Slimming World — January-February 2018

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s I started paddling the kayak away

from the shore, it felt so much easier

than I’d expected. And, even though

my fit younger brother, Hayden, was

sitting behind me and paddling in sync,

I knew he wasn’t the one doing the lion’s share of

the work. Gliding across the lake, I thought back

to just 18 months ago, when I’d been sure that my

athletic past was well and truly behind me.

My love of water sports had started when I got

into swimming as a child. Soon, I was taking part

in all sorts of competitions – the thrill I’d get at the

end of a race was like nothing else. Then, when

I was 16, I met my girlfriend, Amy, and she joined in

with my mum, dad and brother as they all cheered

me on from the poolside.

Two years later, I went to university to study

outdoor education and sports science, and I joined

every water-sports club going: water polo, surfing,

kayaking... You name it, I was up for it. That and my

studies kept me busy in the daytime, then most

nights I’d be out drinking with my mates. And as well

as having a kebab on the way home, the next day I’d

After gaining weight at uni, Matt Boyce felt sure his days on the

water were over. Now st ½lbs down, he’s swimming, surfing,

kayaking...and ready for anything!

battle my bad head with more stodgy food. By the

end of my first term, I’d put on 2st.

I wasn’t about to change my student diet, so

I ramped up the sport a little. At first that helped

me lose a couple of pounds, then a few beery nights

later, the weight was back. My size carried on

creeping up and, as I got bigger, I started to feel less

energetic. At the start of the second year, I didn’t sign

up to any water-sports clubs at all.

The only activity I still did from time to time was

surfing. Once, I’d found it easy to stay balanced on

the board – now it was becoming a struggle. And

so was getting into a wetsuit. After I’d finished uni,

Amy and I went travelling to India and Sri Lanka.

We visited some incredible places – it was the

adventure of a lifetime! Even though I felt a little

self-conscious in my shorts...

When we got home, we moved in together and

settled into a happy routine. I started my first full-time

job, working on the sales team of an insurance firm.

The office was always full of unhealthy snacks,

especially on ‘Food Friday’ (which was every Friday!),

when my colleagues would bring in cakes. Amy was

Matt’s making

waves

SLIMMING WORLD 

turnaround twenties

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