Hello. My name is Steve Smith (honest). I´m 54 and am 6ft 1in tall. After taking early retirement and moving to Spain in February 2008, I´ve been going to Mike and Jan´s Dumbbell Dynamics since August 2008.
I´m nothing special. I did the same as most other Brits moving here. I stepped off the plane, relaxed, sat in the sunshine and looked forward to the evening meals out with a drink or two - in holiday mode and why not.
Back in the UK I worked for a large pharmeceutical company which was highly stressful - believe me I was pleased to be in holiday mode. Until one day I stepped on the scales and was nearly blown away by the speed of the pointer whizzing up the weight. Looking down I hit 16st 10lbs, not far off the 20 stone mark. Not only that but my waiste was up to 42/44in - not a pretty sight! So was I heading towards being a watcher of sport down the pub type, or did I need to get off my backside and be a doer, not a watcher!!
I chose the latter and ended up with a friend telling me about the Dumbbell Dynamics classes. I now go twice a week and sometimes 3 times. I have to say it´s the best decision I´ve made since coming to Spain.
In the classes Mike starts you off on very low weights and you build up when you are ready. I started with 2kg weights and am now using 5kg and thinking of 6kgs. I´m impressed with Mike and Jan´s attitude - yes, they make you work hard but it´s fun as well. And Mike and Jan are always there with further advice on nutrition, health issues and any problems you have in doing the exercises.
Best of all the results are there to see. It has taken time to turn my body around as there was a lot of fat to get rid of. But now I´m feeling the benefit as I´m 14st 2lb and my waiste is back to 36in, which was the size when I was in my thirties.
Here are some figures:
2008 2009
Weight 16st 10lb 14st.2lb
Fat% 31.6% 24.2%
( Health range for men 25% or less)
Visceral Fat% 15% 11%
( This is the dangerous internal fat and should be 12% or less)
Metabolic Rate Off the scale! 50 years old
( I have turned the clock back 5 years and looking forward to feeling even younger)
I´m very happy with my success so far and I´m looking forward to even more improvements. But don´t judge yourself on me - I was well overweight to start with. You might feel the benefit sooner than me or it might take a little longer. You may never increase the weights you use but trust me, you´ll feel fitter, stronger, younger and happier. So....are you a watcher or a doer.....It´s up to you!