.
For me, the Bodyblitz put a name and a renewed focus to a process of personal discovery and betterment that I started two years ago. It shocked me into the next stage of my ongoing transformation. When I lift, I’m going for more reps and more weight than the last time. When I’m doing a cardio workout, I’m giving it my all and not holding anything back in the tank. The most important thing I took from the Bodyblitz competition was gaining a complete confidence in myself that I could finish what I started; that I could set a goal and I could reach it – never mind the sacrifices, never mind the other influences and responsibilities in my life; once committed I can do whatever I choose to achieve.
Lachlan's Testimonial about our Online Personal Training Services:
"I’ve been working with Jay (through Amino Z) for almost 2 years now. I’ve stuck with Jay throughout this time because I’ve found his programs to be very effective as well as varied enough to keep me motivated, challenged and seeing continual improvement.
Jay’s support was incredible throughout my recent bodyblitz entry, something that I would never have thought myself able to achieve.
The greatest learning I’ve taken from Jay is a holistic approach to fitness – exercise and diet alone are not enough. It’s really the mindset with which you approach every challenge, every day, every rep, every meal that can give you great results. Jay seems to have an exceptional talent at bringing that out in his clients"
From the Trainer (Jay Bonaretti):
Having trained with Lachlan for almost two years, I’ve had the opportunity to know him quite well. He is the type of person that once he sets his mind to something, he will make it happen. So right from the time that we began our training together, I had very high expectations of what he would be able to accomplish (just as I’m sure he did!).
Initially in August 2009, Lok explained to me that he used to weigh 142kg. He managed to lose 50kg of his own accord which is a phenomenal achievement in itself. During our initial consultation, he explained to me that he still wasn’t happy. While he had been doing cardio exercise and some weight training too, but really did not know how to step things up to the next level.
We commenced training together and Lachlan experienced some exceptional results within the first few months. His initial goal was bodyfat orientated and he initially lowered his bodyfat percentage right down to 14.1% (from 22.7% in August 2008) over an initial 12 week period of training. Following this, the focus with his training and nutrition shifted to more substantial muscle development over a longer period of time. Lachlan experienced consistent results, gaining over 5kg of lean mass in a year while continuing to lower his body fat percentage at a much slower rate. His training varied between periodic muscle development phases, and fat loss phases.
As we continued to train together, we introduced more challenging training approaches to really maximise his results. The goal here was not only to challenge Lachlan physically, but mentally as well. I tell you what, I’ve thrown some real dooseys into the training mix and never once did he complain – the job was just “done”.
And that is exactly the mentality Lachlan utilised when he decided to enter into the BodyBlitz 12 week competition. He was very serious – so I made no hesitation in advising him that he would be pushed to his physical and mental limits throughout the challenge (as I knew from my own first-hand experience). However I also had no hesitation in advising him that he could win the challenge with his passion and determination. Not surprisingly, Lachlan took the bull by the horns and took the challenge head-on.
Over 12 weeks of grueling training, I had Lachlan performing a strategically developed high intensity interval cardio numerous times each week, in addition to high intensity weight training sessions, while following a calorie-restricted diet. Even with an extremely busy work life, Lachlan managed to always integrate the principles we discussed and never once made an excuse to vary from the necessary approach.
The results speak for themselves.
Having trained consistently and intelligently for almost two years, these final photographs are a representation of what serious dedication to yourself can result in. These photo's are nothing short of mind-blowing and I truly respect what Lachlan has done to improve his life dramatically.
As a trainer, it’s always a pleasure training with Lachlan. He gets the job done without hesitation. To think that he has come all this way from being 142kg is utterly amazing and I take my hat off to him for such a phenomenal accomplishment. I find it very moving to read through his essay to gain a rich understand where he has come from and where is now at. It’s amazing just to see what a different person he now is.
So on a final note, congratulations Lok on a job extremely well done. I am looking forward to our continued work together as you embark upon accomplishing even bigger goals!
