Two Guys Lose Weight: Look at Def Leppard’s Phil Collen!
The following is a blog documenting two Los Angeles Times editors’ attempts to lose weight. It all began on Jan. 10.
“If you’re going to eat something that’s unhealthy, be aware of it, then go back to eating something healthy.”
Words from my trainer? Nope. A Nutrisystem nutritionist? Nope.
Although both would undoubtedly agree, that diet tip comes from Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen.
Anyone who grew up in the 1980s remembers that powerhouse rock band. I do. The moment I heard ‘Let it Go’ from their second album “High & Dry”; on Denver’s legendary rock station 106.7 KAZY, I bought the album. A few years later when I was on-air at KAZY, I slipped in a Leppard song nearly every shift.
The band is still going strong and Phil Collen even stronger. Los Angeles Times reporter Jeannine Stein talked to the guitarist recently and notes in her article: “Not every 53-year-old can boast a near-perfect physique, especially while maintaining a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle.”
No kidding. The guy looks awesome. In shape. Ripped.
Rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle? The music absolutely. The lifestyle? He redefines it. Having just read Slash’s autobiography, it doesn’t appear there’s much of that lifestyle going on. After all, Collen’s been sober for 23 years and a vegetarian for 27.
What does Collen do to get in shape for a tour?
“About 12 weeks before a tour I’ll start training, and the last eight weeks I’ll work out two to three times a day doing weights, jumping rope, hopping on the spin bike. The rest of the time I work out three to four times a week and try to eat OK,” he said.
What if there’s no gym around (something I’ll use for an excuse to be a slug)?
“We’ve been in places where there’s just a bar or a beam to hang from, but you can do push-ups or pull-ups or do bits on a chair. You can have the most fantastic workout if you use your imagination,” he said.
Check out Stein’s article here.
For me, I bounced back from my Tuesday pig-fest and went by the book Thursday (save a few thousand pieces of candy in Lisa’s office). We’ll see whether my dietary slips from this week will be ‘bringing on the heartbreak’ for me Saturday as I have my official weigh-in.
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