Name: A.J.
Age: 22
Family Status: Single
Occupation: Studying Trainer, Musician
Location: Hartford, Connecticut
Height: 6’3″
Waist: 40″
Starting Weight: 380 pounds
Current Weight: 250 pounds
Pounds or Inches Lost: I lost 130 pounds!
A.J.’s Weight Loss Story!
When did you become unhappy with your weight?
Ever since I was a young child. When I was 9 years old I started putting on weight and I fell into a deep depression and lost interest in all of the activities I loved. At the time I was having a lot of physical problems and it was hard to walk long distances since my knees would hurt from carrying the extra weight.
What made you decide to lose weight?
I got out of a relationship which ended with a bad break up. I was humiliated by my ex-girlfriend when I was 19 and she obviously wasn’t attracted to me which made me feel bad about myself and it really didn’t help my depression at all. I had 2 really fit cousins and another one who just had a good metabolism. They were considered the best looking people in my family and I never got any looks from women so it made me think I wasn’t good enough. I was fed up and finally joined a gym and the rest is history.
What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
Diet is the most important. I eat 6 small meals a day.
What was most challenging about losing weight?
Staying committed especially when I would plateau for a week or two and even gain some weight back.
How long did it take you to start to see results?
Within 3 weeks I lost about 15 pounds and I noticed and felt the difference.
How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
All together to get to where I am now at 250 pounds, it took me 1.5 years but to lose the first hundred pounds it took about 11 months.
How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
I’m still losing.
How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
I have a lot more energy and the muscle definition I have now is beyond my wildest dreams. I’m stronger than ever and I’m benching 315 pounds for my max. I love to shop for clothes and I’ve been out on dates. I also love to run now. My drumming has improved and my all around stage presence has increased. I’m not camera shy and I feel a lot better about myself and now I’m studying to become a fitness trainer!
How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
Reading all the ShapeFit has been very encouraging to me.
A.J.’s Weight Loss Tips!
Weight loss tip #1:
High protein and low carb.
Weight loss tip #2:
Water and nothing but water!
Weight loss tip #3:
Cardio everyday with weights.
Weight loss tip #4:
Treat yourself to a cheat meal once a month or once every 2 months.
Weight loss tip #5:
Stay full and don’t let your body starve. Take food with you everywhere!
A.J.’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!
Breakfast:
4 egg whites (1 with yolk), oatmeal and bananas.
Lunch:
Grilled chicken salad with no dressing! Totally plain and dry.
Dinner:
Chicken breast (grilled or baked), half a cup of brown rice and steamed broccoli.
Snacks or Mini Meals:
Unsalted cashews, almonds, trail mix with fruit, can of tuna, bananas with peanut butter.
A.J.’s Weight Loss Workouts!
Weight Training:
I do a lot of strength training to build and sculpt my muscles and build strength. I do dumbbells, deadlift, bench press, squats, shoulder press, curls, shrugs. I do just about every weight lifting exercise and anaerobic activity there is.
Cardiovascular:
Boxing, kickboxing, treadmill, outside running, HIIT cardio (High Intensity Interval Training) and MMA conditioning classes at my gym. I also do a lot of these workouts on my own as well.
