Consumer Testimonials

A year of healthy changes

By Sharmin Hislop

Healthy eating and fitness seem to be on everyone’s list of things to do, but with busy work schedules and hectic family lives, we often end up eating fast foods in front of the television claiming we just don’t have the time. A healthy lifestyle however, doesn’t have to be difficult to achieve or hard to maintain. Rob Hislop, a television anchor and free lance journalist in Edmonton, dramatically changed his lifestyle and achieved his fitness and nutrition goals by making simple choices in food and level of activity.

Making a change

In December 2001, Rob weighed approximately 270 pounds (lbs). At 6 feet, 2 inches tall, he knew he weighed too much for his frame. He lacked energy and enthusiasm and often physical tasks seemed challenging. Rob decided something had to change.

Following a dream to become a bodybuilder, Rob contacted and signed up with trainers Brian and Donna Logue. Rob was put on a no-sodium, low-fat diet that included plenty of vegetables, rice, potatoes and protein sources. He began an exercise program to meet his bodybuilding goal.  It involved an hour or more of cardiovascular activity each day along with five days of weight training. It was intensive, but Rob had a goal and was determined to reach it. Within five months, Rob had dropped 91 pounds and competed in two bodybuilding competitions in Alberta. His energy had skyrocketed and so had his outlook on life. Coming off the strict diet, Rob regained some of his weight, which was expected, but his healthy lifestyle remained.

Within the next few months Rob competed in Edmonton Klondike Days “King of the Klondike” competition, the World Cup Triathlon in Edmonton and various smaller triathlons and runs throughout the area. He also began training for the ITU World Triathlon Championships in Cancun, Mexico in November. Through it all, he maintained his healthy eating habits – albeit including the “odd” brownie and donut.

Achievable steps

In Rob’s quest for fitness, his trainers told him the first thing that had to change was his diet. “Even if someone has a busy schedule and can’t get to a gym or leave the house much, changing their diet can make an instant impact,” says Rob. “I immediately noticed a change once I avoided junk food and high fat items; I didn’t feel so sluggish. I incorporated a lot of grilled chicken and fresh vegetables in my diet. Upset stomachs decreased, sleepiness during the day decreased and since the food was so nutritious and low in fat, I was able to eat a lot and still lose or maintain my weight.”

Rob admits it wasn’t easy at the beginning. Cravings still happened and social situations often made it hard. “Once I was off the bodybuilding regime, things were much easier. My diet then became one of healthy food choices instead of a strict eating plan,” says Rob. “I simply continue to chose healthy food items.

“I grew tired of chicken as the major source of my protein. In fact my friends used to joke that chickens shrieked and went running when they saw me coming,” says Rob. “I began hearing great things about bison and thought I should give it a try. It’s great. It’s extremely lean and I haven’t looked back. It has become the staple protein source during my training for the World Triathlon Championships in Cancun and will remain the main protein I use when I prepare for another round of bodybuilding competitions next year.”

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