Bad back - fractured vertebrae & prolapsed discs. Another challenge to overcome. Rehab here I come!
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Nathan Dennis
- Male
- Railton, Tasmania
- Australia
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Nathan Dennis's Discussions
Metabolism Kick-Start?
Started Dec 17, 2009 0 Replies 0 Likes
Having lost 40kgs this year my weight loss is starting to slow down. I've achieved the weight loss through regular running, cycling and bodyweight exercises. I'm now about to begin lifting weights. I…Continue
Tags: metabolism, Increase
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Recent Activity
BodyPROUD left a comment for Nathan Dennis
Hi Nathan,
Good luck with the physio and stay positive! We hope that the BodyProud Community will be a good source of support!
kathleen left a comment for Nathan Dennis
WOW...I am speachless and honored that you requested my friendship. Your story has touched my heart!! You trull are BODY PROUD and like the others have mentioned this site is amazing and you will find comfort, joy and honor in many many people!!!…
Metabolism Kick-Start?
Having lost 40kgs this year my weight loss is starting to slow down. I've achieved the weight loss through regular running, cycling and bodyweight exercises. I'm now about to begin lifting weights. I was wondering if anyone had some tips on getting my metabolism kick-started again to trigger more weight loss. Nutrition, exercise, fat-burning products? Help!
Discussion posted by Nathan Dennis
Amy Barnes left a comment for Nathan Dennis
Hi Nathan!! Welcome to your new family! You will find hope, and more inspiration here than any place on earth.. there is always someone on here to push you...motivate you and talk you off the ledge (I speak from experience!) Through this site I have…
I really need to get some work done today! All the body proud stories are great & inspiring, all I can think about now is my workout!
Status posted by Nathan Dennis
Nathan Dennis updated their profile
Yvette Shaw left a comment for Nathan Dennis
Nathan. Wow! How awesome is our God!! Many times, we dont even know how we continue along our path but by the grace of God carrying us when we are weak.
I am inspired reading your journey and proud that you are that tenacious individual striving to…
Starting weight training for first time, having lost 40kgs doing cardio & bodyweight exercises. Free weights or kettlebells? Suggestions?
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Nathan Dennis left a comment for Nathan Dennis
Thanks to Angel, Julie and Jeffrey for their kind words - it means a lot. I'm on an exciting journey and loving it.
Profile Information
- My Plug:
- Health and Physical Education Teacher - Yolla District High School.
- My BodyPROUD Story
- The last ten years have been a rollercoaster for me. As a 19-year-old I was excelling in football, cricket and just completed the first year of a Bachelor of Human Movement course, achieving High Distinctions in every subject. However, a holiday work accident changed everything, and nearly cost me my life.
Working near a conveyor belt, my left arm became caught in the moving belt, right up to my shoulder. I was stuck in this position for 3 and a half hours, with the belt grinding away skin and muscle from my left arm as no workmates were around. Eventually my body swelled so much that I could not breathe, literally unable to open my mouth, only able to get air in a small gap between clenched teeth. When I was eventually found I was close to death, with a paralysed left arm and toxic shock.
My left arm was decimated, with severe burns and muscle loss. You could see bone! I lost my deltoid muscle completely and one of my nerves was severed. After 14 surgeries consisting of skin grafts and muscle flaps (lat dorsi and pec were used to rebuild my shoulder) I was sealed up, and I regained some movement in my arm. The doctors told me my arm would largely be useless and may need to be amputated in the future.
Defying everyone I did everything thing I could to keep my arm and rebuild a body that had been in a hospital bed for close to 12 months. I endured excruciating physiotherapy to get my left arm stretched out again, but due to having no deltoid and the nerve damage could not fully supinate the arm, make a fist or lift the arm above chest height. By the end of that year I was back playing cricket again (one-handed) and planned to go back to university having missed a full year.
I did well at university again, completing a four-year degree in three years having overloaded big time! I thrived on taking on challenges, finishing with 1st Class Honours and a prize as the best Bachelor of Human Movement graduate in Tasmania. I also got back into A-Grade cricket, not bad for someone with a bung arm!
Working life presented new challenges, as I took on many roles inside and outside school, and somewhere along the way my work/exercise balance was lost. I began eating convenience food, exercising less and not going out. Depression and post-traumatic stress came to the fore, and I hit rock bottom in 2008, unable to get out of bed, weighing 140kg and subsisting on a diet of KFC, pizza and family blocks of chocolate. None of my clothes fit me, I was embarrassed to be seen in public and I could not work.
With 2009 starting I made a vow to turn things around, or else my time on this planet would be too short. I couldn’t run a lap of the local oval, I would break into a sweat just sitting down and I hated what I saw in the mirror. Thanks to a support crew of my doctor, psychologist, personal trainer and family members, I have now lost 40kgs and completed the Burnie 10 in 53:15. I now train every day and have done a mixture of running, cycling and bodyweight circuits. With what I have read in Natural Bodz and other magazines I was excited to see what could be achieved with weight training, and now I am embarking on making this a part of my fitness regime. I have a Powertec multi-gym, dumbbells, barbells and kettlebells and have begun (slowly) the task of sculpting a lean, mean physique.
To look at me now you’d think I was just another overweight bloke. But you have to realise I started at the polar opposite end of the fitness spectrum. My body is a work in progress!
- My Facts 'n Stats:
- Height: 178kg
Current Weight: 98kg (was 140kg in December 2008!)
- My bodyPROUD Goals:
- Having lost 40kgs in 2009 through running, cycling and bodyweight exercises, I am excited to be starting weight training. I can't wait to see the transformation it creates for my body. I know it will be hard work, but mixing weights with some cardio and a clean diet should see me consistently achieve my goals.
