Fitness Conversion in St Foy

Martyn Blackman - Snowology skier

I am 36 years old, 5’10” and weighed in at 18st 2lb (116kg) at the time of booking our ski trip in January 2006, needless to say over weight and unfit.

My preparation for my first time skiing this year was left far to late………a few 3hr sessions at the Snowdome in Tamworth! Good practice but nothing like being on a mountain.

After two days skiing, my thighs were burning from the pain & I decided that I didn’t want to continue the lessons I’d booked through fear of holding back the others. By Wednesday I had to take a day off, much to my disappointment.

Wednesday arrived and as I walked around the resort, watching the others coming down the slopes and listening to their exploits from the morning session at lunch, I decided that tomorrow would be different.

Mike took two friends and myself out on the Thursday for a bit of a filming session. I started to feel a little more comfortable and even the muscles seemed to be recovering nicely. I skied until just after lunch and decided to save some energy for the next couple of days. Mike and I had discussed my preparations for my trip while on the chair lift. He made some suggestions for next year. 20min nightly walks etc. a couple of months before we left.

The next day I had an altercation with a snowboarder on the chair lift resulting in a back injury. I bravely skied on for a couple of hours but my movement was getting more and more restricted by the pain. Everyone was very sympathetic. I had to retire at lunch after Mike had kindly bought me a Hot Chocolate half way up the mountain. I missed my last days skiing having to stay in the chalet holding a warm pack on my back.

Upon arriving home after really enjoying my week away I started to get a little depressed at my level of fitness leading to a bit of comfort eating and me putting on more weight. I was now at my heaviest ever 19st 7lb (124kg) It was really hard for someone who used to be an avid sportsman. If it wasn’t for a very good friend I’d have carried on who knows where I’d have ended up.

Fri 28^th April

I started compiling a diet of fish & steamed vegetables with just a slice of toast for breakfast and a banana for lunch. 5 days later I joined a local gym and started going every other day.

Fri 12^th May (2 weeks)

I’d already lost 1 stone (6kg) I decided to change the fitness program a little. I now went to the gym on Monday, Wednesday & Fridays after work to leave the weekends free for my clay pigeon shooting.

Fri 23^rd June (8 weeks)

I’d lost 3st 7lb (15kg) and I decided to change the fitness program again. I dropped the Wednesday night gym for a 12-15 mile bike ride but was pushing harder down the gym on the other 2 days. Tuesdays now became my swimming night every other week.

I’d lost 4st 7lb (28kg) It’s now getting harder to shift the weight. Had to push on though. My only free night was Thursday, was football training too much, maybe.

Fri 15^th September (20 weeks)

I’m down to 14st (88kg.) I’ve lost 5st 7lb in total and I’m still working hard to get down to 12st (76kg) maybe, if Christmas doesn’t get in the way.

I obviously feel so much better and I am eagerly looking forward to our next trip to Snowology in 2007 when I hope to ski everyday!

Sat 16th December (33 weeks)

Martyn now weighs just 12 stone - we are worried that he is going to disappear completely. Hopefully he won't be wearing these trousers when he comes on holiday with us next month as we have no desire to see what's not down there.

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Note from Mike and Monica: We're so impressed with Martyn - his frustration at not being able to do what he wanted to do was tough for him last year. We look forward to spending another week with Martyn in January and hope that we can recognise him at the airport. (Unfortunately he will be bringing his scheming pals Richard and Paul with him too - it's time to get even boys)