DARREN BOYD

Darren felt depressed and frustrated until he decided to fight to get his life back

​

My life changing journey and transformation started at the Fit Body Farm back on the 5th of February 2018.

Before I signed up I went from year to year trying to convince myself that I would be in better shape by next summer, and that I would change my lifestyle, guess what, it didn’t happen. My weight and wellbeing spiralled out of control to a point where I was overweight at 16st 5lb, my diet wasn’t the best, alcohol consumption was excessive, and I became more and more depressed and frustrated. This was not only affecting me, but also putting strain on my relationship with my partner and family.

Something had to change.

I believe you really need to hit rock bottom and want something so bad for it to truly make you fight for it.
I did, believe me. I’ve never pushed myself so hard. I’ve given up so much time to concentrate on fixing myself, sometimes I feel selfish, but I no it’s for a good cause.
Since joining FBF I have found real confidence and strength in myself I didn’t think I had. As the weeks/months go by I’m starting to see glimpses of the body Ive wanted for so long. My fitness has improved massively thanks to the team at the farm and I’m now taking part in as many OCR events as possible, I love them. I’ve never been a strong runner but I am improving and surprising myself with every race.
More importantly my mental well-being has improved dramatically, I am so much more happier with myself and others are also noticing.
My way of thinking about food, exercise, supplements etc has completely changed, it doesn’t feel like a chore and comes naturally now.

I am now 35 years old and in the best shape of my life, having lost over 3 stones (currently weighing in at 13st 1lb)
I don’t believe this would have been possible without the help of Gavin, Michael and Lynda and all other members of FBF and FBC.
I can’t wait to see more progress in 2019.

Lesley felt fat, ugly and spent her days hiding under jumpers and leggings. Now she’s dropped 3 dress sizes and has got her sparkle back!

​

My before picture was taken on the 12th August this year and the second picture on 29th November so nearly 16 weeks later!

In that time I have lost 20lbs 80cm and 3 dress sizes!!!!!

I randomly stumbled across Gavin’s ad on Facebook about the 6 week challenge when I was doing a night feed. To say I was at a low point would be an understatement. I felt fat, ugly and spent my days hiding under jumpers and leggings. That’s just how I felt about my physical appearance , my mental state was a whole other story.

A few short months on and I feel like the old me is starting to reappear.

I have loved every minute of my journey so far! I hate exercise, I don’t exercise, I’m uncoordinated, but the FBF classes are amazing!
I wish I could express how I feel but all I can say is that I’m slowly but surely gaining my sparkle back, with others starting to comment not only on the changes in my physical appearance but I seem to have a new energy about me, a more positive energy.

I’m a mummy to 2 little divas. I need to be physically and mentally strong for them and the farm has lit a fire in me.

 I’m loving life again.

Bring on 2019!

He had low self esteem and no get up and go. Now Alistair has lost 30 lbs and feels 10 years younger.

Before I started the FBF I was feeling the lowest I have ever felt about my health. I was at the heaviest weight I have ever been at (184lbs)

I had very low self esteem and absolutely no get up and go. Previously I had tried to address my deteriorating health by going to the gym and trying various healthy eating plans but I could never sustain anything.

I saw FBF advertising on facebook and thought " just give it a go" I became very relaxed about going to the classes because of the friendly atmosphere,

coaches and members alike are all very encouraging and no one judges you on how you look or how fit you are.

My 6 week challenge was brilliant, I loved every minute of it, learning about good food and doing all of the different exercise routines. I lost 20lbs and

my stamina was coming back again. this sounds a bit cliché but I felt 10yrs younger.

I have now lost 30lbs and weigh 11 stone and that is what I weighed 20 yrs ago.

I am looking forward to continuing on the journey of a healthy lifestyle and I am going to climb Ben Nevis in the summer.

CRAIG BILHAM

Craig was tired, his blood pressure was high and his clothes were getting tighter. Now he’s lost 3 stones, his energy levels are up and he’s motivated and excited to exercise.

Before joining the farm in March this year I was constantly working eating takeaways and not exercising due to the unsociable hours of the job.

After holidays last Christmas I decided something had to change, I was getting more tired, blood pressure was high and clothes were getting tighter and I was too miserable to buy more!

I previously used to go to another gym in town but had no motivation I used to last 10 minutes on machines then give up.

Since joining the Farm I got my motivation back and get excited about the variety of classes. My energy levels have increased, blood pressure in back to normal and I’m more relaxed than I’ve ever been.
Joining the Farm has not just been about the workouts my nutrition has also changed I now find myself preparing food for the week if I’m out on the road.

My new cooking skills have also resulted in the full family eating healthier and profits for the local takeaways to drop! Lol

I’ve lost 3 stone and over 15 inches since March which I’ve never achieved before and at the moment I’m not able to exercise since having an operation but the changes to eating habits have resulted in me keeping the weight off while not exercising.

The encouragement from the coaches and also other members has kept me motivated throughout the year and try new things.

​.

Stress and anxiety is relentless for Teresa. For her, FBF is a lifeline.

Lifeline is the word I use to describe the FBF. There were too many things to deal with and I felt as though I was losing the fight. My brothers suicide was a huge event in my life and one that I couldn’t fully accept as the daily struggles with my child’s mental health issues are so great and intense that it supersedes everything else. The stress / anxiety is relentless and having gone through 18 operations for my own medical condition, physically I felt awful. It’s very easy to slip into the dark hole of comfort eating and drinking and of losing contact with friends due to shutting yourself away but it’s. it so easy to get back out of that hole.

