IT WAS heartbreak that first drove fitness instructor, Shane Thomas, to reassess his diet and change his life. 

After splitting up with his girlfriend of six years, living on junk food and avoiding exercise, he realised enough was enough. 

Determined to change his life, he gave up his diet of three takeaways a day and began to focus on his fitness.

Now, five years after he began his own weightloss journey, he is hoping to do the same for others, by offering his personal training services in his private gym. 

Within weeks of daily training, Shane had lost two stone and he went on to lose six stone in total, however, in hindsight, he says that he lost too much weight.

“I was going to the gym most days, but I wouldn’t say that is advisable for people who are looking to lose weight. People will burn out if they train like I did,” he said.

Shane was inspired by the New Forest when he named his business Forestfit, he loves every aspect of it and regularly trains there – he even proposed to his girlfriend in the woodland area.

Initially, when Shane decided to become a personal trainer, he would take his clients to the New Forest with basic weights and train them there. 

Shane’s gym opened on New Year’s Day and each client has the whole facility to work in – as well as Shane’s undivided attention. 

Each fitness and diet plan will be tailored to the individual’s needs after a free initial consultation.

“There will be no more excuses, it is just me and the client.

“We will be purely focused on getting them the best possible outcome,” said Shane, who at his heaviest weighed 16 stone.

“I have been very overweight and underweight, whereas lots of personal trainers have always been fit,” he said.

“Some of my clients might have a real craving, for junk food or takeaways. I know how to get over that so we have shared experience.”

“I have been in a worse position then most and I have a non-judgemental policy.” 

As well as developing his personal training business, Shane is working towards the goal of competing in a body building competition.

“I think to begin with it is harder to overcome the mental challenges than the physical difficulties,” said the trainer who gave up his job at a music magazine to help others improve their fitness. 

“I will work round the clock to get my clients to their goals. 

“The gym is available at any time, to help facilitate peoples schedules,” he said.

“The private facility is exclusively for one-to-one training, meaning there will be no overcrowding, no members to be conscious of and no interruptions.”

Shane doesn’t have any regrets about his former lifestyle and still enjoys the odd Kentucky Fried Chicken or cake.

“I have a theory that you should be fat as a kid and read the Hobbit and get a personality before you get fit,” he said.

For more information, visit Forestfit.net.