Name: Ben
Age: 19
Family Status: Single
Occupation: Student
Location: Waukesha, Wisconsin
Height: 6 feet 4 inches
Starting Weight: 356 pounds
Current Weight: 246 pounds
Current Waist Size: 36″
Ben’s Weight Loss Interview!
How much did you lose?
I lost 110 pounds and dropped 18 pants sizes!
When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I have been overweight my entire life and my weight significantly increased when I started high school as well.
What made you decide to lose weight?
I decided to lose weight to prove to others that I could do it! As the time passed and I started to lose the weight, I decided to continue losing weight to impress myself, not anyone else. I also decided to lose weight to help me gain confidence in looking for a boyfriend.
What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
The most important changes that I made were cutting out junk food and sodas, along with going to the gym more frequently.
What was the most challenging thing you had to deal with during your weight loss journey?
Maintaining my diet has been challenging, but over the past year or so it has turned from a burden into a lifestyle choice.
How long did it take you to start to see results?
After only a month, I started to see results and that motivated me to keep going!
How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
It has taken a little over 2 years, and although I have lost 110 pounds, I would still like to lose about 20-25 pounds more.
Did you have any issues with loose skin after losing the weight? If so, how did you deal with it?
I do have some issues with loose skin that I am trying to work on with different types of abdominal and hip exercises.
How long have you maintained your weight loss and what are the most important factors for keeping it off?
Being consistent with my diet and exercise program is super important. Cheat days are inevitable, but keeping on track is very important for long-term success.
What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
After losing the amount of weight I have lost so far, seeing the loose skin on my stomach pushes me every day to work even harder to lose more weight.
How has your life changed now that you have lost weight?
I have a lot more confidence when going out in public and I am now able to enjoy different activities that I hadn’t been able to enjoy before like ice skating, rock climbing and hiking.
Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
Don’t lose hope! If your weight stabilizes for a while, it’s just a natural occurrence. Patience is the key to losing weight, so stick with it and you will succeed!
How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
Reading the weight loss stories on ShapeFit.com has helped to keep me motivated throughout my weight loss journey and still does today!
Ben’s Weight Loss Tips!
Weight Loss Tip #1:
Drink plenty of water.
Weight Loss Tip #2:
Cardio is a MUST! I lost a lot of the weight due mainly to cardio.
Weight Loss Tip #3:
Eat small and healthy meals throughout the day.
Weight Loss Tip #4:
Find a friend to workout with.
Weight Loss Tip #5:
Don’t lose hope!
Ben’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!
What do you normally eat for breakfast?
I usually have eggs with yogurt and granola.
What do you normally eat for lunch?
A turkey burger and some kind of veggie.
What do you normally eat for dinner?
Some type of protein and lots of veggies!
What do you normally eat for snacks?
Apples and peanut butter.
What type of nutritional supplements do you take?
I take iron and calcium supplements.
Ben’s Weight Loss Workouts!
What do you do for weight training?
I do up to 15 different weight training exercises every day. Anything from bicep curls to weighted squats on a Bosu ball.
What do you do for cardio training?
My cardio usually consists of an hour of running or biking every day. Remember, it is also important to take recovery days.