Nathan: Hi, I’m Nathan from the DVCC and today I’m here with Matthew. I’m just going to be asking Matthew a few questions to hopefully get an insight into how he’s got such great results, and speak about any difficulties that he might have had, as I’m sure there are literally thousands of people who will be listening to this interview who will find it very beneficial.
So Matthew, if you could please introduce yourself, and how long have you been at the DVCC?
Matthew: Hi, my name is Matthew Hargreaves; I’ve been at the DVCC for one year.
Nathan: Awesome. And in that time, Matthew, what results have you achieved?
Matthew: I have *lost 10.5lbs of fat and I have built muscle, and I feel a lot fitter and stronger.
Nathan: Awesome, awesome. So, what were your struggles with weight loss before the DVCC, if you had any?
Matthew: I didn’t use to exercise regularly or hard enough, and I think the support that I get from you guys really helps me focus day by day, week by week; I just perform more.
Nathan: Ok, so would you say that the DVCC has changed the way that you exercise and your ideas about exercise?
Matthew: Yes; I think the massive thing for me about the DVCC is the exercise, personally; because all the trainers I have ever worked with here are very knowledgeable, they’re very good coaches, they understand human beings – and they know how to get the best performance out of you, so you feel – from literally half an hour a day – you feel a million times better. And for me it’s a fantastic way of exercising.
Nathan: Awesome. Had you ever tried to lose weight before, and how did it go if you did?
Matthew: I’ve never been really good at consciously sticking myself on a diet or anything like that. There have obviously been times when I’ve tried to be a little bit healthier, but for me it’s definitely exercise. It’s kicked me off, and it was only really since becoming a lot fitter that I thought, well, lose the fat.
Nathan: Ok, awesome. And have you ever *lost weight using nutrition and exercise, or has it always been one or the other?
Matthew: Struggled with both.
Nathan: So you haven’t really done any diets before in the past, or have you just tried to cut certain foods out?
Matthew: No, I’ve just tried to eat healthily – yes, that’s it. And I do think it’s a question of you’ve got to do both.
Nathan: Yes, it’s very important to get both parts down.
What does your lifestyle look like now compared to before the DVCC?
Matthew: I drink a lot less alcohol; that’s just personal choice. I just find it doesn’t really benefit my life that much. The occasional social event, I have a few glasses of wine. But in general, I don’t drink a lot of alcohol any more, I don’t like it.
I really don’t desire carbohydrates anything like what I used to; my body’s very happy with a much more protein and high vegetable content; I’m just a lot happier like that. And I definitely feel like my whole digestive system is much happier.
Nathan: Awesome – less bloated and stuff?
Matthew: Definitely less bloated – all sorts of nice things.
Nathan: Good, good. How has the DVCC helped you playing cricket, because I know you play cricket quite often – how has the exercise and nutrition you’ve been doing here helped?
Matthew: I just don’t think I would be playing cricket, wouldn’t be able to, physically; and my target for this Christmas is to go skiing, which is a tough one because I’m not technically a proficient skier at all. And I’m a big bloke; but I know, having something that you really want to do, go skiing with the kids, it’s nice to have a process to get there that’s realistic.
Nathan: Yes. Do you have any specific tips, with nutrition or exercise, that you could share with anyone listening who is trying to lose weight at the moment?
Matthew: Eat a lot of things that are healthy; lots of green vegetables, lots of vegetables, lots and lots of vegetables. Chicken is always your friend; gives you that feeling of being satisfied and it’s a really healthy form of protein, and that’s just what I say, just stick to it. I will say you’ve got to combine it with the exercise.
Nathan: Ok, so you feel both of these are key to your progress?
Matthew: You get both of those things; I’m not particularly good on my food, but because I exercise regularly, I find if you do that you know you lose 1.5lbs a week.
Nathan: You’ve got better over the time with the food though, haven’t you?
Matthew: Yes. I think for me, I kind of resisted the restriction on food for quite a long time, as you probably know, Nathan. And then, literally a few weeks ago, I thought “Well look, lose the fat” and this kind of thing, and life would be a lot easier.
Nathan: Ok. What was the main obstacle that would have prevented you from starting training with the DVCC?
Matthew: I have to say it is a financial commitment. You really do have to think hard and think yes, that’s worthwhile, and that’s what I want to spend my money on.
Nathan: You have to make that decision that you’re ready to spend money on yourself.
Matthew: You do, I think to be honest with you it’s not just money; it’s focus, it’s time – it’s everything. Do I want to feel 25, be fit, go skiing with the kids, play cricket? Or do I want to be fat and watch the tele?
Nathan: I can understand that. What excited you most about joining the DVCC when you first came in to meet - I believe it was Ross you met?
Matthew: Yes; I’ve got a couple of friends who have been and I had seen they had done very well from it; and just them telling me “Give it a go, if you want to lose weight, that’s the way to go”.
Nathan: So you’d seen other people’s results then?
Matthew: And I think as well, I very much like half an hour’s intense exercise, it suits my personality a lot more than an hour of boring treadmill.
Nathan: Ok, so it’s more intense and more exciting.
Matthew: Intensity, teamwork, good coaches; it’s a bit of fun.
Nathan: You enjoy the atmosphere, don’t you?
Matthew: I love the atmosphere, yes; I like the people, not just the coaches, but I really like the fellow students as well, we’ve all got very similar sort of outlook.
Nathan: You’re all working towards the same thing – awesome.
Would you recommend the DVCC to your friends and family? If so, why?
Matthew: Yes I absolutely would – because I like them!
Nathan: Awesome! No worries.
Do you have any final words, do you have anything you’d like to add Matthew?
Matthew: Just be kind to yourself.
Nathan: Just be honest and good to yourself… awesome, I can understand that.
Matthew, thank you very much for taking the time to speak to me today. If you’re listening to this interview I hope you found it helpful. I’m Nathan from the DVCC in Milton Keynes, have a great day.
