Some of us just accept the way we look, feeling that there’s nothing we can do about our eating habits and our shape. It’s hard to transform on our own; without mentors, coaches and money. One guy did. He's Ajay Patel, a former fat boy who now runs marathons and teaches fitness classes.
An IT Programme Manager, Ajay has an MSc in Management Consultancy, and lives and works in London. He is an Advanced Les Mills Trainer in Bodypump, RPM, Sprint and Les Mills Grit. He teaches Bodypump to packed classes at venues like Eden Fitness Gym.
Impressively, Ajay Patel has run 20 Marathons across the world. The first was completed in four hrs. 24 mins. (The London Marathon, 2006). Ajay's fastest was completed in three hrs. 21 mins. (The Malta Marathon 2016).
Background
Ajay Patel was born in Wolverhampton.
“My parents owned a convenience store and are now retired. I remember thinking how great it was that my parents had a convenience store- so I could eat and drink whatever I like. I was a healthy child, but overweight. Living above a shop meant that I would eat and drink unhealthy snacks continually – often three to four packets of crisps and chocolate bars a day. My actual weight gain was 12 stones at 14 years of age, at 16 years I weighed 14 stone and the weight continually increased into my late teens,” Ajay recalls, “to 22 stones at 20 years of age.”
Transformation
As for many of us with weight problems, there was a crisis point.
Ajay recalls, “The tipping point was when I was at Lincoln University (my second year). I went into River Island to try on an X-Large sweatshirt, I looked in the mirror and it was tight. I realised I had to do something about it as I would be unable to buy clothes from anywhere as many stores don't carry XXL clothes. I told myself 'enough was enough' and started to go to the gym and walk wherever I could e.g. to the supermarket, town centre, cinema, etc (as opposed to getting the taxi).”
Ajay, unusually, did all this on his own, without the benefit of extra funds or personal training.
How he came to effect the transformation is not a secret, he says.
“You have to want to do it yourself. Until you realise that, no matter what anyone says, you won't do it. My parents, aunts and uncles would say to me 'Ajay you need to lose weight,' 'Ajay you have put on weight,' etc but I wouldn't worry about it and would get on with day-to-day life. Only when I realised that something needed to change did I then make the leap of faith to action the change and become a healthier and fitter person.
I started to eat a lot healthier (fruit and vegetables), exercised (swimming initially), and attended the gym.”
Marathon Running
It was not long before Ajay made Marathon running a goal. But why?
“I watched the Paralympics over 11 years ago and I thought to myself, these people are ‘disabled’ but they ‘can’ achieve great success. I realised I was an ‘able bodied person’ and thought, I want to lose weight and run. Run and achieve something that today (after 11 years) I am still passionate about and enjoy.
Giving Back to Parents
Ajay has a special feeling for his mother and father, embodying core Indian/Asian values.
“My parents brought me up to 'treat others as you'd like to be treated' and more importantly 'always work hard'. I have done both of those and thank my parents for teaching me the core values in being a 'good' person. I know that not everyone will share the same sentiment or outlook in life but it's got me to where I am today; successful and confident in my abilities. Not only as an IT Programme Manager but also in inspiring people to achieve their goals in becoming healthier and fitter.”
Ajay often visits his parents in Leicester and recently helped them purchase a house, sell their shop (after 35 years) and relocating.
How does Ajay Patel plan his time?
“Good question...having a clear mind and some ‘me’ time; running; I’m able to switch off from the world, allowing me to refocus and reprioritise when I do plan. My mobile phone helps me ‘fit’ everything in.”Ajay Patel's philosophy is; “You have one life; challenge the unknown, conquer your fears and achieve your dreams. The world is yours.”
