Because of his weight, Paul Giles used to be the guy his hockey team stuck in front of the net to help block pucks.
Three months later and 52 pounds lighter, the 38-year-old said he’s outskating guys nearly half his age and has the stamina to outlast them.
“Now I’m actually wheeling a little bit out there,” he said at Trainer’s Edge Gym Friday morning.
He also used to sit on the couch with ice cream watching his wife work out, wishing he had more resolve to do something about his weight. Giles was taking diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol medication.
“It wasn’t good. It wasn’t pretty. I wasn’t proud of it,” he said. “As a result those are all gone.”
Giles took the 90-day Body by Vi challenge, which uses nutritional shakes and work-out regimens to get back into shape.
And because of his results, Giles is one of 10 semi-finalists, from more than 250,000 people from across North America.
He’s hoping that the recognition will help the whole city get fit.
“I hope to be an ambassador to help that happen.”
