I struggled my whole life with weight issues. When I was younger I got picked on a lot cause of how big I was.
HOW DID YOUR WEIGHT AFFECT ANY ASPECT(S) OF YOUR LIFE? I never wanted to go anywhere or do anything. I would hide inside my apartment from the world feeling sorry for myself and wishing I was happier.
WHAT WAS THE “TURNING POINT” THAT GOT YOU STARTED ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY? One day after work I came home and started doing what I always did which was live in self pity, then for no real reason I thought to myself you have to stop feeling sorry for yourself. Get up and go do something about this.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? I saw an add for a free week at a kickboxing gym, so after a day I finally went and got hooked right away .
HOW LONG AFTER YOU STARTED DID YOU BEGIN TO SEE RESULTS OF YOUR WEIGHT LOSS EFFORTS? when I first started at the kickboxing gym they did a fitness challenge. After just 6 weeks I lost 12 pounds and 6 inches off my waist.
WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART? My biggest challenges were time and lack of confidence.
DID YOU EVER WANT TO GIVE UP? WHAT KEPT YOU GOING? Weight Loss journeys are always hard and I am an emotional eater so when times got tough I always felt like giving up but never did.
DID YOU HIT ANY WEIGHT LOSS PLATEAUS? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM? I think plateaus are apart of this journey. I had to change how I ate and reset my bodies set point.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO LOSE MOST OF THE WEIGHT? over a year.
DID YOU HAVE ANY NON-SCALE VICTORIES? As a result of this I have started competing in mixed martial arts. Last April I had my first fight. Although I lost the fight in my mind I won so much more. For example, to have the confidence to even get into the cage and fight was something years ago I never thought I could do.
WHAT DOES YOUR DAILY DIET LOOK LIKE COMPARED TO WHEN YOU WERE HEAVIER? I eat 6 small meals a day. I cut out sugars, processed foods, breads, and dairy. I eat mostly proteins, and get my carbs from veggies .
HOW DOES YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY COMPARE TO WHEN YOU WERE HEAVIER? I train 6 days a week up to 3 hours a day. When I was heavy I could barely do an hour workout.
MY WEIGHT LOSS TIPS & TRICKS
- diet is everything
- never give up
- a gallon of water a day will keep the fat away.
- get moving even if it is just a walk around the block
- love yourself no matter what.