Cian Foley, a computer programmer from Waterford City, was a bronze medalist at the Natural Bodybuilding Federation of Ireland (NBFI) national championships in the Everyman Theatre, Cork last Saturday the 1st of September. Cian, 42, competed in the Men’s physique category against 8 other competitors, many of whom were in their 20s.
What is extraordinary about this story, is that Cian was once morbidly obese weighing 256lbs (over 18 Stone or 116kg). He has since managed to get his body into competitive condition having lost a more than 90lbs of body-fat and into the 1st percentile for individuals his age.
A DEXA scan at Waterford Health Park last Friday revealed just 10% bodyfat:
“My good friend Dr. Mark Rowe took me through DEXA scan results. I wanted to make sure my bodyfat levels were at safe levels, and Mark was delighted with my results revealing I was in the 1st percentile for men my age, which I’m very pleased with”, said Cian.
Cian is no stranger to sport having competed internationally for Ireland in Kettlebell sport over the past number of years and has won 2 European (Hamburg 2015, Poland 2016), a pan-American title at the Arnolds in Columbus Ohio (2014), and a World Championships in Dublin in 2015 in the 2x24kg men’s long-cycle category.
“I really enjoyed lifting kettlebells, it got me very goal focussed and sent me down the path to controlling my weight and investigating sports nutrition. I shifted to men’s physique recently because I felt I had potential with it and is in line with my goals to inspire others who suffer with being overweight/obese.”
Cian is also the author of Don’t Eat for Winter, which he suggests holds the key to nature’s little secret to losing weight. The hypothesis is that autumnal foods are eaten in every single meal and snack in the western diet, and so human beings prone to putting on weight can never become their summer selves, as they are eternally preparing for a winter that never comes.
“I believe Don’t Eat for Winter – DEFoW, was the key to my weight loss success having me walking around at a weight that was 6 weeks away from Men’s Physique competition readiness. It is the first ‘Anti-Autumnal Diet’ with the key premise being avoiding carb+fat combos, which is the signature of autumn itself and have proven to cause gorging”
Cian is a guest panelist at the Harvest Festival – Glanbia Sports Nutrition Event – alongside former Waterford Hurler Manager Derek McGrath and others next Friday at 5.30pm in the Book Centre.
For more information on Don’t Eat for Winter visit www.donteatforwinter.com or find it on facebook.
Harvest Festival Link: http://www.
