Name: Marquette
Age: 32
Family Status: Married
Occupation: Information Technology Specialist
Location: Fayetteville, North Carolina
Height: 5’7″
Starting Weight: 203 pounds
Current Weight: 163 pounds
Current Waist Size: 32″
Marquette’s Weight Loss Interview!
How much did you lose?
I lost a total of 40 pounds and 5.75 inches off my waist! I went from a 38 inch pants size down to a 32!
When did you become unhappy with your weight?
I started becoming unhappy with my weight when everyday tasks became difficult. I have never been overweight in my life and when I used to encourage people to become more active, they would often say, “You don’t know how it is to be overweight, so it’s easier said then done and I wish you could be in my shoes.” That’s when I decided to drop all my activities in the gym and become overweight so I could truly see how it was. I was definitely up for the challenge of becoming fit without taking time away from my family or my job to do so.
What made you decide to lose weight?
I knew it was time to lose weight when my body started hurting. I also started having a lot of mood swings. It got to a point where I became extremely sad and not even the most important people in my life could cheer me up. Walking up stairs, playing with my kids and dog, and any kind of physical activity became a struggle. My clothes started fitting tighter and my overall mood was a wreck. It became unfair to my family as well. My kids would complain about how daddy couldn’t play for long stretches of time and my wife said my snoring became very distracting. It was then when I realized the struggles an overweight person deals with on a daily basis. That’s when I knew I had to change something.
What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
The two most important changes were being consistent with both my diet and my workouts. There is an extreme level of discipline that is needed when a person decides to make a lifestyle change. With all the temptations and conveniences this world has to offer, it became extremely tough at times.
What was the most challenging thing you had to deal with during your weight loss journey?
The most challenging part of my weight lost journey was finding the time to workout without neglecting my family in the process. The only way I knew how to do that was by waking up every morning between the times of 2:00 A.M and 3:30 A.M to ensure I wouldn’t be taking time away from my wife and kids. By the time I got back home from the gym, everyone would still be asleep. So to them, daddy never went away.
How long did it take you to start to see results?
I started seeing changes after my first month of training. There were very subtle changes in the beginning, but the more consistent I stayed on course, the quicker I started to see the results.
How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
It took exactly 90 days 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 have had no issues with loose skin.
How long have you maintained your weight loss and what are the most important factors for keeping it off?
I’ve been able to maintain the weight loss ever since I got to my current weight which has only been about a month so far. The most important thing is not doing what you did to get there. You have to realize that this isn’t a fad, it is a lifestyle. Once you have that understanding, you have to be disciplined in the gym and in the kitchen.
What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
My motivation comes from my family and motivating others. When people start coming up and telling you that you inspired them to get to the gym, it makes you feel a certain way. It’s a great feeling to know that you are helping others with their weight struggles through your actions.
How has your life changed now that you have lost weight?
I feel 100 times better! My wife loves it, my kids love it, and I love it. Everyday tasks feel so much easier now. My confidence has gone up and I’m just so much happier!
Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
Devise a plan and stay focused on your goal. Your favorite foods and T.V. shows will always be there once you finish. Don’t give in to the temptations and make sure to hold yourself accountable. Don’t depend on someone else to care more about you than you care about yourself.
How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
Looking at the different weight loss success stories always helped fuel my workouts. Also, the different exercise guides along with the nutritional guides were very helpful. Before I did anything in the gym or in the kitchen, I did lots of research on ShapeFit.com. Once I wrote out my plan, I put it into action and the rest is history!
Marquette’s Weight Loss Tips!
Weight Loss Tip #1:
Know your current numbers and where you want to get to.
Weight Loss Tip #2:
Don’t have any excuses. Find the time to take care of your body. Working out for 45-60 minutes a day is all you need to transform your body.
Weight Loss Tip #3:
Eat clean and don’t starve yourself. Eating enough of the right foods will help fuel your workouts and keep you energized throughout the day.
Weight Loss Tip #4:
Remember there are no secret pills or potions to transforming your body fast. It comes from hard work and consistency.
Weight Loss Tip #5:
Find something that motivates you. It could be your family, an old picture of yourself, or a fitness model you aspire to look like. Just find some type of motivation.
Marquette’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!
What do you normally eat for breakfast?
I normally eat eggs, fish, broccoli, and oatmeal occasionally.
What do you normally eat for lunch?
Chicken and some complex carbs like brown rice or sweet potatoes and spinach.
What do you normally eat for dinner?
Lean meat, quinoa, broccoli, green beans, peas.
What do you normally eat for snacks?
Protein shakes, rice cakes with peanut butter, fruit.
What type of nutritional supplements do you take?
I take multivitamins and drink protein shakes.
Marquette’s Weight Loss Workouts!
What do you do for weight training?
I focus on training every muscle group throughout the week and change up my workout routine every month. Exercises such as bench press, curls, squats and deadlifts were all performed while transforming my body.
What do you do for cardio training?
For cardio, I like to run about 20 miles a week and I make sure to get in at least 15 miles a week minimum. I also participate in mud runs and took part in them throughout my weight loss journey.
1 Comment
Great work! I really enjoyed reading about your success. Keep up the great work!