Q & A: Matthew Baxter – 5th in Men’s Weight Loss

Please give us a short history of your journey to health and fitness before the challenge.

Over the past couple of years, my body weight increased and my activity level decreased. I picked up unhealthy eating habits.

What prompted you to join the Sleekgeek Transformation Challenge?

My wife came across Sleekgeek on Facebook and I joined as a support role for her. As weight loss and being healthier was something we both wanted, little did I know she knew my competitive nature all too well.

Give us a quick overview of the nutrition and eating plan that you followed during the challenge.

For the most part, we followed a calorie deficit diet, but more so. The change included eating regularly (5 times a day) whereas our old routine was just once. Cutting our intake of sugar and eating less red meat. I would also say we consumed far less pasta and rice.

Give us a quick overview of the training and exercise plan that you followed during the challenge.

The roadblocks set out in the group level made for a reasonable workout on its own and doing just 30min to an hour of these in the morning made for a decent start to the day. Cardio plays a role in getting that weight down and each day you try for going that little bit further or a little bit longer. Combined with some weight training further down the line.

If you could give 3 pieces of advice to future challengers, what would they be?

Stay the course enjoy the journey, and be part of a team. The roadblock stats pushed me harder to do more it’s amazing how easy something becomes the more you do it.

For me, the addition of the smartwatch gave me more motivation. Targeting steps, healthy sleeping habits. Monitoring calories burnt. The simplest thing of all is being more active more often.

Why should people enter the challenge?

I would say the greatest benefit of Sleekgeek is the Team. Yes, you got to do the activity, yes, it’s up to you to follow healthy habits but the support of a team, and sharing in the journey of others and sharing yours with them is key.