{"id":9141,"date":"2026-05-01T10:26:17","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T09:26:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentsport-news\/?p=9141"},"modified":"2026-05-01T10:36:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T09:36:03","slug":"member-stories-alejandro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentsport-news\/member-stories-alejandro\/","title":{"rendered":"Member stories: Alejandro"},"content":{"rendered":"

My journey towards a healthier life began unexpectedly, not with a drastic decision, but with a simple invitation to the University of Kent’s VC’s Cup<\/strong><\/a>. Before this, my days were defined by long hours sitting in the office, a routine that had cemented a deeply sedentary lifestyle and together with the stressful life brought my weight to 145 kg. The VC’s Cup, with its focus on relaxed, inter-departmental competition, felt accessible in a way that traditional fitness never had. I started attending, and slowly, something shifted. I found myself genuinely enjoying the variety of sports, and I simply kept coming back.<\/p>\n

The VC’s Cup, with its focus on relaxed, inter-departmental competition, felt accessible in a way that traditional fitness never had.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That consistent participation was the catalyst for a profound internal change. The VC’s Cup sparked a realization that I could be active and, more importantly, that I could enjoy it. It showed me that progress didn’t have to be immediate, but it could be consistent. This newfound perspective was the start of my weight loss journey. The momentum continued as I joined the ALL Active programme<\/a><\/strong>, where I discovered a particular love for pickleball. These two university programs together fundamentally altered my outlook on fitness and empowered me to take control.<\/p>\n

\"Alejandro<\/a>
Alejandro (right) joined the Staff Varsity competition in 2025, participating in the pickleball competition<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Building on that foundation, I began incorporating my own exercise routines and committing to a proper diet plan. Fast-forward one year, and the results have been transformative:\u00a0I have lost 60 kg<\/b>. This isn’t just a physical change; it’s a complete change of life, and it’s a psychological change as well. Sports don’t have to be painful; you need to enjoy them to keep doing them.<\/p>\n

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Sports don\u2019t have to be painful; you need to enjoy them to keep doing them. <\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Where I once lacked the energy to socialise or enjoy the outdoors, I am now actively training to run my first half-marathon, and have a much more active social life, while my academic performance has even increased during the last year. I owe the beginning of this entire journey to the University’s Sports team. Their efforts in creating encouraging and accessible programs like the VC’s Cup and ALL Active programme provided the essential spark I needed to reclaim my health. For all of that, thank you.<\/p>\n

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We are thrilled to be able to support Alejandro’s journey and we wish him all the best for the future! If you want to be more active but you’re unsure where to start, we are here to help:<\/p>\n