The Tribune

Health coach Ethan Quant, of Elite Wellness Solutions, has succeeded in his weight loss journey and now wants to share his methods with the Bahamas in an effort to foster a culture of wellness and conquer the obesity epidemic.

By ETHAN QUANT

One of the things I was most afraid of when I was first starting my health, wellness and fitness journey was being the fat guy in the gym. I just automatically assumed that I would be judged and laughed at because I didn't know how to use the equipment or perform the exercises correctly. I literally avoided it for as long as I could.

When I finally built up the courage to go, I didn't have a trainer or a 'gym buddy' to show me around. Rather, I had a photocopied article from a Men's Health magazine that I got from a doctor's office as my guide. I will never forget it! It was titled "Six Week Shred", and it consisted of exercises for six days a week along with a meal plan. As primitive as it was, that was my first training programme.

Admittedly, I didn't know how to do any of the exercises or understood the terminology. All I knew was that I wanted to transform my body, and in my mind, the best place to do that was in the gym. Before long, I was on Google and YouTube getting myself up to speed on the terminology and learning how to perform the exercises. I literally studied so that I wouldn't be aimlessly wondering around the gym.

The thing is that this early preparation worked. Not only did I develop a routine, but I was also comfortable and free to focus on attaining my dream body. Needless to say, I was feeling more confident. One day I went to the gym and there was a group of guys that I eventually began to notice more regularly. They trained together and all of them were fit. I admired their confidence and used them as models for what I wanted to achieve. Oddly enough, while they were serving such a major purpose on my journey, we never even had a conversation. I simply observed from afar - envisioning what it would be like when I get to their level.

As fate would have it, as I was becoming more comfortable in my routine, one of the most embarrassing things to ever happen to me took place. I was beginning my cardio session on the treadmill and a freak accident occurred. I honestly couldn't tell you exactly how it happened. But somehow, I lost my footing and tripped. Imagine that - a 6'2.5" 306-pound man clumsily falling face-first on a moving treadmill. It was absolutely dreadful.

Without a doubt, the embarrassment hurt more than the fall itself. As I tried to get up, I looked over and the same group of guys were jeering and laughing at me uncontrollably. "Fat boy fell down," I heard one of them say.

Shamefully, I eventually got up and scurried out of the gym as quickly as I could. It was one of my lowest moments as I sat in my car and cried. One of my biggest fears became reality that day, as I was the fat laughing stock of the gym.

After I collected myself, I went home and started to accept the notion that I was never going to have my dream body. I was defeated.

But after a while of sitting there wallowing in my sorrows, I had an epiphany. This was my journey and my body. And likewise, my success or failure solely depended on me. After that awakening experience, I went to the store and bought a hoodie and an iPod.

The next day I walked into the gym with a purpose. Fully garbed in my new hoodie and music blasting in my ears, I was ready to work. As focused as I had ever been, I was on a mission, and I wasn't going to let any one stop me.

In the final takeaway, the major thing I want you to remember is that it starts and ends with you. You have to decide what it is you want and go after it. Utilise the tools and resources that you already have access to. Also, get in your zone and turn off any negative voices saying that you can't do it. I am a living testimony, friends.

If you need help navigating any aspect of your health, wellness and fitness journey feel free to reach out to me directly. Always remember, at the end of the day you have the power to be successful in health, in fitness and in life!

• If you need help navigating any part of your health, wellness and fitness process, you can contact Ethan Quant at ethan@elite-wellnesssolutions.com or on Instagram at @ethanquant.