A quick interview with Justin Horn, 4th Place Men’s Transformation in the New Year 2016 Challenge!
Q: Give us a short history of your journey to health and fitness before the challenge.
I have always been challenged by my weight and fluctuated in body image from as far back as I can imagine.
Probably as a result of poor eating habits and no healthy lifestyle influence while growing up. I felt that I trained fairly regulary at gym, but only weights and didn’t notice too much difference.
I consulted a Nutritionist at the end of 2012 to assist with an eating plan and would re-visit her montly to measure results and adjust the plan slightly.
I managed to lose 10 kg’s over about 4 months.
Once I stopped going to her to track and measure my progres, I ended up gaining weight again to alomost the ssame mark as I was before.
Q: What prompted you to join the Ultimate You Transformation Challenge?
A friend prompted me to join the challenge and we were to be buddies to assist each other in training and keep each other motivated and accountable.
The before phote was a shocker and I surprised myself as to how I really looked. The motivation was there to make a change and the daily emails certinly helped me too. With the added element of the measurements, pics and tracking, I really felt the weight loss goal was reduced to bite size cuncks which were more easily sustained and managable.
Q: Give us a quick overview of the nutrition and eating plan that you followed during the challenge.
I made use of a variation of the eating plan from 2012, which basically controlled portion size and calories and cut out alcohol to a large degree.
Breakfasts were a combination of low GI cereal choices.
I would focus on eating lean meat and a carb veg for 3 meals during the day. Whilst a reduced caloric meal of greener veg with lean meat for dinner.
Q: Give us a quick overview of the training and exercise plan that you followed during the challenge.
Training was similar to my previous routine of weight varieties, focusing on muscle groups. But I also added the dimension of mountain biking as I had recently begun to enjoy this. I was challenged to participate tin the Cape Town Cycle tour which also assisted in the continuity of maintaining the cycling which was great. I completed the tour in a time that
I was challenged to participate tin the Cape Town Cycle tour which also assisted in the continuity of maintaining the cycling which was great. I completed the tour in a time that surprised myself and other more discerning cyclists for a newbie.
Have also now entered a ½ marathon to continue the path of personal achievements healthier lifestyle.
Q: Did you use any supplements or do anything else worth mentioning to help you get results?
I used only a Whey protein after completing weight training, but no other supplements.
Q: If you could give 3 pieces of advice to future challengers, what would they be?
- Do not complete this challenge as a flash in the pan purely outcome-based challenge, but rather as a lifestyle change. Things do need to be consciously different in your lifestyle for this to be sustained.
- Your eating plan and discipline here is paramount but doesn’t have to be boring and mundane.
- Associate yourself with like-minded people for support and motivation in your new healthier lifestyle – once again this will ensure the sustainability of your results into a lifestyle rather than outcome-based only.
