Matthew: Hi, this is Matthew from the DVCC and I’m here with Kirk Pender; I’m just going to ask you a few questions, hopefully to get an insight into how you got such great results. So, if you want to just introduce yourself please, and how long you’ve been with the DVCC.
Kirk: My name is Kirk Pender, I have been with the DVCC since the end of January. I initially joined up on the 6-week Personal Training, and I’ve stayed there ever since.
Matthew: Fantastic, brilliant. What difficulties have you had - because I am sure there are literally thousands of people, such as yourself - what difficulties did you have before you joined the DVCC?
Kirk: The main thing was consistency at the gym and having the motivation to push myself for longer, increase weights, and just keeping the motivation really.
Matthew: What were your struggles with weight *loss before the DVCC, other than sticking with the routine and motivating yourself?
Kirk: Diet wise, I’d successfully *lost about 4 *stone in weight and then gradually that weight came back on, by not maintaining a healthy diet and not really having a good routine.
Matthew: So, like you said, you managed to *lose weight before; how long had you been trying to *lose weight before you joined the DVCC?
Kirk: 12 months. 12 months of going to three separate gyms in the space of 12 months, and couldn’t really commit – well didn’t feel that I could commit – to healthy eating and the gym - and just generally keeping motivated.
Matthew: Could you please tell us what results you have achieved since you have been with the DVCC?
Kirk: I have *lost 15.7lbs of fat from my total body weight and I have increased my lean weight by 7.3lbs.
Matthew: Fantastic, awesome, good work from you! So what does your lifestyle look like now, compared to before the DVCC?
Kirk: My lifestyle: my food is planned the night before; I have a selection of Tupperware that I use religiously, for my lunch, my nuts and - just the DVCC is part of my daily routine now and it takes as much of a priority as my work, which is very important to me. But actually I’ve managed to come to every session that I’ve booked, and make a point of fitting it into my day, basically.
Matthew: Perfect, awesome. So, whenever you tried *losing weight previously, has it either been through nutrition, training or a combination of the two?
Kirk: Initially it’s been diet, I’ve been with Weightwatchers and I was with Weightwatchers for a long time; I did successfully get to a goal weight; however, what I did notice was that the DVCC is not really about getting my weight off, it’s about having a healthy weight and getting my head around. Actually, I could be slightly heavier than what my previous goal weight was, but that would be a healthy weight as opposed to just physical mass.
Matthew: So how has the DVCC helped you personally?
Kirk: It’s helping me to think about what I eat every day; it’s helping me to de-stress from work, and I enjoy it.
Matthew: Perfect, awesome. So, do you have any specific tips regarding nutrition or exercise that have worked for you that you’d like to share with anybody else?
Kirk: Make it part of your routine; make it part of your daily routine. Be prepared the night before with your food - and just keep motivated.
Matthew: So you’ve enjoyed it, you’ve found it a fun experience?
Kirk: Yes, thanks to you and Greg, yes; just having that encouragement and talking about when I’ve done stupid things, like eaten too much chocolate; and just keeping motivated all the time, especially in sessions. Just pushing that little bit harder and going for a bigger weight, and having that support; that’s made the biggest difference.
Matthew: Awesome. Thank you very much, I hope you found this interview helpful; I want to thank you for your time Kirk. If anyone has any comments, please put them in the questions below and we’ll get back to you. My name is Matthew from the DVCC Northampton, thank you very much.
