Chris Mills (imod.co.za) – My story

Name: Chris Mills (AKA imod.co.za), Director of @imoddigital, Owner of @imodcoza, (Cape Town) 

Competitor: Sleekgeek 6-week Beach Body Challenge (25 October – 5 December 2011)

About 6 weeks ago, 15 geeks embarked on a challenge known as the Sleek Geek 6 Week Beach Body Challenge created by Elan Lohmann. The idea was simple, 15 geeks, R500 each and 6 weeks to transform our somewhat overweight bodies into something that could be taken to the beach, the person with the biggest change would win the pot. And off the went!

The 6 weeks went by, everyone worked hard, motivated each other and committed to turning things around. The winners were announced, congratulations went to JP who did the biggest transformation and I’m really stoked for him. I haven’t seen the results of any of the other entrants (except Paul Cartmel, who did a grand job too), but what I have got is a photograph of my progress over the 6 weeks and I’m really thrilled with the results based on the programme I put together for myself. I wasn’t going to share this photograph on my blog, but after receiving such wonderful comments from people on Facebook after posting it there I felt I would post it to motivate others. I’ve received 5 or 6 private messages from friends on Facebook asking for me to tell them what I did so they could do it too! This challenge has clearly inspired people to get fitter, be healthier and look better.

So, here’s my photograph:

So what did I do?

My aim from the beginning was to never win the challenge, the money would be awesome don’t get me wrong, but my aim was to lose weight, feel healthier and most importantly create a routine that didn’t impact on my life that much and that I could maintain after the challenge, because what’s the point of 6 weeks dedication to then slip back, especially with Christmas looming!

Food:

* I didn’t used to eat breakfast, but one of my good friends who’s a colleague told me I needed to eat consistently, so I introduced some yoghurt or a Yoggiesip for breakfast.
* For lunch I’d have a roll or two with cheese, ham, tomato and inbetween lunch, breakfast and dinner I’d snack on small amounts of biltong and/or nuts and raisons.
* Dinner didn’t change too much, the only thing I changed was no take-aways, no desserts and I tried to not over do carbohydrates.

One thing I must mention is that I avoided all fizzy drinks and focused mainly on water, and from time to time I’d have some fruit juice with water or a coffee with minimal sugar.

Exercise:

I’m not a fan of the gym, what a mission, so I put together my own routine that I did at home. I bought 2 x5kg weights to assist me.

* I cycled every evening Mon-Fri for 30 minutes just around the neighborhood
* I did 3 sets of 20 pushups
* I did 3 sets of 10 sit ups
* 50 arm curls on each arm

That’s literally my Mon-Fri.

Alcohol: During the 6 week period, I didn’t stop drinking. During the week I probably had a glass or two of Champagne or a couple Savanna’s, and on the weekend I definitely had a couple biggish parties, which involved a lot of consumption. I think in general, alcohol was the one thing that I failed a little on in terms of reducing the quantity I intake – I work hard, I need to drop tools now and then ya know 😉

On weekends I slacked a bit, but always remained conscious so I wouldn’t over do things basically, a burger or pizza, but not a triple burger or double pizza for example, know what I mean?

Dedicate yourself for 6 weeks, take your measurements and just cut the junk food out, eat three or four times a day and get that 30-45 minutes of exercise going, you’ll be amazed what that will do in just 6 weeks.

I hope this inspires you!

Chris.

• Originally published by Chris on Dec 11, 2011 at https://www.imod.co.za/2011/12/11/sleek-geek-challenge-what-did-i-do/