Hey,
Simon here, Leicester’s most experienced personal trainer!
So today. It’s time for real talk.
These days, I walk around at about 64kg. I’m 5ft 6, so that puts me in a healthy place. But I wasn’t always here. At my heaviest, I was nearly 100kg. I’ve worn jeans that had overhang, pulled at my T-shirt in the mirror and dodged lake swims with my mates because I didn’t want to take my top off.
For years, I struggled to lose the weight. Sometimes I’d shift a bit, only for it to come straight back. Other times, despite thinking I was doing “everything right,” the scale wouldn’t budge. It felt like I was constantly climbing a hill, sliding backwards more often than not.
But eventually, I figured it out. Not just how to lose weight—but how to keep it off. So, I want to share what helped me get there. Maybe it’ll help you too.
1. Get Clear on Your “Why”
The first thing I had to learn was why it actually mattered to me.
In the beginning, it was confidence. Plain and simple. I wanted to feel like myself, instead of hiding behind my body. I didn’t want to be the guy sitting on the sidelines because he felt “too fat” to join in. I didn’t want to second-guess every interaction because I was uncomfortable in my own skin.
That was the first “why.”
But your “why” really isn’t a static thing—your “why” can (and probably will) change over time. Mine certainly did. At different points in my life, I trained and ate well because:
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I wanted to become a better Thai boxer (spoiler: I wasn’t exactly championship material, but I gave it a go).
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I was studying exercise science at university and wanted to train like an athlete.
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I wanted to feel confident enough to meet someone new.
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I was launching Lifestyler with my wife and knew that the better shape I was in, the more people might give us a second look online.
The point is, the clearer you are on why it matters, the easier it becomes to make the right decisions when it counts. Because let’s face it—motivation won’t always be there. Life gets busy. Temptations pop up. But if you’ve got a reason that genuinely matters to you, you’ll have something solid to lean on when willpower runs low.
Additional Reading: To learn more about why your “why” matters, check out But Why? The Key to Lasting Change
2. Build a Real Plan (Not Just Hope)
The second big shift? Having a clear plan.
Whenever I’ve made the most progress—physically and mentally—it’s always been when I’ve had a specific plan in place. When I know what I’m meant to do and when I’m meant to do it.
Without a plan, it’s too easy to say, “Ah, I’ll do it later.” And “later” usually turns into “never.” But with a plan, things become much clearer. Motivation becomes less important, because you’ve already made the decision in advance. You’re not waiting to feel like it—you’re just following through.
Don’t get me wrong. That doesn’t mean the first plan is always the perfect one. Far from it.
I’ve made loads of plans that didn’t quite work. Maybe I overshot what I could realistically stick to. Or maybe I underestimated how much time I had. That’s okay. When that happens, I don’t scrap the whole thing—I reflected, I tweaked and I went again.
Over time, that process has taught me a lot about me. I’ve learned what I need in place to succeed. What trips me up. What helps me stay consistent.
So don’t expect your first plan to be perfect. Just start with something, test it out, and improve it as you go.
3. Let It Be a Journey (Not a Deadline)
Here’s something I didn’t get at first: weight loss isn’t a one-time project. You don’t “fix it” and then go back to how things were. It’s a journey. A shift in mindset, habits and daily actions.
Yes, it gets easier. No, you don’t have to diet forever. But the truth is, the habits you build now? They’re the same ones that’ll help you stay in shape later.
In my early days, I’d go hard for six weeks, then crash. The focus was all on the short-term. But when I started thinking long-term—about building a life I didn’t want to escape from—that’s when things really changed.
What You Can Take from This
Everyone’s journey is different. But if I could go back and give myself a few pointers early on, here’s what I’d say. And maybe they’ll help you, too:
1. Find Your “Why”
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Take five minutes. Seriously. Ask yourself: Why does this matter to me?
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Write it down. Make it real. Keep it somewhere visible—your fridge, your phone, your mirror.
2. Make a Simple Plan
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You don’t need a 12-week bootcamp. Just a structure.
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Example: What are you eating for your next 3 meals? When are you moving your body next?
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Bonus tip: Don’t aim for “perfect”—aim for “doable.”
3. Expect to Adjust
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If your plan doesn’t work? That’s not failure. That’s feedback.
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Reflect, tweak and go again. Every adjustment brings you closer to what works for you.
4. Use “Yes, but…” When Tempted
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Temptation hits hard sometimes. But it doesn’t last forever.
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When you want to overeat, say: “Yes, I can eat more, but I’ll wait 15 minutes first. That pause gives you power.
5. Don’t Go It Alone
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Whether it’s friends, family, or a coaching system like Lifestyler—support helps.
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You don’t need to do everything on your own to be successful.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the middle of your journey right now, just know—I’ve been there. I know how frustrating it can feel. But I also know what’s possible when you stick with it.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep learning, adjusting, and showing up for yourself.
Because if I can go from nearly 100kg to here—not just in body, but in mindset—you can too.
And if you want support from people who get it, that’s exactly what we built Lifestyler for. You’re not alone in this.
Alternatively, if you’re Leicester based and want a personal trainer, then get in touch!
I offer one-to-one and couples personal training sessions!
Either way, good luck! And I hope you reach your goals soon. Believe me, it’s so worth it!
Simon
Personal Trainer at Leicester based Body Development Centre