Weight Loss Case Studies
Jeff Todd
The Indoor Rower has played an instrumental role in helping heart attack victim, 54 year old Jeff Todd, to not only lose over 11 stone in weight, but to also become physically fit and one of the best indoor rowers in his age group in the country.
In July of 2001, Jeff, from Woodford Green in Essex, suffered the first of two heart attacks, caused by spasming arteries. Jeff's condition was not helped by the fact that he was smoking 60 cigarettes a day, he is diabetic and as a result of general inactivity, weighed 24 stone.
After his first heart attack and five days spent in hospital, Jeff was undergoing an assessment on a hospital treadmill, where he suffered a second heart attack.
After an angiogram operation, Jeff was placed on the road to rehabilitation, firstly receiving further medical treatments, then education on diet and medication, followed by a mild fitness programme at a local gym for people participating in a Cardio Rehab Programme.
Jeff was then introduced to gym instructors, who in turn, introduced him to the Indoor Rower. At this point, Jeff weighed 27 stone (an effect of stopping smoking and the inactivity of recovering from his heart attacks) and would have to reach the gym half an hour before his session to allow himself time to get into the actual gym.
Once in the gym, Jeff began to use the Concept 2 to row for around five minutes each day, along with a Top TX machine and a recumbent exercise bike - this was October 2002.
Feeling a sense of well being from the exercise, Jeff began to get the bug and began going to the gym as often as possible and was one day shown a book of performance times from the British Indoor Rowing Championships by his instructor.
As Jeff explains: "I began to take a real interest in the rowing, it gave me something tangible to aim for and I began to think about my own times when I was on the Indoor Rower."
This focus began to pay off and by December 2002, Jeff was spending around ten to twelve hours each week in the gym and was recording times of 8:20 - 8:30 when rowing 2,000 metres on a Concept 2 Indoor Rower.
By March 2003, Jeff had got his weight down to 23 stone, and his 2,000 metre rowing time down to 8:10. It was also around this time that the rowing bug had really bitten Jeff and he decided to visit his first Indoor Rowing event, the Grand Prix event in Nottingham. Once there, Jeff met up with Alex Brown, a rower in the 50+ heavyweight category.
"When I met Alex, I told him my story and how I would like to one day row competitively like him," says Jeff.
"He basically told me that I would need to lose more weight and to keep trying - as I had come so far already." Jeff began to train more intensively, not just with the Indoor Rower, but also with the other gym equipment. It was now July 2003 and he was covering 130 miles each week on his three exercise machines, spending a total of 22 hours each week in the gym and aerobics classes.
It was also around this time that he felt ready to enter his first indoor rowing competition and at an event in Enfield, Jeff entered the Men's 50+ heavyweight category, where he rowed 2,000 metres in just 7 minutes and 7 seconds - beating even renowned indoor rower, Anna Bailey.
Jeff then went on to enter the British Indoor Rowing Championships and Grand Prix Series for the 2003/2004 season, finishing the British Championships an amazing 35th out of 120 racers. Jeff had now reduced his record time for the 2,000 metre row to just 7:03. By this point Jeff's weight was down to 16.5 stones and his trouser size had dropped from 54 to 37 inches!
Jeff is now attending regular race meetings and is even racing against the person who inspired him and offered encouragement, Alex Brown. Says Jeff:
"I am beginning to catch Alex as I get better, and there will come a time soon when he and the other race leaders in my category will be looking over their shoulders for me!
"Rowing is the most intense experience and it has given me the goals to focus on throughout my rehabilitation, as well as helping to make me a genuinely fit individual. My goal now is to take one of the top three places in one of the Indoor Rowing Grand Prix events - and if I've already come this far, I don't see any reason why I won't achieve that."
Since entering the gym in October 2002 Jeff has had the same instructor who has brought him through to this present moment. She attends all his races and is a constant source of encouragement and support.
Whilst Jeff recognises that he must continue to exercise to keep his heart condition in check, he appreciates that competitive rowing may not be something that he will do forever, but he firstly wants to achieve his goals and continue to enjoy the camaraderie of the Indoor Rowing community.
"I really enjoy the events as the other competitors - who are in reality, people that I am trying to beat - have always been so helpful to me, respecting my condition and the work that I have put in to turn it around."