Men's Health Challenge: Boozing and bacon - it's hard maintaining discipline with temptation all around

The exercise regime seemed like a laugh at the start - then reality kicked in. Pictured is Winston Aldworth with trainer Lee-Anne. Photo / Dean Purcell

Four men, one aim: to shed kilos and get fit by Christmas.

The Herald is working with fitness guru Lee-Anne Wann on an initiative to get Kiwi men off the couch and get active. The campaign - Men's Health: Small change, big gain - aims to get the four to lose weight in six weeks. This week, the guys have been asked to consider reducing toxins and chemicals in their routine. They make their progress report in the third of six weekly diaries today.

Winston Aldworth (above)
Herald travel editor
Last week brought a couple of notable firsts in my shift from flab to fit. A gym session with Lee-Anne on Wednesday ended with me utterly wrecked, a spent force huffing through interval sprints on the rowing machine. That's a good thing. Up until then, the exercise side of this project had all been within my comfort zone: better than sitting on the sofa, it was all good progress, but not electrifying.

After Wednesday's session and the drill-instructor pep talk from Lee-Anne (the words "harden" and "up" were mentioned, along with something rhyming with "duck"), I felt I was on the right course.

Then came Thursday, and the other notable first. The day after the great training session that supposedly launched me on the right path, I didn't exercise at all. It's the first time I've deviated significantly from Lee-Anne's programme. (And I know she'll make me pay for it when we next catch up.)

It was just a plain-old monster day at my desk with stress and deadlines. All followed by a couple of hours working at home. As the great philosopher Steve Hansen once said: "Just flush the dunny and move on."

I added more exercise in the following days and stuck to the eating plan. Overall, I know I'm heading in the right direction. Going into the third week, I've dropped a shade under 5kg. But next week, work takes me to New York. This is where my resolve really gets tested ...

Chris Reed
Herald deputy editor

How I miss bread. And beer. And bacon. Well, not bacon. I ate loads the other day because, incredibly, it's on the list of "base foods" I can eat my fill of. Well, the list said nitrate-free bacon on occasion. My pig-out probably made a mockery of those riders.

I've been missing the good stuff, you see. In week two I went to two work lunches and ate diligently. Then, I watched my daughter enjoy a chocolate ice cream perhaps more than anyone else has enjoyed an ice cream ever before. So the bacon was a much-needed treat.

Lee-Anne warned this week would be tough. She stepped up the exercise and told me to eat only things on the base food list (mostly protein and veges). The exercise began with a great session with boxing fitness guru Gus Lam but I've got to do a bike ride today to complete my requirements. I think I've done well with the food, bacon binge notwithstanding. The guilt I feel about that indicates how much better I'm feeling, and how determined I am to keep it up.

Nigel Morrison
SkyCity chief executive

Damn! I was doing so well. Then Partridge's 150th anniversary celebration on Thursday evening and too many glasses of champagne!

Lee-Anne was right, "flying's not my problem" ... any more. I only drink water and bring my own bag of nuts (well, at least on the last three-hour flight!). No more juices, sourdough bread, saucy main courses, icecream or coffee. And the big surprise - it's easy to say "NO". No cravings and no regrets. I couldn't have done that three weeks ago! I have totally changed my diet, starting with breakfast; mostly eggs, spinach and avocado, plus the zinc and multi tabs and much more water.

And the long black with cream is surprisingly good! I can't believe how even my energy levels are throughout the day, and the great thing is that it continues into the evening.

My focus (rather Lee-Anne's) has been diet and I can't believe the benefits. And as it turns out, it's cheaper to buy "healthy" at the supermarket than not! Unbelievable! The bike HITS at the gym are certainly tough; 8 secs max and 20 secs recovery on the bike for 3 minutes, then break, then do it again. Did this three times this week and three good brisk 30-minute walks plus a couple of longer ones. Looking forward to the New Year and the new suits.

Jason Winstanley
The Hits radio content director

I got in big trouble. Too much boozing and eating the wrong food last week - and I paid the price with a weight increase. I was really good for 4 days and then really bad for 3.

I would be okay but the scales disagreed. It was a wake-up call that it's time to really set my mind to this.

It's toughest at the weekends and especially Friday night when I'm used to having a few after-work drinks, and usually dinner at a restaurant or takeaways at home.

It is all about balance, and ensuring the choices I make are good ones when it comes to eating and drinking. I also know it's time to step up the exercise. Lee-Anne put me on this climbing machine for 5 minutes.

It was horrific. While the speed wasn't too bad, after 5 minutes my arms and legs were aching. I need to aim for that kind of intensity every day.

I've also set an alarm to make sure I eat at the right times and I'm drinking enough water. I know I need to follow my programme 100% this week or I'll be even more embarrassed.

Men's Health Challenge: Lee-Anne's take

Lee-Anne training with SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison. Photo / Dean Purcell

Small things really do make for great changes and the guys are seeing this with increased energy levels. This week I have asked them to consider reducing toxins and chemicals in their routine and given them an ecostore health pack to trial. Toxins in personal hygiene products can increase stress on the body making people feel tired and struggle to lose body fat which is not something we consider when on a health and fat loss programme.

Jason - His only word during training this week, 'Horrific!'
He did say this more than once but always with a smile through sweat pouring down his face during his training session. In my defence he did miss a session post-alcohol that was on his plan so we made up for that. We have agreed to go for a toxin clean-out this week and Jason is off the alcohol until next week. This is not something that has happened for a while for him so it's great to give the body a break and enjoy a weekend on the water.

Chris - A surprise train taken in his stride
Again super impressed with Chris as he has embraced the programme and the results are showing. Showing up for a train he was popped into boxing gloves and taken through his paces with boxing coach Gus Lam and to his credit did a remarkable job and came out at the end wanting more. Trying new things out of your comfort zone can be a great way to find different exercise options that you enjoy and keep you focused.

Nigel - Wow! What a change already
The difference in how Nigel looks this week is amazing and his energy is great. Travelling did not even faze him this week and he boarded the plane with water and a healthy snack without even a glance at the menu. Exercise is on the up and up with extra sessions added in on his own and a thought to getting back out on his road bike again - super excited to see the energy coming back.

Winston - Will he survive New York?
Great week for Winston and his work ethic in the gym is superb. Even though people have gyms at work or nearby it can often be a challenge to get there with work priorities but Winston is committed. Keeping his sessions short and intense are working well with his schedule. Leaving for over a week in New York might be a challenge - he has a survival plan and we have tightened up his plan this week to help counteract the effects on next week - it's all about balance not perfection.

lee-annewann.com
nzmenshealth.org.nz

How our men have fared: Follow their fitness diaries here.