Matthew: Hi, this Matthew from the DVCC and I’m here with Anthony Roache. I’m just going to ask you a few questions, hopefully to get an insight into how you’ve got such great results. So if you could just introduce yourself please: what’s your name, how old are you and how long have you been at the DVCC?
Anthony: I’m Anthony Roache; I’m 38 this year, 38 in June; and I’ve been here now 13 weeks this week.
Matthew: Fantastic. So can you just tell us what results is it that you’ve achieved over that time?
Anthony: I’ve been really, well, amazed by what I’ve achieved really; I’ve lost a total of 32.2 lbs of fat.
Matthew: Which is fantastic, super good from you. So what were your struggles with weight loss before the DVCC?
Anthony: I basically just went from doing some exercise to no exercise, so really and truly I was just kind of doing nothing but kind of always thinking I was comfortable in my weight and didn’t really have a problem with it.
Matthew: Ok. And had you tried to lose weight before?
Anthony: No, not consciously. I’ve never actually gone on any diets or anything like that, because I was always active, always sporty. But then, when I got kids etc., and married, it kind of stopped being as active and just got comfortable.
Matthew: Ok. So you were doing no kind of physical activity?
Anthony: No, nothing at all for about 10 years really, really proper training or anything like that, maybe a bit longer: 10 – 12 years.
Matthew: And you’ve never tried any diets or any kind of exercise regime or routines?
Anthony: No, I love my food so I just ate and drank as I wanted.
Matthew: Ok, not a problem. What does your lifestyle look like now, compared to before the DVCC?
Anthony: It’s a lot different; I’m more rigorous about what I’m eating, more regimental so to speak, paying a lot more attention to what I’m eating. Not that I was a massive snacker, but I’ve cut all that out, cut out alcohol as well, to a certain extent; I think in the last 13 weeks I’ve probably had about 3 or 4 pints, where it would be 20, 30, 40 times the amount of that, if it was normal life beforehand. But no, since joining, I feel a lot healthier, I feel not as out of breath as I was. Just silly little tasks, running round with the kids etc., it’s a lot easier.
Matthew: That’s fantastic. So how does that make you feel, those changes?
Anthony: Pleased – pleased with the fact that my clothes aren’t as tight; I’m not buying bigger sizes just for the sake of it. And yes, I just feel good about myself again, to a certain extent.
Matthew: Fantastic. So how has the DVCC helped you personally?
Anthony: It gave me a bit more drive and a bit more determination I’ve always had when I was growing up; competitiveness. Doing this training and that, it’s difficult and you get to a point where you think “Oh I’ve had enough, I’m going to give up” sort of thing. But you guys, you kind of push us that little bit, you give us that little push at the end that we need to keep going – it’s good, I enjoy it.
Matthew: Good - I’m glad you enjoy it. Do you have any specific tips with regard to nutrition or exercise that you can share with anybody listening who is trying to lose weight?
Anthony: I think it was good for me to know for me that I could still eat the kind of food that had allegedly been bad for you; like avocado – and fats, there are bad fats and good fats; eggs – eggs are a Godsend in the morning, I love scrambled egg or omelette, anything like that. All that kind of thing is good for me. And even the greens; the greens are enjoyable, it’s not all bland, you’ve just got to mix it up a bit. So on the whole, I think the diet is a good thing. I don’t see it as a diet though; people keep saying to me, “You’re on a diet, you’re on a diet”, but I just tell them it’s a way of life, it’s not a diet.
Matthew: Good from you, good work.
Anthony: It’s a lifestyle choice.
Matthew: Do you have any final words, Anthony?
Anthony: I just recommend this to anybody really; it’s all ages and all shapes and sizes. Everyone’s made to feel welcome. But you’ve got to be there to put in the hard work. At the end of the day, this place gives you the facility, but you need to push yourself and you need to want to do it really. But it’s definitely well worth doing; I recommend it – well I do recommend it to anyone I talk to really.
Matthew: Fantastic, thank you very much. Well thank you Anthony, hope you guys found this interview helpful. If you want to leave any questions, please comment below and we will get back to you. This is Matthew from the DVCC in Northampton; thank you very much.
