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I’m honored to share Dylan’s weight loss success story with you. Read on to discover how he lost 116 pounds by shunning soda and fast food after years of turning to food for emotional comfort.
Dylan’s Weight Loss Journey
Tell Us A Little Bit About Your Weight Struggle
I was always a heavier kid throughout my childhood and I feel that after my father’s untimely death when I was 10 years old, my weight began to consistently balloon up and up and up until finally culminating at the end of my freshman year when I stepped on the scale for my PE class’ end of the year assessment. When I stepped on the scale, the number staring back at me was unlike any I ever dreamed of seeing; 314.8 lbs.
I never felt I had a problem with my weight despite being teased consistently by my classmates through elementary, middle and the first year of high school. I feel I always masked any of the insults and jeers I would get with my own lashing out against others, usually with insults but that was the only way I knew how to cope with the pain I truly felt. That and food. Food never judged me and it was easy to get, thus making my weight spiral more and more.
What Was Your Wake-Up Call Or “A-Ha Moment” That Caused You To Really Commit Yourself To Succeeding?
When I did the end of the year fitness assessment in my PE class, I purposely went last in line so that none of the other kids could see my weight but lo and behold, our teacher made us all line up next to each other during each student’s weigh-in so when I myself saw that 314.8 lb. number, every other student also saw it. No laughs, no remarks. Just a stunned silence at how out of control my weight had become.
I knew from that point on I would not have any part of where my weight had gotten to, so I began to make gradual changes that eventually led me to where I am today.
How Have Your Eating Habits Changed Since Beginning Your Journey? What Did You Eat Before And What Are You Eating Now?
The very first thing I did was cut out soda. I used to drink anywhere from 4-8 cans of soda a day and the last time I ever had any soda was June 15, 2008. I made a strict vow to never have a soda again.
I used to eat any sort of fast food you could think of. McDonald’s, Burger King, Carl’s Jr., Little Caesar’s etc. and I’ve since sworn off all of those foods and I soon after began eating grilled chicken, vegetables, apples, eggs and all whole foods that I prepared myself. That was the biggest change I made in my entire weight loss journey, responsible for 70 pounds of my 116 pound weight loss.
What Is The Difference In Your Fitness Before You Started And Now?
I can actually run now! As a freshman in PE, I always despised doing any sort of physical activity, sports or not. Now, I feel much more comfortable participating in sports than ever before.
I’m substantially stronger than I was, even when I first made an attempt to lift weights. And intrinsically, my resting heart rate has decreased exponentially and I am no longer at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc.
What Has Been The Biggest Change/Payoff For You So Far?
The biggest change has been learning to become more comfortable in my own skin. There are still days where I feel like the freshman Dylan who weighed 314 lbs., but I can look back at those photos and compare them to now and I clearly see how far I’ve come. That has boosted my confidence immensely and helped me in so many aspects of my life that I could’ve never imagined.
How Much Weight Have You Lost? How Long Did It Take You To Lose It?
I’ve lost 100 lbs in six months but in total, I lost 116 lbs. Going from 314.8 down to 198 pounds.
Some Advice and/or Words of Wisdom I’d Like To Share
Fitness is a deeply personal thing and everyone’s reason for starting is their own reason that they should hold very closely. Even on the hardest of days where the gym seems like it’s the largest mountain to climb or that piece of chicken breast looks like your enemy, they’re all investment tools that contribute to a better you.
It’s possible to overcome whatever hurdles you have. It’s not an overnight thing, it’s a muscle that must consistently be worked and it’s entirely possible to strengthen it.
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