Peter Willson before and after his 35-pound weight loss.
Peter Willson
60, Toronto
Pounds dropped: 35
My turning point: My work/life balance was way out of whack in 2007. I was spending night after night at a desk, working on a launch of Hello! Canada magazine, and not making any use of the fitness club just six floors below. Eventually, one night, I needed an excuse to get out of the office. I joined a Hip Hop class and when it ended, I followed some people into a spin class. I was instantly hooked.
My method: Spin gets a bad rap, but it's only as tough as you want to make it. Try it three times and you'll be hooked – then get into classes with instructors and music you like. I became an instructor in 2010, so I was spinning four times a week at one point, and it was all about the music.
I try to bring humour to the class, get to know the participants and most important, create a great playlist. For many, it's a great workout and also a rock history session – they hear everything from Fleetwood Mac to Lady Gaga.
Food wise, I've cut back. I used to go to Swiss Chalet and have two regular Cokes, never considering that wasn't a good idea. I'll now have a diet Coke, take the salad over fries, and I've backed off on bread, but I'll never be a 'no carb' guy.
My kryptonite: I can't resist a nice cold beer(s) but I'm glad to have discovered some good low-alcohol brands. Also pasta and steak are my downfall, but I know somewhere around the next corner is my next spin class, rocking out to Born This Way or a little John Cougar Mellencamp.
Tell us how you lost it: tgam.ca/weightloss