How did MAXIM Publisher, and self-proclaimed fitness moron, MICHAEL DOWNS turn his 79kg “sloppy” body into a trim and toned 68kg frame in just 12 weeks? His trainer, and Bulk Nutrients fitness goddess, ELLA MARTYN pulls him up to chat all about it…
So, Michael, you were given coaching by the my [Ella Martyn] fitness team for 12 weeks – how did you find the program?
It’s amazing. You know, when you try and start to get fit again you think, “Oh, I’ll probably last four weeks and then go on a drinking binge”? Well, no, I’ve actually found it quite easy to follow.
Excellent. You trained under the guidance of one of my head coaches, Josh [featured with us on the cover of this Bulk Nutrients Fitness Special], how was it working with him?
Fantastic. We trained over Zoom, because of COVID-19, but it’s great. I’m not very self-motivated and the program I was given was so easily laid out that any moron could do it. I consider myself a fitness moron and, because it was so easy to follow, I’ve since managed to get myself to the gym four times a week and now I’m self-motivated.
What were your initial goals when you started with us?
Just to tighten up my body and to feel better. I’ve never been fat but I had a bit of a Dad bod – you know, the jelly belly, not quite man boobs but maybe A-cups… and I just wanted to tone up a bit, feel fit and have more energy in life. Also fixing up my diet, which was appalling, was also a big thing for me.
I think it’s safe to say we’ve ticked all those boxes in the last 12 weeks.
Yep and, like I said, it’s been a lot easier than I thought it would be – it’s just a matter of getting that momentum. I wasn’t going on 10km runs or anything ridiculous like that – it was just some really structured resistance training.
Let’s talk about your training — what did we lay out for you?
Well, it’s four sessions a week – two upper, two lower – and you can choose which days of the week you do. You can check out all my training regime details over the page but physically I built up steadily. You always go to the gym with your mates and say, “How much can you lift on the bench press?” – that’s the measure of strength. So, what I like about the Ella Martyn fitness program is you’ve got times, reps and the total you’ve lifted for the entire session. In week one I’d lift like 10 tonnes in 45 minutes each day and then the same session in week nine, I’m doing over 25 tonnes. I was so surprised!
That’s what we call progressive overload and why following a structured program allows you to change and transform your body.
And it gets easier. I want to keep this up. I want to turn this into a 52-week program. I actually now enjoy getting up early. I used to get up just before 9 a.m. now I’m getting up at 5:30 a.m. and I feel amazing – I’ve got hours of my day back.
What other changes has this program made to your overall lifestyle?
Just better health. This program has made me realise I can actually make changes. Eating less fast food, drinking less alcohol and being more conscious of what I drink – like instead of having six beers, just have a neat scotch. Also just being conscious of the amount of fibre you eat in a day – you don’t always have to order the chips and chicken – I used to grab a schnitzel and chips for lunch and there’d be no salads, no greens… and now I’m thinking what was I doing to myself?! It’s crazy to think what I was eating before and how I was actually still alive. This has changed my habits without me even thinking about changing them.
Did COVID-19 have any impact during the 12 weeks?
No, the fact the online training are virtual sessions, if you like, allows me to check-in with Ella Martyn fitness every week or every day if I need to. The best part about it is I don’t need to call a trainer and say, “I’ll meet you soon, I’m running 15 minutes late” or “Oh, I can’t do tomorrow, I’m feeling sick”… I just go whenever I want and do it in my own time. So, COVID-19 has made it heaps easier – and there’s less people at the gym.
How has your nutrition has changed from when you started to now?
Just being more conscious of the macros. I’ve never in my life thought about measuring my food intake or how much fibre or kilojoules I’m having. I’d always be like, “Am I hungry or not hungry?” – that’s how I’d measure nutrition. And I’d have no qualms walking past a McDonald’s and grabbing a burger and chips or whatever – I wouldn’t even think about eating any greens. I’m a lot more conscious of every meal being a bit more balanced, including fibre and fruit and not too much protein.
Great to see the mindset shift and your habits are changing.
Yeah, the program really does do this to you and I’m not having to sit down and really force myself to do any of this. The meals you gave me are delicious – it’s not like I’m eating horrible stuff with no taste.
Bulk Nutrients helped you a lot, too. Which of their supplements did you use as part of your 12-week program?
In the morning I’d have 30g of vanilla-flavoured WPI (Whey Protein Isolate) with my oats, just to add some more protein and during the day I’d have a shake of Micellar Casein – the Choc Honeycomb flavour, which is delicious. It doesn’t even taste like a healthy shake – it actually tastes like something you would buy at a milkshake stand. Then every night I’d take one ZMA Complex supplement. I’d never taken supplements before, so one of my apprehensions coming into this was that they are going to taste disgusting, but these Bulk Nutrients supplements are absolutely delicious.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get back into fitness?
Just to do it and stop thinking about it because it takes no time at all. I know it’s taken 12 weeks but I feel like we started last week! You should also definitely make sure you have the Bulk Nutrients supplements – you want that extra protein to really help that muscle growth. And follow a program so that even the least motivated person, like me, can do it. Seriously, if I can do this anyone can. Don’t be scared – it’s not hard at all. ■
For the full article grab the December 2020 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
