Guy Benson was eating healthy, but the frequency of his meals was pushing the limit. Factor in a diet heavy in starchy carbs, calorie-dense fruits and an abundance of sauces, and—no wonder—he was slapping on kilos at a steady pace. The goal: scale back his portions, train hard and lose weight in record time.
His Motivation to Lose Weight
Last year, Benson ran the Knysnan Half Marathon with a few of his mates. Before tackling the race, he stepped on the scale and watched as the needle cracked a century. He weighed 108kg, the heaviest he’d ever been. He said his daily gorging was the result of stress, and that extra weight led to a “lethargic” race (by his standards).
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He finished the half marathon in 2 hours and 11 minutes, placing 1 455th out of 4 200 entrants. To make matters worse, many of his friends were setting new PRs, cinching spots in the upper echelons of the race’s rankings. “I was way behind my mates and, more importantly, way behind where I knew I could be,” says Benson. Irritated and upset, he committed to his redemption arc.
How He Hacked His Meals
Before even looking at his workout plan, he knew his diet needed a massive overhaul. Gone was the free-for-all approach to healthy fare and in its stead he subbed in a keto-intermittent fasting combo with a focus on high-quality animal protein and healthy fats (think: olive oil, avos, etc.). Fasting was crucial because his old ways were spiking his insulin levels, and certain studies have shown that scheduling meal-free hours is a surefire way to rein in this hormone.
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To supplement his new food itinerary, he stuck to a simple exercise routine, hitting the gym two or three times every week. “I focused on strength but tried to mix in a bit of trail running and, occasionally, yoga or stretching in the sauna,” he adds.
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The Results: 21kg Down!
After six months, he managed to drop 21kg. Getting lighter has helped him feel more confident, but almost every aspect of his life has experienced a lift. “I sleep better, I work better and I feel a million times better than back when I ran that race,” he says. “I reckon if I did the Knysna Half Marathon again, I could easily shave off 30 minutes from my time. I’m 44 and probably in better shape than I was 20 years ago.”
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Any words of advice for other guys in the same position? “Keep at it—consistency is key,” says Benson. “Try and experiment with certain diets to see what works for you.”
