From the archives…
We hear from many people this time of the year that their focus is turning to lose weight ahead of the season. The holidays are over and it’s understandable we want to shed any of the weight we may have put on in the recent months. We wanted to re-post this highlight and interview with CCNS athlete and nutrition client, David Fusfield. Give it a read. If you are looking for help and support in getting to your “fighting weight” for 2020, drop us a line using our contact form at the bottom of this page.
CCNS athlete David Fusfeld has been on a tear all year long. He has lost almost 30 pounds in 6 months! He is becoming a faster runner and he’s crushing his personal goals! We spoke with him to talk about balancing his family life with his weight loss and training goals. We wanted to share the great things he had to say because any busy athlete can apply these principles in their own lives.
CCNS: Can you tell us a little about your endurance sports background?
DAVID: I’m an adult-onset runner; I started running 5k’s in 2011 at the age of 35. In late 2013, I joined a running club and realized that it was possible for average people like me to get faster by actually training and completing workouts (what a concept!). I started seeing an improved performance, and that just made me want to train harder. My 27-minute 5k became 22 and then sub-20 and more recently sub-19. Now when I run in local races I usually compete for age group awards, and recently (after starting working with CCNS) I won my first 5k! My goal this year is to break my half-marathon PR in Hartford in October.
CCNS: You have a family and a full-time job, right? Is it challenging to juggle all the responsibilities you have?
DAVID: I have a wife and teenage daughter and am the VP of infrastructure and QA for a marketing agency. I’ve been fortunate in that Jennifer, my wife, has been very supportive of my activities. On an average weekday, I wake up around 4:15 a.m. so I can get about an hour of running in before work. I’m committed to getting my training in, and I will arrange my life as much as in my control to make it happen. When I hear people say things “I don’t have time for that workout,” I don’t understand this – I almost never HAVE time either, but I MAKE time.
CCNS: Like so many athletes, especially endurance sports athletes, our goals involve losing weight. Have you always been successful in losing weight when you wanted or needed to? If not, can you describe your struggles in the past?
CCNS: What was the biggest change made to your riding routine when you started working with CCNS?
DAVID: I’ve had mixed results with weight management, definitely falling into a yo-yo dieter category. At the start of 2017, I tried to lose about 10 lbs (who doesn’t start the year like that?), but I ended 2017 almost 20 lbs UP. Suffice to say, it was very frustrating. I have a terrible sweet tooth and fall into the trap of OD’ing on sugary treats. Since I’ve been working with CCNS in 2018, I lost that 20 lbs PLUS the 10 lbs I was supposed to drop. For the first time in my adult life, I’m starting to feel like my weight is where I should be.
CCNS: What do you think has made the difference for you being able to lose weight?
DAVID: I think the CCNS approach has worked well for me in particular because of my sweet tooth. I’m eating foods that are less sweet, and, as a result, I’m craving sugar less and less. It’s helped to curb that addiction, and I’ve seen tremendous results because of it. Aidan’s approach of not dictating a menu has helped me learn what to look for when I eat, especially when the food is not in my control such as during a group outing or family dinner. Other plans fall apart the second you can’t eat specifically what has been programmed for you.
CCNS: If someone is perhaps currently second-guessing their resolve, what would you tell them?
DAVID: Remember what made you want to start down this path, and stay focused on getting there. It takes time, patience, consistency, and work, but it’s SO satisfying when you get there.
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