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"I made myself injury-proof"
NAME: ROD ANDERSON
HOME: CHELTENHAM, VICTORIA
OCCUPATION: MARKETING MANAGER
AGE: 44
HEIGHT: 193cm
THE GAIN
Although never "thin", Anderson's weight crept up on him over a 15-year period, due largely to a sedentary job and a busy family life, which left a shrinking window for sport and exercise. "I was aware that I was getting bigger but I chose to ignore it," Anderson says.
As his weight rose, sports such as basketball and golf took a greater toll on his body. "After a game of basketball I'd get tendonitis in my knees and wouldn't be able to walk for three days afterwards. Eventually it got to the point where I had to give up."
BEFORE
THE CHANGE Sick of watching his two young sons play sport while he sat on the sidelines, Anderson decided to reassess his lifestyle and embark on a "fitness journey".
"I decided I wanted to be a good role model for my sons," he says. But it was the formation of a group fitness class at work that was the real catalyst for his turnaround.
In October last year, Anderson sat down with his class trainer and established fitness and lifestyle goals. In the short term he looked to make realistic dietary changes.
"I vowed to cut back on take-away lunches and alcohol, eat more fruit and not raid the biscuit barrel at work."
His mid-range goal was to compete in a mini-triathlon. "At the beginning I struggled to run across the road, so even the thought of a two-kilometre run was daunting," he says.
AFTER
THE RESULT Anderson's slow and steady approach eventually won the race, as he shed excess bulk the same way he had put it on: gradually. "Taking things slowly really helped; my fitness increases were mirrored by weight loss, which, in turn, lessened the pain in my once aching knees," he says.
After losing 12 kilograms in the lead up to Christmas last year, Anderson competed in his first mini-triathlon in January. Spurred on by his achievement, he decided to focus on running, with the aim of completing a half-marathon.
"Much to my surprise I found that I really enjoyed the training and this has kicked along my weight loss, helping me drop below 100kg for the first time in five years," he says.
"An added bonus has been the opportunity to run with my sons."
THE ADVICE "Don't make changes in your life that you can't continue indefinitely," Anderson says. "Set yourself goals to tick off along the way and enjoy the challenge. Where possible, get the family involved in your campaign."
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