Latest Testimonial

Weight Loss - by Martin Wheeler

NOW YOU SEE ME – NOW YOU DON’T

As discussed yesterday since the beginning of January 2008, I have lost 44 kg in weight and what an amazing feeling, knowing that I can enjoy life. Much more nowadays just by changing my lifestyle, it all started  On 7 January 2008 when the biggest loser SA series began, as you saw in the initial photo’s, I weighed 130kg.

I decided to challenge myself by following biggest loser SA , I bought myself  a Trojan exercise bike and structured my own diet  which I followed without having any negative side effects as well as not starving myself , the diet also entailed gallons of mineral water / soda water.

Once I started seeing results I could not stop I exercised daily mostly Cardiovascular on the exercise bike (going nowhere slowly) and stuck too my diet consisting mainly of various variants of fish, salads and vegetables, I cut out my starches as far as possible by concentrating on brown rice as well as only two slices of brown whole wheat bread per day’s also cut out gas coldrinks especially coke as well as alcohol (beer).

The initial four months started coming to an end when I decided I wanted to go one step further cycling as a sport. I lost an initial +-26kg from 7 January 2008 until 28 April 2008 burning +- 48000 calories on the exercise bike which i plotted in a graph to check my progress. I found out cycling was not just a question of going to a retailer to by a cycle as I purchased a cycle which did not suit my specifications whatsoever that being height and the size of the bike frame , weight of bike , components just to mention a few issues . This was realised when i took the cycle for a bike setup at Cycle Lab, I was in the process of joining Cycle Lab and obtaining my license. Once i found out the cycle was not going to suit my needs I asked a Cycle Lab rep. For assistance in finding me a cycle. Jackpot a trek 1200 – hybrid. Setup percent. To date I have had no issues with the cycles. My next goal was to get my membership finalised , CSA licensing , club clothing , cycling gear , polar cs300 watch ,  Andrew’s powerade training guide 2008 and the most important looking for races where I could participate in.  The main goal being to race in 40-60km races so that I could attempt the 94.7 cycle challenge.

My routine continued  and towards the end of April rode in the wilro challenge my first race of +- 60km ( the fish took the bait ) since that race I just became more and more committed and gradually entered more races deciding in July to try the 108km mountain 2 mountain road race in Tzaneen ,  What a mission but I finished my times have gradually improved and I am satisfied with what i have achieved, taking part in the lost city classic 106km, dome 2dome 116km, amashova 106km, Telkom satellite 85km, Pick n’ Pay OFM classic 106km, AngloGold Ashanti 100km and the 94.7 km cycle challenge just to name a few in between there were short races where i would do one Saturday and one Sunday.

My lifestyle not changed and I plan on improving in 2009 , one additional benefit this year has been the reduction of my hypertension medication by my cardiologist who congratulated me in may on a routine checkup on my achievement , people who I have not seen in weeks don’t even recognise me.

All of this (cycling) I would have not achieved without the right guidance from various people not that I want to omit individuals, I would just like to take this time to mention a couple , firstly Eleanor with my membership and licensing , secondly Daniel pertaining to the cycle and cycle setup , fritz for seeding guidance and tips , Ali yourself for your continuous correspondence ,etc and last but not least Andrew on his compilation of the powerade training guide 2008 , every time I go out on the road for training I look through the training guide and pick up one of the many tips and I go an apply that with the tips already learnt from the guide.

The polar watch was purchased beginning of May and to date after the 94.7 cycle challenge I have burnt an additional 101000 calories bringing the total number to +- 149000. Lots of sweat, guts and commitment. The hospitality tent at the 94.7 was very welcome in that normally you would ride a race and depart for home, sitting there you get to talk to and meet other club members.

The healthy lifestyle continues and to date I am floating around the region of 86 – 86.5kg and believe you me the 44kg I have shed is 44kg I don’t want back in my lifetime, i am committed to improving during 2009 as preparation now starts for important races coming up, being the hyper to hyper and Argus for which I have already entered.

I had been using Biogen Carbogen, Biogen Cramp Prevent and Biogen Phenadrine Extra. I haven’t stopped with my diet and have made a couple of adjustments here and there which I feel will not affect my ability or willpower to strive to meet my goals. To date I have reaped the benefits and those are there to stay.

Once again to you and Andrew thank you as well as all the personnel at Cycle Lab it is greatly appreciated.

MARTIN