Lived Experience

My fitness journey by Brendan Barry

Committing pen to paper to discuss health and ‘my fitness’ journey does not come naturally. When it comes to physical fitness; in the past my default consisted of enjoying a can of cider whilst watching rugby league, union or a fight on TV.

After taking my blood pressure, respiration rate, pulse and bloods my GP use to say “Brendan, you are the fittest fat bloke I know” – that was up until a couple of years ago when it changed to “Brendan, it may look like you are fit and fat, but now you are over forty – you won’t stay like this for long. Your health will deteriorate quickly and you can’t pick what day you’re going to die”. Having had to focus on improving my mental health in the past I was open to taking on the advice from my Doctor as well as motivating factors such as setting a good example for my children and wanting to be around as they grow up - I knew that I had it in me to improve my physical wellbeing too.

I read a few years ago “you are the average of the five people you hang around the most”. Twelve months ago, when I looked at the average of my five closest mates I realised that whilst all are really good blokes and would be there for me when needed in a heartbeat – what their focus was not on, was being active. Late last year, prior to coming on board with Wellbeing Support, I recorded a ‘Lived Experience’ video outlining the importance of early intervention in regard to mental health. Watching that video back, I realised that while I had focused on improving my mental health, I had severely neglected my physical health. I had abdicated responsibility for my health, blaming past physical injuries and listening to that voice inside my head that was tuned into ‘pain’ that was probably not even real.

So… with that in mind, I had coffee with an inspirational mate, who’s mantra and title of his book is “One Life, One Chance” – that was enough to inspire change (well initially to contemplate change). After reading his book and having another coffee with him, I made a decision and started putting one foot in front of the other, that being both a metaphor as well as what I actually did. ‘Taking ownership of where I was at’, was and is, the key. I couldn’t run or walk on uneven surfaces due to knee injuries – so I hit the pool and using the old adage “fake it until I make it”, swimming a couple of times a week, not enjoying it but gritting my teeth and thinking of my motivators – I kept going. Sharing my goals and exercise regime with mates, they became ‘accountability partners’, they’d check in on how often I exercised and what else I was doing. Utilising a fitness app and tracking my calories in and energy out – I made changes.

Do I still enjoy a cider or three – yes! Do I still enjoy a 500g scotch fillet steak once a week – absolutely! But I now know the ‘cost’ of that and alter my physical activity to accommodate it. You are the average of the five people you hang around the most, and as I have lost weight and my level of fitness has increased so has my average. I now have regular conversations about exercise and diet with people and having dropped 30kg in the past twelve months, my exercise regime now consists of lifting weights and some form of cardio daily. Walking on uneven ground is now no issue – and I really enjoy a walk with my kids on the weekend - it's a great time to spend together connecting.

Jocko Willink, former Navy SEAL, speaks of “Discipline Equaling Freedom” and “Extreme Ownership”, I have fully signed up to those mantras. By forming a habit of exercise, being disciplined enough to ‘do something daily’ as well as taking ownership of where I am at and where I want to be - I am achieving my goals.

I share this story for three reasons:

To encourage you to apply for the ‘Ready for Response’ 12-week program promoted by Wellbeing Support
To take ownership of where you are at, where you want to be, and take steps to achieve it
For all who read this to assist me in staying accountable for my physical fitness – hit me up, give me tips and check in on my progress (I’m still ridiculously too comfortable sitting on the lounge watching TV).

Thanks for the reading the fitness musings from a ‘reforming fat bloke’.
Brendan Barry – Tasmania Fire Service Volunteer and Program Development Coordinator at Wellbeing Support.

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