Conor’s Weight Loss Stats!
- Name: Conor
- Age: 20
- Family Status: Single
- Occupation: Student
- Location: Cork, Ireland
- Height: 6’0″
- Starting Weight: 330 pounds
- Current Weight: 170 pounds
- Current Waist Size: 32″
Conor’s Weight Loss Interview!
How much did you lose?
I lost 160 pounds and dropped 12 inches off my waist (44″ to 32″)! I also went from a size XXL to a medium.
When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I’ve always been a large person, but my parents always said that I would grow into it so I never worried about the extra weight. My diet consisted of drive-thru fast food followed by deserts and it was all washed down with some kind of sugary soda drink. My family members are all thin and luckily for them they can eat all the food they want without putting on weight. Unlike them, I couldn’t eat like that and it took me 18 years to realize it. I used to eat bowls upon bowls of cereal while also munching on cookies or I would have some hot dogs and milk. My diet was truly shocking!
What made you decide to lose weight?
My journey began in December of 2015. I decided to weigh myself one day when I noticed my picture on Facebook and realized that I was becoming dangerously fat. When I weighed myself, I was shocked to realize that I was 330 pounds! While health was a concern, there was also the fact that I was only 18 years old and I couldn’t go anywhere without breaking out into a sweat.
What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
I had tried many diets in the past, but failed with 99% of them. I began my latest diet during winter as opposed to the summer months like I did with the others. I don’t know if that was significant, but I was certainly motivated. I began by just watching YouTube videos (ObeseToBeast, FatMeetsFire) which I still watch today. They have helped me more than they’ll ever know. From watching these videos and from hours each day searching and reading about nutrition and weight loss, I finally began creating healthy habits. I would wake up and ride my stationary bike for just 10 minutes when first starting out and then I gradually increased the time spent on the bike each week. As the days past and the pounds dropped off, I became more and more obsessed with weight loss and fitness. I began going to the gym with my dad in the mornings and started lifting weights. At this stage, I was losing about 5 pounds a week, but I was doing it in a way I would not recommend (eating only 1,200 calories a day). From December to May, I lost about 100 pounds. I continued this daily regimen, but I finally began counting calories on everything I ate and drank using an app called MyFitnessPal which I began using around March. I currently have a 447 day streak of keeping track of my nutrition!
What was the most challenging thing you had to deal with during your weight loss journey?
Maintaining my workouts was tough! There’s been plenty of days where I just had to pull motivation from nowhere to go out and hit the gym. There’s also the fact that I couldn’t go to fast food places with my friends because I would just sit there with no food which is very awkward when everyone is ordering.
How long did it take you to start to see results?
Results were almost instant on the scale. It took about 2 months before I any noticed any visible signs. Now, I receive compliments every day!
How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
It took me about 18 months to reach my current weight.
Did you have any issues with loose skin after losing the weight? If so, how did you deal with it?
I’m in that small minority of people who have lost 150+ pounds that don’t have any loose skin, which is extremely fortunate for me. The one thing that is unfortunate, is that I do have stretch marks, but to be honest, they don’t concern me in the slightest.
How long have you maintained your weight loss and what are the most important factors for keeping it off?
I had maintained a weight of 190 pounds for 4 months, but now I’m maintaining my weight at 170 pounds. I have done this through continuing to eat healthy and track my meals. I do allow myself a cheat meal once a week which I don’t track.
What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
Going to the gym and eating healthy is just a regular routine to me at this stage. People ask me for help on a daily basis so that all helps to keep me motivated.
How has your life changed now that you have lost weight?
My life has changed in amazing ways! I’m more confident and I’m able to do things I never could before losing the extra weight (pull-ups, running, etc). I don’t have to worry about sitting in a chair and having it break! I’m generally happier in my everyday life.
Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
Keep at it! No matter how slowly you are progressing just remember that you are progressing. Don’t give in because you’ll only regret it!
How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
Reading ShapeFit’s weight loss stories provided me with information on weight loss and motivation.
Conor’s Weight Loss Tips!
Weight Loss Tip #1:
Drink tons of water.
Weight Loss Tip #2:
Take progress pictures.
Weight Loss Tip #3:
Talk to your friends and family about fitness and weight loss.
Weight Loss Tip #4:
Track your food.
Weight Loss Tip #5:
Enjoy what you eat.
Conor’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!
What do you normally eat for breakfast?
Kavanagh’s oats, 2 rice cakes (plain), cinnamon and coffee. The total calories for this meal is 300. I cook the oats and mix in some cinnamon then leave it in the fridge overnight and heat it up in the morning.
What do you normally eat for lunch?
Egg whites with 3 large eggs, vegetable stir fry, spinach (300 calories). I use 4 eggs (2 whole, 2 whites) mix them into a jug and I cook some stir fried veggies and then pour the eggs over it to make an omelette. I use the spinach as a side dish along with some ketchup (try adding paprika spice on the omelette). I also like to include 2 rice cakes to this meal to add a bit of crunch to it.
What do you normally eat for dinner?
Turkey mince or 2 chicken breasts, roasted sweet potato (1.5 cups) with ketchup, vegetable stir fry (total meal is 600 calories). I cook the turkey mince in a wok using coconut oil, then I mix the stir fried veggies and spices with it while the sweet potato is cooking in the oven.
What do you normally eat for snacks?
Apple, rice cakes, tuna, banana (average snack is 200-250 calories).
What type of nutritional supplements do you take?
Fish oil, protein powder when bulking, canderel (sweetener for coffee), spices (cajun, paprika, chili). I cook everything in coconut oil.
Conor’s Weight Loss Workouts!
What do you do for weight training?
My training split for weight lifting is below. I also like to do bodyweight workouts (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups):
- Monday: Shoulders and back
- Wednesday: Chest and arms
- Friday: Back and traps
- Sunday: Legs
What do you do for cardio training?
I do the treadmill for 20-30 minutes, 3 days a week (incline on level 9 and speed is set to 10).
