Bristol man sends brother to 'fat camp'
A Bristol man whose broken heart caused him to pile on the pounds has been given a chance to lose weight – by his big brother.
Matt Alexander, 35, who runs The Brunel Wine Bar, on The Mall, Clifton, is paying to send his younger brother, Louis, on a week-long military boot camp, run by Bristol company Prestige.
It is the first time the company, which has held several successful camps for women, is allowing men to take part and the opportunity has helped give Louis a much-needed wake-up call.
The 24-year-old, who lives in Hengrove, used to work-out regularly but started piling on weight 18 months ago when his fiancee called off their wedding two weeks before the big day.
Louis, who works for school inspector Ofsted, said: "It wasn't a good time, I started going out more, drinking heavily on benders and my weight just grew and grew.
"I've always been quite big, at my heaviest I was probably about 23 stone."
But help was at hand when Iain Reitze, director of Clifton-based Prestige, became a regular in the pub.
"We found out about the boot camp through Iain when he told us about the sorts of things he was doing.It sounded really interesting but I thought it was just for girls," Louis said.
"Then he said they were doing a mixed one and my brother said he would pay if I wanted to go."
Matt said: "He'd been in the doldrums since the relationship ended and I didn't see how he was going to get out it. He was drinking every day and smoking and he's only young.
"He really needed a bit of focus, when we talked about it he was behind it 100 per cent – it was as if he was yearning for a challenge."
The incentive of the boot camp, which uses military-style training along with a calorie-controlled diet, has already given Louis a boost to stop drinking and smoking and he has started running a few miles every other night.
He said: "I've known I was going to go on the camp for about five or six weeks and the motivation has already helped me loose a few stone.
"It's going to be really tough but I'm excited and a little bit nervous. Its also an excuse for me to try some things I've always wanted to do like abseiling."
But the challenge does not end there and Louis has also decided to put his pain to good use, asking people to sponsor him to complete the boot camp.
He added: "I'm raising funds for Help for Heroes and, thanks to generous friends and colleagues, I've already raised more than £1,500."
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by PurpleApe, Bristol
Thursday, June 25 2009, 9:56AM
“I think it is a real shame that some people making comments on here seem to have missed the point of what Louis is doing. Okay, so it may be some publicity for some local businesses, but is that really so bad? It happens all the time in local and national press.
More importantly, as for newsworthy, of course it is. More importantly than all the above and the comments not supporting Louis, I think it is important to remember what he is doing this for. Okay, yes, he is doing something for himself, but also raising a commendable sum of sum for Help the Heroes. While some people on here are being snide or unsupportive, the outcome of the effort Louis puts in to this coming week will help families who have suffered as a result of war or conflict. This outweighs anything else, as anyone who has suffered from this will appreciate.
Please get some perspective.”
by Anon, Clifton
Thursday, June 25 2009, 8:13AM
“This really is not the place to air people's dirty laundry. It's irrelevant and incredibly childish.
Grow up and focus on the story here. If you have issues with any of the people involved in this, the EP website is really not the place to do it.”
by Anon, Bristol
Thursday, June 25 2009, 7:38AM
“RUTHY Knowle.. Why the attack against Teresa? At least Teresa is there for her kids and grandchild. Knowle..
Thats where all the best mothers live.. At last Teresa works to support her kids. Unlike the Knowle West mothers who only have kids to get their council houses.. Ruff Ruff.”
by RUTHY, Knowle
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 11:55PM
“Teresa/Angeldust. I don;t think so. Mother Teresa I don't think so. Abandoning children - I do think so. Think on and think back to your past !!
Family member.”
by Steph, Clifton
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 11:12PM
“Teresa, I'm assuming you're "angeldust90"?! I never at any point said you couldn't voice your opinion. I just think opinions are a little more credible when people don't hide behind false names, especially when you claim to be so close to those involved. Comments like "what a joke" make you seem petty and rude, hence my disagreement with your previous posts.
And I don't read every comment posted every day. I just happen to read local news on the EP website. I can't help it if Pogo's daft comments are at the bottom of every story I read.
Louis motivation for this is his business. The fact that he's doing this is what's important and it's a shame this seems to have turned into a discussion about his past relationship that is noone else's business, whoever you are.”
by Matt, Clifton
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 10:34PM
“Just wanted to straighten a few things out here. First of all the whole idea came about when I met Ian in our bar which is why the brunel is a key point, related to the story; secondly I had no initial intention to get this publicised, I was aproached by the e.p. to follow the story as ian had had previous contact with them. I believe that the money that Louis has raised for this fantastic cause totally overshadows any petty jealous comments on this site.... BTW - Moobs Rule!!x”
by teresa, Bristol
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 10:14PM
“Ok.....This is the last comment I'm posting on this subject.....Freya, let's get this straight, Sophie called the wedding off, Louis did not brake up with her. They were the only two people in the relationship and what went on only they will truly know. I know it was a difficult time for both of them but what would you and other people prefer....that they went ahead with the wedding only to end it in the future. I am not defending my Daughter as I feel for both parties but also realise that you, as Louis friend will defend him. Once again, I wish Louis all the best at this boot camp and indeed for his future. All my gripe was the way that this article was portrayed. As I have said, this is my final post on this subject......GOOD LUCK LOUIS......”
by teresa, Bristol
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 10:11PM
“Ok.....This is the last comment I'm posting on this subject.....Freya, let's get this straight, Sophie called the wedding off, Louis did not brake up with her. They were the only two people in the relationship and what went on only they will truly know. I know it was a difficult time for both of them but what would you and other people prefer....that they went ahead with the wedding only to end it in the future. I am not defending my Daughter as I feel for both parties but also realise that you, as Louis friend will defend him. Once again, I wish Louis all the best at this boot camp and indeed for his future. All my gripe was the way that this article was portrayed. As I have said, this is my final post on this subject......GOOD LUCK LOUIS......”
by Freya, Bristol
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 7:27PM
“Anyone else thinking this is so blown over the top. People need to get back to the point of Lou raising money for charity. By the way to everybody reading, thought you all might to know teresa is the mother of the woman that Lou broke up with so she's bound to defend her daughter (it's natural and I get that.)”
by teresa, Bristol
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 4:46PM
“Thought I would use my real name to satisfy SOPHIE”