Fascination from an early age.
I found a set of dumbbells under the stairs in my uncles house as a child and that started the interest. When I was 12 (1998) I became very ill very quickly and my weight fell to 23.6kg (52lbs)! A little more than a disc at your gym. I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease, a chronic illness which I will live with for the rest of my life. Losing some digestive organs meant I could no longer absorb all the nutrients from my food. Shorter, smaller and altered remaining organs meant that even the nutrients that could be taken in didn't have the same time to do it. Therefore gaining weight was always going to be a struggle. When I turned 17 I was over the bulk of it and had started to grow again. At 18 I was very small. I was skinny and known as the sick child. I decided I would not be a victim, it was time to bulk up. It wasn't 'till I was 20 that I really started training hard with real dedication and determination. I made huge progress between Jan 2007 and Oct 2008. The gym became my life. It gave me a sense of control over my body for the first time in almost half my life. The end of 2008 into 2009 I took a year out, my health improved and I took the opportunity to travel the world. I started back when I returned home and was doing well but 2010 was not so good. I had various problems with my illness and underwent some small procedures and treatments to counter these problems. 2011 saw me pick up in a big way, and pick up my training and diet in a new way. I was making it work. But as we came into 2012 my weight fell again from 72.1kg (159lbs) to 51.7kg (114lbs) and I was unable to do much for 15months. 2013 and Im working on fighting back once more. So far, Im in control once more.
Bit on my medical background.
I was diagnosed with Crohns October â98 at 12 years old. My Crohns affects every part of my digestive tract, mouth to tail end. Over the years Ive lost count of operations, other surgical/medical procedures. Stopped counting ops after 7 in the space of a few years. Ive lost count of meds and treatments. Ive had whole organs removed, others altered. Ive had Ulcers, Adhesions, Blockages, Cysts, Abscesses, Strictures, Kinks, Tears, Tags, Pouchitis, Fistulas & Stomas. Had thousands of needles, IV therapies, feeding tubes, blood transfusions, collapsed veins & picc lines. Had osteopenia & cracked a rib, still have constant probs with my joints, I suffered a collapsed lung post surgery, nearly suffered kidney failure. Spent such long periods in bed causing muscle atrophy, I had to learn to walk properly again. My gastro problems brought on other respiratory, urinary and nervous system problems. My weight once plummeted to 23.6kg (52lbs)! Ive often lost up to 4kg (9lbs) overnight. Parents were twice told I may not make it. Ive had my joints lock up and my body seize, Ive had cramps like you wouldnât believe and cried myself to sleep with the pain. Ive spent Christmas mornings & Birthdays in hospital. Im constantly reminded by my doctors that I could require more invasive surgery, those issues have risen again now. Recently there have been questions about requiring brain surgery. But Im fighting. Ive seen enough around hospitals to know better. Im still alive, and so long as Im here I will do what I can to make the most of things.
Ive grown up fighting, youd better believe Im good at it!
Makes me feel that despite my illness, I have some control over my body. Energy boost, stress reliever and of course the physical advantages.