A lack of exercise and seriously terrible eating habits were putting Eugene Markram, 42, on a path to destruction. “I started having problems with high blood pressure,” he admits. “Also, the person I saw in the mirror was a far cry from the one I wanted to be.” And don’t underestimate that massive smackdown for your confidence; one study found that low self-esteem can lead to weight gain with just a “1 point” decrease in self-esteem resulting in an excess BMI of approximately 1.4 points. It’s a vicious cycle that Markram, a project manager from Bloem, was more than eager to break. The goal: habit-changing, zero-BS weight loss.
A Weight Loss Journey Built on Habits, Not Hacks.
Spoiler alert: this was a massive 180. Markram didn’t just have to retool his meal plan, but he had to learn to embrace fitness – something that had been a struggle up until now. His first game-changing move came in the form of enlisting a PT. He worked with coach Michael Vosloo, an experienced personal trainer who introduced him to the benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sprinkled liberally with functional exercises. Many studies have shown that HIIT can be one of the most effective workout methods for reducing weight and body fat percentage.
READ MORE: How This Reader Lost 36kg Without Extreme Diets—And Built Serious Muscle
This new way of life wasn’t without its sacrifices. “My social life took a bit of a back seat,” says Markram, especially when he decided to cut out alcohol. “Going to bed at 8pm and waking up at 4am every morning of your life felt like a massive mountain to climb at the beginning, but today I can’t see living my life any other way,” he adds.
At the dinner table, he relied on premade feasts. “I had no idea where to start with prepping my own food,” he admits. “But this allowed me to learn what to eat and what works best for my body.” The lesson: turning to the pros can give you a leg up when you’re starting on ground zero.
The Results
READ MORE: Burn Fat & Build Muscle: How This Reader Supercharged His Mindset and Lost 27kg
After just three years, Markram had managed to shed 31kg. It’s not only had a fundamental impact on his health (reversing the negative effects of a destructive lifestyle in just a few years) but has also given him the confidence to tackle almost anything life throws his way. He’s also learnt that if you want something badly enough and you’re willing to step up and take accountability, your goals are always within arm’s reach. “It’s definitely not easy, but I’ve learned that nothing that’s worth anything is ever easy,” he says.
