My Journey:
A picture here from left-to-right that takes me from my early twenties past my early thirties and into my early forties. Some people tell me I look no different or even better than I did in my twenties? Whatever their (or your) opinion one thing is for certain I feel better and I am healthier today then I was back then.
My Twenties:
Apparently in my twenties is the optimum time to burn fat with metabolism at its highest and levels of the hormone testosterone at its peak. But it is also a time where there is increased pressure to maintain these often impossible images of cover model physiques. According to NICE (National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence) guidelines in the UK approximately 11% of men suffer from eating disorders. Other studies suggest out of the 1.6 million adults in the UK suffering with eating disorders the proportion of men is around 25%. The main triggers are associated with concerns about body image and over-exercising and is something that as guys we rarely talk about.
I did not have any issues with food in terms of eating disorders but I do recall the only time I thought of exercise in my twenties was in relation to aesthetics and wanting to look better on the beach in summer. Being honest with myself at the time a focus on health certainly wasn't a primary or even a secondary factor.
I was always a slim teenager and young adult, and could get away with eating almost anything in my twenties with no obvious outward effects. I put this down to "good genes" but to be honest I probably just wasn't eating enough. I looked "ok" on the outside but ws very weak. I suffered from chronic low back pain, had lots of soft tissue injuries, tearing ligaments and spraining ankles whenever I did venture out to play sport. Most of the times I resorted to using compression bandages and joint supports just to walk. I was frankly a physical mess.
My Thirties:
In my early thirties as I started to put on excess weight. I looked at various approaches to getting in shape. I went to the gym more and tried to be more sensible with my approach to nutrition as well as exercise. I stopped drinking alcohol, but the spare tyre still developed. I put this down to getting older. I remember reading back then that in my thirties research dictates that I should start to lose muscle mass as my metabolism slows. So I wanted to do something about this. I hit the weights, did the latest magazine workout, went to more expensive gyms, played with more extravagent equipment and focussed a bit more on my health then I did in my twenties. But I still was not happy with my progress. I was still weak, didn't enjoy exercise and found it very punishing without any immediate reward.
The reality is there were other issues that I was unaware of holding me back. Issues related to my work environment. My career had taken off as a computer programmer and the money was great. However my cortisol hormone levels were elevated due to lack of sleep (with shift work), long working hours and a stressful and pressurised investment banking work culture.
In my mid-thirties I became more conscious of looking for healther alternatives to mitigate against this lifestyle. But I was constantly 'swimming against the tide'. The paunch around the middle expanded. My diet should have helped but it didn't! I had a diet very high in so-called healthy wholegrain carbs, with very low fat and moderate levels of protein. This was the conventional recommendation for a healthy and balanced diet. I tried calorie counting, then weighing and measuring food, with differing ratios of macronutrients but all to no avail.
I was not so aware of insulin's role in fat storage, or cortisol's role in fat storage around the middle. But my body paid attention as a few more inches were added to the waistline. But with all the money I was making, I could afford a well-cut suit to disguise it. Couldn't I?
Maybe More Cardio Will Work?
I increased my endurance cardio work to "burn more calories" but this didn't help. I worked out harder and increased training volume. This also failed to make any in-roads. I was only adding to the stressors on the body, not reducing it. I was getting skinnier, but unfortunately I was developing an unhealthy amount of internal visceral (intra-abdominal) body fat. This fat surrounds the internal organs - thus not so easily visible to the naked eye but is very dangerous to health. I was a skinny fat individual but didn't know it. At this point and after my mother told me in only the way a mother can: "Darryl you are getting fat!" - I decided to do something about it. At this stage I was around 26% body fat - but still looked slim - (nowadays I hover around the 10% mark).
Time For Change
From that point on I radically changed my lifestyle, what I ate, the training that I did. I got further education to become a personal trainer and coach, studied nutrition and decided to live the life that nature intended in relation to movement and real-food (from a paleo perspective). I realised that I wanted to be functional and have practical aspects to training. Most importantly I wanted to enjoy movement and reap the benefits of improved health.
My Forties:
In my forties and the number one priority is a focus on my health - if I look better it is a side effect. It is not the main motivation. Most importantly I am satisifed to have found a lifestyle that is manageable and maintainable and will mitigate against the risks of modern-living. I feel as if I am getting "younger" not older. Like "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". It sounds clichéd but it is true. Maybe it is because I am actually now closer to the potential I should have reached in my twenties? Maybe it is an increased awareness of my abilities now? Whatever the reason is - I am grateful. Grateful that I am at this stage in life to appreciate my improved health and vitality.
So what's the present status of my health and progress?
- I am no longer weak and now as strong as my dad used to be when I was growing up (no mean feat!);
- I am stronger, healthier, fitter and feel better than in my twenties or thirties - pretty much an all-rounder in all that I do;
- I care more about what I can do in terms of function then how I look;
- I no longer suffer from low back pain and associated issues;
- I have a resting heart rate of 38 bpm;
- My annual blood work tests as key bio-markers of health (cholesterol, lipid profile, liver, kidney function, etc) are better than ever before;
- I have athletic levels of lean-body mass and have no desire to look like a bodybuilder;
- I eat food that is more nutrient dense, I don't calorie count - and I don't fear significant amounts of healthy fat;
- I no longer expect to get results from a cocktail of supplements such as creatine and whey protein shakes;
- I enjoy mindful movement and play;
- I relish short bursts of very intense and vigorous activity rather than slaving away for hours "working-out";
- I realise there is not only one way to health and vitality - but this is the current way for me;
- I am grateful to have the opportunity to share my experiences and help to inspire individuals who are on a similar path;
- I believe lifestyle choices affects gene expression far more than inheritance;
- and for those who want to know what happened to the spare tyre? I can now wear the same size trousers I wore in my twenties.
-Darryl Edwards