The first time I went to the farm I got lost on the way there. I arrived 20 minutes late then sat in the car park crying for the next 10 minutes. I still don’t know how I got from the car to inside. I stood with my arms wrapped around myself and a very tear stained face. I can only imagine how I must have looked to everyone mid workout. Gavin came and stood next to me and asked if I was Teresa. He gave me a few minutes to calm myself before asking me to join in. I can still remember the welcoming faces of those around nodding and saying hi. That evening was my new beginning.

I go regularly to workouts and have enjoyed an amazing change in my body shape, energy levels and confidence as well a huge shift in my attitude towards food choices. I’ve learned that nothing is to be feared whether it’s food, the dreaded burpees or moving to the next size up of kettle bell.

Long periods of absence from work are behind me now as the Fit Body Farm is teaching me how to cope and function at the same time which is something I was previously unable to do.

.

He hated his body, felt self-conscious and struggled with anxiety. FBF has been a total game changer for Craig

The last year at the Farm has been a total game changer for me. At over 16st, I hated my body, felt self-conscious and struggled with anxiety. It had to make positive changes in order to make myself feel better. I spoke with Gavin and visited the Farm. That was the hardest part. I can still remember sitting in the car park for 10 mins trying to convince myself to go in. I was self-conscious and worried I wouldn’t be able to do any of the exercises and that I wouldn’t fit in.

What’s amazing about the Farm is the people. I was instantly made to feel welcome and that helped massively. In the first couple of months I could feel my fitness improve dramatically. After a couple months more I decided to join the Fit Body Club to try and work on strength and tone to add to the work done in the Farm.
If someone had told me a couple of months ago I would be deadlifting over 1.5 times my body weight or would have run a 5k in under 30mins, I would have said they were off their head. I can’t thank the coaches & members enough for the ongoing help, support and advice.

Fast forward 10 months and I’m now 14st, I’m fitter, healthier, stronger and toned. I cook my own meals and look after my nutrition. I can wear t-shirts etc without feeling embarrassed. It’s hard work at times, and it’s always a learning curve, but the results always make it easier. Most importantly, I am a totally different person now, happier, fitter, and more confident in myself. All thanks to a year at the Farm. 

SHIRLY CURRIE

(Left to right December 2018 , May 2018 ,January 2018
I've lost 22 lbs but more importantly lost 23.27 inch and I feel more toned and stronger)

She found it really tough at the beginning but with some determination Shirly now feels fab at 50! 

I decided to join FBF in January to help boost my fitness and improve overall well-being . I found it really tough at the beginning to get up early but after a few weeks felt better going to work and it improved my mood

This year I turned 50 and challenged myself to run a half marathon in March so FBF and Killie Striders helped me achieve this and more. I have ran PB in 5k,10k and completed 3 half marathons and feel much better in myself and wearing clothes I wouldn’t have dreamed wearing before.

However it is not all about running PB it is about going out and doing exercise , enjoying it and being an example to my kids to show them what you can do with determination

FBF members are a great group of people and without their support, laughter and enthusiasm of the coaches I wouldn’t be as fit and healthy both physically and mentally as I am today. Being 50 is fab!

.

ROSS MACFADYEN

Ross decided to ditch the excuses and is transforming his life and confidence for the better at FBF.

I came along to FBF at the end of August having experienced a few years of challenging health (brain tumour) and having gone through the process of adopting three children under the age of 4 ........and signed up for the six week challenge. My life has now GENUINELY been transformed for the better.

Exercise - let alone exercise with any level of regularity - was an almost unknown to me. There was always an excuse - travelling for work every week up and down to London in the last year alone had become a reason NOT to do anything.

Getting more and more worried about it and WANTING to make changes I knew I had to do something.

Since joining FBF I have shifted the best part of a stone in weight and reduced in size by over 55cm but for me it’s more about what I’ve gain through being part of FBF.

It’s very easily under-estimated how important the environment of anywhere like a gym can be to someone who has never set foot inside one - or for someone like me who HAS and knows what it’s like to be in amongst all the “cool kids” posturing whilst draped over the latest piece of cardio equipment.....none of them so much as breaking out in hot flush never mind a sweat!!

The welcome and camaraderie you get at FBF is in itself encouraging and drives you on. Every workout - regardless of how gruelling - is made all the more manageable by the other people who are in the room with you or giving you support on the FB page.

I don’t really “do”regret because life’s too short but I do wish I’d done this years ago.

For someone who has always had to exude confidence because of my work (more previously than now) what you see isn’t always what lies beneath. Some of the shyest and least confident people in the world are those who are right at the forefront of our lives whether that be in the media, showbiz, politics and business. What the public often don’t know is that some of these “confident” people are dying inside with nerves, low self esteem and an overwhelming feeling of not being either attractive or actually any good at their job.......all because of how they FEEL about how they LOOK.

So whilst my story isn’t of transforming into some Adonis (that’s next years award) I’m very pleased with how my LIFE has been transformed and as a result other transformations will follow because if nothing changes then NOTHING changes.

Thanks FBF, coaches and fellow fighters.

.