I AM Magazine Issue 22 Oct. 2015 1 | Page 10

am sure many of you have heard the phrase, ‘Your body is a temple, therefore you must treat it like one’. I have contemplated this phrase myself many times. If you really stop and think, how many things form your lifestyle that would essentially be out of place in a ‘temple’? When I picture a temple I imagine a place of peace and serenity. Clean floors and walls and a simple sense of freshness. When I look at behavioural patterns that have formed my lifestyle over the years, I can’t make the connection between weekend booze binges and the essence of a temple. In fact, if someone asked me to enter a temple armed with a bottle of wine and Maccas, I would flat out refuse. Why? Because it is simply disrespectful and just doesn’t … ‘fit’. And there you have it. By bringing these things into the temple – the temple that is your body – you are showing some heavy duty disrespect. And, not to bricks and mortar … to yourself. Grant Johnson, from Renovating The Temple, knows exactly what I am talking about. It was only 12 months ago that Grant was tipping the scales at 135kgs, and if he had to add an emoji to his feelings regarding ‘work’ life and physical appearance, it would be one “pretty unhappy” face. As for home time, Grant thought life was pretty spectacular. Amazing wife, new home and a fun lifestyle mixed with a bit of booze, smoking and band time. On the outside, Grant known more commonly as “Big Fella”, was having the time of his life… on the inside however, the story was very different. Grant : “All through my 20's and 30's I worked in an office environment, and as many do, I got caught up in the cycle and culture of sitting all day, smoking, drinking excessively and generally eating poorly. Hitting 40 was huge for me. It made me take stock of what I had done in my life so far, and how I wanted my future to look. As a performer (bass player) in a few bands I was photographed regularly, and although seeing myself performing was a pleasure, I always felt let down by my appearance. Something had to change. I could no longer kid myself that I was invincible or immune to health problems as I aged if I didn't start taking care of myself now. I love my wife and family more than anything. I want to be around for the long haul with them, and be able to contribute as opposed to being a curse. As the old saying goes ‘My body is a temple’, but mine was in need of serious renovation. Years of trashing my body had bent me right out of shape, both physically and mentally.” Since coming to the realisation and decision to change, Grant has dropped 42kgs and says he is in the best shape of his life. His career has done an absolute back-flip, with Grant no longer in a sedentary job. Now a Personal Health and Fitness Trainer, Grant is active all day long and absolutely loves his new role helping others make the changes they need, to achieve a goal that will evidently change their life. One of Grants favourite motto’s is; “If you're not happy with the temple you've got, the only way to fix it is to renovate it … one drop of sweat at a time”. And, he is helping his clients do this by providing them with the wisdom he found during his very own personal weight loss journey. I think if there is one thing that can be taken from Grant’s story, it would be the evidence that ‘anyone’ can change their life. Whether it’s your career, your appearance or your overall happiness, it is never too late to change lifestyle habits. Even if it is in the smallest way to begin with. Every step towards a healthier you, is a good one. And who knows, like Grant, you could find yourself heading towards more goodness than you ever expected. “With thousands of different diets, exercise plans, super foods, shakes and supplements buzzing around, I believe I can help clear the confusion and set my future