- My AHA Life Defining Moments:
- Keep striving to be the best you that you can be.
- My Transformation Triumphs!
- Keeping my left arm despite what the doctors predicted.
Completing my degree in 3 years instead of 4, due to spending 12 months in hospital.
Losing 40kgs in 2009 and finishing a 10km race in 53:15!
- My bodyPROUD Intentions:
- Increase My Confidence, Improve my Health, Gain More Flexibility, Increase My Strength, Keep Me Young, Feel Better about Myself, Sculpt My Physique, Be an Inspiration to Others
- To Become BodyPROUD, I commit to do the Following:
- Lifelong - but I would like to reach a weight around 80kgs in the next 12 months.
- Life Advice that Helped Me:
- Set your mind on what you want to achieve, visualise it, relish the challenge and enjoy the journey!
- How I Boosted my Confidence and/or Added Joy and/or Health into my Life:
- Eat a good breakfast to kick start your metabolism.
Eat frequently from good sources of proteins, carbs and fats.
Physical fitness should be a lifelong journey.
Never, never, never give up.
- Please Help ME with:
- Weight training for those with an upper body disability.
Nutrition for weight loss/maintenance.
- My Dietary &/or Training Routine:
- I eat 3 solid meals per day, with meal 1 being a breakfast cereal (oats), meal 2 and meal 3 meat/poultry/fish with vegetables.
Other meals are protein shakes/bars/fruit.
I do cycling twice per week, running twice per week, and cricket three times per week.
- Expressing Gratitude is a Key Ingredient to a Happy Life. I Am Grateful for:
- A second chance at life!
Keeping my left arm, although not fully functional it still works!
The support of my family and friends.
- My Hero / Role Model / Trainer / Sponsor / Coach / Guru... and Why
- I am in awe of people who have overcome adversity to reach their goals. People like Lance Armstrong, Michael Milton, Kurt Fearnley are testament to the strength of the mind and the resilience of the body.
- Profession:
- Teacher
- I learned about bodyPROUD.org from:
- A google search related to fitness and improving one's body.
Nathan Dennis's Photos
Comment Wall (9 comments)
- At 5:32pm on January 30, 2012,
Trainer J (Nutritionist) said… “I have 25 Spots Open for Consulting”
Wait to you see what I am doing for YOU Nathan,
I know many of you have the desire and intention to make changes in your life, become bodyPROUD and feel good about the way you look and feel.
We also know that it's not always easy especially if you don't know where to start.
My company TrueStar Nutrition is now offering to everyone in our BodyPROUD Community complimentary one-on-one sessions with a Wellness Consultant and Accountability Partner/Coach. They will set you up with a meal plan customized to your taste, your body and health goals, your medical history and your dietary requirements. In addition, you'll get healthy recipes and shopping lists to make it that much easier for you to understand.Appointments are on a first-come, first-serve basis so go ahead and book yours today! Email us at globalfitnessexplosion@comcast.net and it will all be arranged for you. Be sure to leave your telephone number and the best time to reach you.
That's all it takes to set you up to a lifetime of better health, new-found confidence, feeling great and being body PROUD!
With much respect and great admiration,
Jason Ferraro/Nutritional Expert/Top Personal Trainer
For faster response contact my office @412-818-8033
BodyPROUD Ambassador
The bodyPROUD Community
- At 8:42pm on May 15, 2010,
BodyPROUD said…
- Hi Nathan,
Good luck with the physio and stay positive! We hope that the BodyProud Community will be a good source of support!
- At 11:30pm on January 22, 2010,
kathleen said…
- WOW...I am speachless and honored that you requested my friendship. Your story has touched my heart!! You trull are BODY PROUD and like the others have mentioned this site is amazing and you will find comfort, joy and honor in many many people!!! You truly are an inspiration and I am glad I logged on today to accept your request and read your profile!!! Feel free to drop me a line anytime Id love to chat!!!! Big Smiles Katy
- At 8:56pm on December 16, 2009,
Amy Barnes said…
- Hi Nathan!! Welcome to your new family! You will find hope, and more inspiration here than any place on earth.. there is always someone on here to push you...motivate you and talk you off the ledge (I speak from experience!) Through this site I have met the most AMAZING people and hav been blessed to call this my new family. Your story is an incredible one.. and you will continue to motivate and inspire others!!! GOod luck on your journey.. we are all here to help!!!
- At 7:21pm on December 16, 2009,
Yvette Shaw said…
- Nathan. Wow! How awesome is our God!! Many times, we dont even know how we continue along our path but by the grace of God carrying us when we are weak.
I am inspired reading your journey and proud that you are that tenacious individual striving to make a difference to be a fantastic role model to others.
You are indeed, very special! Enjoy the Body Proud ride. It truly is a wonderful way of life. God Bless.
- At 4:19pm on December 16, 2009,
Nathan Dennis said…
- Thanks to Angel, Julie and Jeffrey for their kind words - it means a lot. I'm on an exciting journey and loving it.
- At 12:45pm on December 16, 2009,
Angel Alberto Garcia said… - Nathan, I would like to welcome you to BodyProud.org. Enjoy your membership and have a nice day.
- At 9:26am on December 16, 2009,
Julie Perez said… - woah Nathan! so proud of you! Keep up the hard work, it can only go up from here!
- At 7:12am on December 16, 2009,
BodyPROUD said…
- Wow, Nathan, thanks for sharing that story and thanks for inspiring body proud!
Please keep us all updated on your journey! :)
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