Darren

108lbs lost in 80 sessions / 32 weeks

In June 2013 I was talking to my friend about the weight he had lost and he recommended me to join Commando Fitness UK. It took me a while to think about and I thought I would give the website a look and see what it was all about. After reading the testimonies and seeing some of the before and after pictures (mainly Sarah Swatton's) I thought I've got to give this a go. I signed up and Tony said he would come with me for the first month.

July 2013 was to be the start of what has now become a wonderful journey. 

The Sunday before the first session I weighed at nearly 27stone 9lbs (387lbs) 

The first session I was scared stiff that I would not be able to do anything and make myself look
stupid, also being that size I was waiting for the laughter and sniggering that comes with being that big. That has never happened in all the time I have been with CFUK. 

The first session Chris explained what exercises we had to do on the circuit that evening and I thought omg I'm not going to be able to cope with this, but every exercise has different levels and Chris has always said as long as you give 100% that is all he ever asks. So on I went, I had not done any exercise for years after slipping a disc in my back so I struggled with the first session, the sprints were hard and I could not complete every run, instead of 7 I did 5, then when others did 9 I did 7.

But I completed the first session and walked away sweating, breathing hard and shaking. I sat in the car at the end and thought what have I signed up for. The next day my whole body ached, I could hardly walk. 

Next session Chris asked if anyone ached 'yeah just me' but he assured me after warming up the aches and pains would ease. He was spot on. I was in pain for the first four days of the first week then I felt fine. The training days were coming round so quick I used to think oh god not training again tonight. Anyway I got through the whole month and never missed a session. 

During this first month I met some amazing people at CFUK, who helped and encouraged me massively. People would come and say well done and used to cheer me on when running, it was very inspiring that these people who I hardly knew could be so nice. I was told that I was amazingly determined to do everything I was asked to do and had a never give up attitude. Everyone made the whole experience truly amazing and then we came to weigh in...

That first month I lost 29lbs!! 

So onto the second month and I had to go this one alone, I was worried until I arrived at the park and people started talking to me straight away so my fears were again eased.

My fitness levels from the first month to the second month had much improved, I could now do all runs, albeit still slower but I could finish them, which again inspired me to push harder. I was now at the point where I looked forward to the sessions and could not wait for training days, I missed 5 sessions that month due to a back injury but still managed to lose 11lbs. 

Now 8 months later I have lost 108lbs and inches off my waist. When I started I had a size 54 waist, my jeans are now a size 40. 

I have also completed the 5k Bexhill Santa dash, the 5mile Xmas pudding dash, and the Chichester 10k. If someone had said to me last year that by February I could achieve this I would have laughed. 
Over the last few weeks I have completed a few 8+ mile runs in preparation for the Hastings half marathon, which I will run on March 23rd and at first I was just hoping to finish but now I am hoping to cross the line in 3 hrs. I am also hoping to run many more races this year. 

Anyone who is thinking of getting fit or losing weight then this is the place for you! I cannot believe how much this has changed my life. I have met some awesome people at CFUK and everyone I train with at 6pm, or have trained with in the past, are equally as awesome and have really made this last 8 months so special. Also the social events brings all classes together and you meet all of the CFUK family and have huge laughs together. 

Now I train with my wife Netty, who has just joined and is smashing the circuits and has made me push myself even harder to stay ahead of her. Netty has been wonderful during my training but has had to put up with me talking commando for months but it's so addictive I could not help it, sorry love. 

Lastly to our trainer, Chris Haines you are so great at your job and you really do inspire and push every-one of us to achieve great goals, you call me a legend for everything I have achieved (oh your probably right) but you're the legend in my eyes. Everything you have done for me in the last 8 months I cannot thank you enough.