Body-for-LIFE Case Study Porter Freeman - the original BFL Champion

This month (on March 17 th ) EAS will host its 2006 Body-for-LIFE Awards and name the three men and women who have won their age categories. They will also name the overall men's and women's champion and then the overall champion. It's always a great night and this year special guest Porter Freeman is flying in from the US to present the Awards. Porter was the first Body-for-LIFE Champion when, 10 years ago at the age of 47 he completed the Challenge. 10 years later he is still fighting fit and travels the world to encourage and congratulate men and women who are following his example.

" The Body-for-LIFE Challenge changed my life and maybe saved it too. Before I entered the Challenge I was a mess. I was headed downhill in a big way. I managed nightclubs and was drinking beer and eating junk food night after night. I was an unhealthy 260-pound, out-of-shape old guy. "

Porter Freeman, EAS Director of Body-for-LIFE.

Ten years ago Porter was overweight, unhealthy, unhappy and unfit. He was on a slippery slope descending towards heart failure through daily abuse of his body. He's not alone in this: obesity is a rising problem. In Porter's native America the problem is more pronounced that here in the UK - but obesity is on the up and up here.

Porter, 57, is the International Ambassador for the Body- for -LIFE Challenge and travels worldwide meeting new Body- for -LIFE Champions. He motivates people to achieve their goals - not just dream about them. Many people think about losing weight, getting fit, toning up and feeling energised again - usually on January 1 st , just before their summer holiday or after a health scare.

Porter helps put the whole thing into perspective and within reach.

He was just an ordinary, overweight, unhealthy, unfit man. He made the decision and made the change. And he believes anyone else who seriously wants to follow his example can do so. Here is his story.

In 1997 aged 47 Porter Freeman took up a 12-week fitness challenge - that was soon to be known as the EAS Body-for-LIFE Challenge.

One night he was eating a bag of crisps, drinking another bottle of beer and reading an article in Muscle Media about a fitness challenge. The rewards for the winner were high - a Lamborghini, $50,000 and a new, fit body for life. Partway through, Porter put down the crisps and bottle, but he didn't put down the article. Once he'd finished it he knew this was something he was going to do.

He admits it was the 'hardest easy thing I've ever done.' Working in a nightclub he was around food and spirits 10, 12, 14 hours a day. Those temptations were there all the time Porter did his Body-for-LIFE 12 week challenge: but he had made the decision that enough was enough. And while in the early weeks he wanted to eat something that was bad for him, he wanted to be healthy more, and reminding himself of this fact kept him focused.

In the beginning, he was worn out. Managing several businesses with both a day and night shift in several different clubs, Porter had a taxing lifestyle before he added in daily workouts. But after a couple of weeks on the programme of eating good food a little and often and going to the gym daily the habit was established. And his energy levels 'went through the roof.' Porter could work for 14/15 hours and then go to the gym at 2-3 AM to work out. Within four weeks, he could see the muscle coming and the fat going.

The statistics

•  Porter followed the Body-for-LIFE programme at the age of 47

•  He weighed 260lbs and had 30% body fat

•  He lost 50lbs of FAT in 12 weeks

•  And went on to lose a further 15lbs

•  And gained 10lbs of lean muscle

•  He now weighs 170lbs and is 13% body fat

•  10 years later he is still in top physical and mental form

The Facts

•  You can fit exercise into the most hectic lifestyle: even shift work

•  You can fit good nutrition into a busy lifestyle: even if you work around food and drink

•  It's never too late to adopt a better exercise and nutrition programme

•  Thousands of people have completed the challenge with great results

•  EAS Body-for-LIFE has been going for 10 years now and is growing in popularity - how many other diets/regimes of the 90s can say the same?

What is Body-for-LIFE?

The EAS Body-for-LIFE exercise and nutrition programme alternates short, intensive 45-minute weight training sessions on one day with 20-minute cardio vascular sessions the next. The intensity of the sessions is high to ensure that participants can suitably fatigue their body and 'overload' their muscles, therefore ensuring impressive results. The dietary plan involves eating five to six small meals a day to provide energy for the intensive workouts and sufficient nutrients for adequate recovery. Find out more about the exercises and nutrition at www.bfl-uk.com.

The Body-for-LIFE Challenge is a free fitness challenge open to men and women of all ages and fitness levels. Entrants must follow the exercise and eating plan for 12 weeks and submit 'before' and 'after' photographs of their body. Prizes are awarded to men and women in three age categories.

Find out more about Body-for-LIFE and the Body-for-LIFE Challenge at www.bfl-uk.com or call EAS on 0870 350 3270.

What Porter Says

'I wish everyone only the best in health and good fortune. Their future is in their hands. Good and bad things happen to all of us but eating healthy and doing some sort of exercise is up to us. Do your best.'

" Every workout gets you closer and closer and closer to your goal. So the energy will come, and don't let soreness, fatigue or discomfort initially stop you from being the ultimate you. And it will happen. Stay with it! "

' The most important piece of equipment in any gym is the fork '

" I refuse to eat poorly regardless of where I am. It just isn't going to happen. "

" I can name a hundred hotels across America that put out a free breakfast in the morning. I go past the donuts, the French toast and syrup, the pastry and get a bowl of oatmeal and an apple. That's just the way it is ."

" You can do this: you just have to want it. "

Next month: meet the first of the 2006 champions..