Weight Loss Success Stories - Curtis Lost 120 Pounds

First Name: Curtis
Age: 27
Family Status: Common law
Occupation: Ironworker local 720
Hometown: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
Pounds or Inches Lost: Lost 120 pounds total. Went from 317 to 197 initially, then put on 20 pounds of lean mass with weight training following the weight loss.
Height: 6 feet
Waist: 33
Starting Weight: 317 pounds
Current Weight: 217 pounds

Curtis's Weight Loss Story!

When did you become unhappy with your weight?

I've always been unhappy. I guess the better question is when did I decide to do something? Jan 1, 2007.

What made you decide to lose weight?

Getting up one morning and looking in the mirror, I realized that if I can't stand to even look at myself, why would anyone else?

What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?

My eating habits (what, when and how much I ate). My activity levels (essentially were ZERO). I sat in front of the computer all day and sat at work too. I had no output of energy what-so-ever!!

What was most challenging about losing weight?

Having the mental dedication to say NO when I wanted something unhealthy to eat, and putting on my gym gear and forcing myself to run!!

How long did it take you to start to see results?

Scale-wise was pretty soon. I lost a steady 3-4 pounds a week, albeit I did hit a few plateaus but I stuck with it and burned past them. I noticed after about 2 months visually that I was changing and my clothes were loose.

How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?

I started January 3rd, 2007 at 317 pounds and weighed 197 pounds at about December 20th, 2007. So about a year. It took another 6 months to put on about 20 pounds of lean mass without gaining much fat.

How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?

Well it's currently December 16th, 2008, so I've maintained a year but I'm not done yet. I still have about 20 pounds to get off, and some loose skin to take care of :( lol

How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?

This is so hard to put in words. Confidence... YES! I don't sweat just from sitting around. I feel relaxed and I don't tug at my clothes. I can go into the store and put on a large shirt and say, well if it shrinks it will be a good fit, instead of buying a XXL and saying I better not shrink this or it won't fit (haha)! I can and want to be active. I can be preachy sometimes about health (lol) but I have changed so much!

How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?

I never really found ShapeFit until now. I just hope to post my weight loss success story and inspire others who visit here.

Curtis's Weight Loss Tips!

Weight loss tip #1:

It's hard to get that full feeling, without eating WAY too much. Drink water and fill your stomach with protein. I did it with 24 egg whites a day.

Weight loss tip #2:

Eat 6-7 small meals a day consisting of complex carbs, lean protein and healthy fats.

Weight loss tip #3:

Cardio! It hurts at first. I ran with blisters on my feet! Get that heart pumping! I went from a base heart rate of 87 to about 57.

Weight loss tip #4:

Strength training. Build that muscle. Muscle increases your metabolism and burns fat. Plus, that's what you want anyway, a lean muscular body.

Weight loss tip #5:

Set realistic goals. Not of 100 pounds lost, but get down that first 20 pounds then reassess. Always learn and read about nutrition. The more you know, the more you will be willing to pass on that chocolate bar.

Curtis's Weight Loss Eating Plan!

Breakfast:

1 cup raisin bran or oatmeal and a low carb protein shake. 16oz water.

Lunch:

1 can of tuna with mustard on 2 slices 100% whole wheat bread. Fresh celery, snow peas, baby carrots. Water.

Dinner:

Skinless, boneless chicken breast, brown rice, corn. Water.

Snacks or Mini Meals:

Protein shake. Protein bar. Apples, oranges, yogurt, granola, natural almonds. Kashi granola bars.

Curtis's Weight Loss Workouts!

Weight Training:

My 3 day split is:

1) Chest, biceps, Abs *1 day rest

2) Legs, triceps *1 day rest

3) Back, shoulders Abs *2 days rest

Cardiovascular:

Running does it for me. I started off on the treadmill not being able to run for 30 seconds. I kept building on that until I could run for an hour and eventually would crank up the incline for interval intensity training. I started at 5mph with 0 incline with a heart rate of 189 when I was 317 pounds. Now I run for an hour at 0 incline with a heart rate of about 147 and increase the incline to get my heart rate up.

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