Fitness Role Model: How This Singaporean Guy Motivates His Peers By Losing 3.8kg In 11 weeks
NAME: Paul Soon
PREV WEIGHT: 68.2KG
CURRENT WEIGHT: 64.4KG
HEIGHT: 1.64m
OCCUPATION: CEO
TIME TAKEN: 11 WEEKS
Paul Soon sees himself as a fitness role model and positive motivation for loved ones who are trying to get into shape.
THE SETBACK
“I was fairly healthy before joining Ultimate Performance (UP). I went to the gym, and played touch rugby occasionally.” Paul recounted. “But somehow, I just couldn’t see and get the results that I wanted.” He said. Paul’s predicament is not surprising: without any proper guidance, and a weakness for pulled pork burgers and gummies, it was no surprise that his fitness journey wasn’t making any inroad.
THE WAKE-UP CALL
“I wanted to get professional advice and some motivation to push myself to my limits, both physically and mentally,” Paul said when asked on what the push factor was for him to act on his fitness journey. The CEO went on to explain that seeing the physical changes in his body is a great form of motivation.
THE PLAN
Paul had come across UP on his Instagram feeds and social network services. Intrigued, the 43-year-old he logged on to the website and was wowed by the results that were featured. “The testimonials of the clients were really amazing,” he said. There was some form of hesitation at first, but “the results don’t lie.”
FOOD
Paul’s work requires him to travel a lot, but he said that was no excuse for not eating healthily, and even added that, at times, he would pack tuna cans while travelling to ensure that he gets the necessary amount of nutrients each day.
Otherwise, he doesn’t follow a regimented nutrition plan and instead goes for pre-paid meals; He caters his food from places that calculate the calories, proteins and other nutrients necessary for daily consumption.
FITNESS
Paul is still undergoing the fitness training programme that his trainer, Matej, had set for him initially, which involves big compound moves and weights, proper tempos and rest periods in between to optimise his strength and endurance.
THE REWARD
Paul gains motivation from two areas. One, feeling his physical fitness improve. “In the past, I could barely run 3km without feeling breathless. Now, a distance of 7km to 8 km is not even an issue!”
Another source of motivation comes from his family and friends, who often go: “Take off your shirt, we want to see your abs!” But as he said: ” I see myself as a source of motivation, especially among peers my age. If I can be at my optimal level of physical fitness past the age of 40 years old, they would think, ‘Why can’t I be like Paul as well?”
As a form of advice to those who are trying to lose weight, or improve their physical shape than they are now, he simply said: “It’s doable. Costly, yes, but you only have on life, so live it as well as you can, and be a positive effect on friends and family.”
By Nicholas Woo. Photo by Vernon Wong.
