IN THE FIRST of his weekly blogs for the Observer, Mayor of Worcester Coun Jabba Riaz takes us through the first week of his weight-loss challenge.
THE ENORMITY of the task psychologically for someone with my schedule is somewhat scary to be honest.
Not having completed a diet and fitness plan successfully since my early twenties fills me with dread.
But the purpose and aim is stronger than ever before. So, I say to myself out loud with full vigour and intent bring it on!
Believing it with full heart that I can do this.
Hopefully you can share the journey I have embarked upon and offer me tips, thoughts, words of encouragement and constructive advice along the way, so that I can stay motivated and with purpose. I would love to get your feedback and comments.
I can’t thank John Clarke and Will Jordan from Fit 3 sixty (FS3) enough for all the valuable information.
Support and help they have given to me in getting me to commit. Highlighting the cause and being there when needed, not to mention my family and lovely wife.
Current weight 93.5kg body fat 26.4% BMI 28.9
Target weight: 80.0KG TO Get into the healthy range
Target date: September 22
Total to lose 12.6kg. 11 weeks. Target BMI 24.6
I’m taking a punt, that like me you have a sweet tooth are liable to binge and can’t keep to a diet plan consistently enough for the weight to come off permanently and you become complacent when you achieve some results.
Currently in my role as Mayor on average my sleep average is approximately five to six hours per day, I get invited on current averages to about three dinners and two lunches per week.
In our culture, it’s considered offensive to refuse an offer of food. And of-course the psychology and mentality changes when you see a free buffet before you, it’s easy to slip into holiday, eat as much as you can mode and mentality.
Like me also your parents would have told you not to leave any food on your plate and to finish what’s on there and here in lies the problem especially when the plate is piled high.
Not being a person who can count or wants to count calories, it’s a totally new area which must be adhered to, I can no longer afford to be heedless about the amount of curry and kebabs and chicken legs I consume. The mental discipline and focus must remain constant.
They say abs are carved in the kitchen, 80 per cent diet and 20 per cent fitness or something close to those lines, you cannot out train a bad diet, you may get fitter, but no less fat, this principle is key.
So, in the coming weeks I will provide a summary of my week and how it has gone and thank you.
Click here to find out why Worcester’s Mayor is bidding to shed the pounds.
