Almost 50 lbs down, NSV, and a new outlook on things. *pics

I'm a 35 year old guy who had a problem with overeating and general laziness. (Why eat one double quarter pounder when two tastes so much better? While laying down...)

In Janurary 2011, I decided to weigh myself and stood in shock as I weighed in at 270 lbs. I knew all along I was creeping up in weight as my stamina to do basic tasks was essentially zero. I decided to do something about it, starting Atkins Diet and doing Insanity/P90X, and ended up dropping 80 lbs by July 2011. I went on vacation that summer feeling great, but also went on vacation from the diet and exercise. For me Atkins was not sustainable and you can only take so much of Tony Horton.

Over the next two years I yo-yo'd a good bit trying different diets and exercise plans. I'd gain 20 back and lose 10, gain 20 more and lose it. Etc... Eventually I gave up and let it happen. By May 2013. I was back at 250 lbs and knew that I needed to change my entire paradigm if I wanted to lose weight and keep it off.

I decided I needed a goal to work towards, and signed up for a couple Spartan Races. (if you are going to go for it, go hard!!) My first was a Spartan Sprint (3-5 mile w/ obstacles at a ski resort), which was in July and the second was a Super Spartan (8+ miles w/obstacles at a different ski resort) which would be in August.

I started training by doing C25K. And boy did I struggle. But eventually I got stronger and was able to run longer and further. I then started incorporating a bit of Strong Lifts 5x5. My diet was still spotty, but a lot better than fast food 2-3 times a day. On the day of the Spartan Sprint, I weighed in at 230.5 lbs. My goal was to just finish the race. And I did!! In 2 hours 21 minutes!!

I continued the C25K training and a little bit of strength training and come August last week I completed the Super Spartan in 6 hours 18 minutes. Again, my goal was just to finish it and set up a base time to beat for next year. For this race I weighed in at 226 lbs, but I had lost a lot of inches and gotten stronger.

As for my diet nowadays, I've cleaned it up dramatically. I tend to stay away from processed foods, and try to eat natural foods. Though on a budget I can't stay away from it entirely, but I do make the best choices possible and try to hit my macros.

I have one more Spartan Sprint I signed up for this year in September (Got it for free, so why not). Then I will be focusing more on heavy lifting and training for next years races. My goal is to post a better time in each race and do as few burpees as possible. I may even try to do a Beast!

I'm still a work in progress, but I've finally found something to work towards and new outlook on my health. I need more friends to fill up my wall, so if you are interested in a new buddy, send an invite or let me know. Thanks!

Before: Somewhere just below 270 lbs


Just after Spartan Sprint, 230 lbs


Current: Just after Super Spartan, 226 lbs