When I first met Saw at FIT, I thought he was just another one of our PT clients. I never expect him to be part of the internship programme at FIT Malaysia. However, when Key (my mentor here), introduced me to him as my colleague, I was stunt! He actually introduce himself as an ACE-Certified PT. Therefore, during one of our coffee breaks, I decided to have a chat with him…
Tell me more about yourself. Have you been overweight all your life or..?
Yes. I started gaining weight since young. My mother passed away when I was two, and my family members made sure I got the extra share of love that I lacked from my mother. I can remember how my grandmother used to feed me tons of food, fearing that I might be malnourished.
What brought about this sudden change to your lifestyle completely?
One night as I was sleeping, I felt difficulty in breathing. There’s a vivid memory of me seeing bright white lights. When I woke up, I realized that I am not living my life. Every night I go to bed, I am afraid that I might not wake up the next morning, and if I do, I actually look forward to dying rather than living. I went and bought myself a weighing scale and it showed 180 kgs and was dumbfounded. I have always thought to be my heaviest at 150 kgs and not 180 kgs. That was my turning point.
You were eliminated at week 8 on a weight loss reality programme. In the camp, you lost a staggering 34 kgs. How did you manage to another 36 kgs while being in your comfort zone (home)?
I actually reduced the intensity, frequency and workload of my exercise program. In order to have positive results, one has to feel good exercising. There is a tendency for the body to counteract if exercise becomes an obligation.
You took the American Council on Exercise (ACE) intensive course at FIT Malaysia after appearing on the weight loss reality programme and passed! Why did you do it?
I needed to know how to manage my lifestyle properly while being outside the show. Apart from that, I also want to be a Personal Trainer and help those who are in my shoes. Therefore, I asked around for prerequisites of becoming a Certified Personal Trainer and came across ACE. Through ACE, I understand how to eat better and also not to respect the body by not over training. I hope to guide people to exercise the correct way and sticking to it. Exercise should be fun and not dreadful!
Did the course help with your weight loss?
Very much indeed. I now have a better knowledge on how to design a safe and effective weight loss programme that can help to keep the weight off hence I am in control of my own body.
Did you have any support going through this challenging period?
My parents supported me throughout, and along the way I met a few acquaintances who motivated me to push through this hardship.
Are you still training till date?
Yes! In a very `ACE’ way (haha!).
You are an inspiration to many people. Is diet important for weight loss?
Yes, diet plays a just an important role in weight loss as exercise is. I began choosing healthier options and slowly dismissing all the ‘junk’ that I use to eat. Moreover, I decreased my food portions.
What is your goal? How much more weight are you looking to lose?
I hope to drop below 90 kgs by year end.
Where do you see yourself after achieving this goal?
Front cover of the Mens’ Health magazine.
Saw will be writing an article about Lose It & Keep It Off to help educate people who have intention to lose significant weight and keeping it off. Stay tune to hear from Saw.
By Shu Quan (currently waiting for ACE PT results)
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