Michael
Age: 37
Lost 120 pounds
Completed Program May 2007
I’d been on diet and exercise programs before and had been successful at losing weight, only to gain it back again. When I transitioned from an academic environment to working at a desk and eating cafeteria food, my weight shot up dramatically. I knew I had to make a lasting change.
The 20/20 Lifestyles program literally changed my life, and helped me regain my health.
I no longer have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. I suffered from sleep apnea in the past, but losing weight and improving my muscle tone has meant that I no longer need to use a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device when I sleep. The quality of my life has dramatically improved.
It all began on Halloween. After eating yet another cafeteria special and some Halloween candy, I walked into PRO Sports Club to begin the program. I soon transitioned to consuming lean protein and 20/20 shakes and, over the next 15 weeks, lost 100 pounds. That’s almost a pound a day!
The funny part is that I didn’t find it that challenging. I decided to just do it. I hadn’t counted calories before and didn’t have a good sense of what I was eating during the day. So when I began working with the dietitian, I became a lot more aware. I was working out twice a day, had tons of energy, and felt great. There was nothing to stop me. The weeks rolled by and the weight came off.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through 20/20 Lifestyles is that I’ll continue to develop better habits throughout the rest of my life. There is no ‘quick fix’ or fad diet that will create long-term permanent lifestyle changes. I’ve come to realize that without ongoing mindfulness and continued effort, no change is permanent.
It might sound a little odd, but working out is something that I’ve come to really enjoy. I’m learning to live with my body rather than in opposition to it. I recently participated in my first duathlon (and won second place!) and made the decision to invest in a kayak. Among my long-term fitness goals are participating in triathlons and marathons. This comes as a total surprise to those who knew me as the intellectual who scoffed at physical pursuits. I now appreciate the physical and mental challenge each new competition brings. Other new activities include dancing (salsa in particular), squash, and outdoor activities like hiking, boating, and biking.
I now incorporate more physical activity into my daily life as I embrace a full lifestyle from being in a better body. When I can, I bike to work instead of drive. Having fun with a friend usually involves some kind of physical activity. And I plan out my food instead of relying on the cafeteria’s special of the day. Thanks to 20/20 Lifestyles, I now feel I have the tools to make my desires a reality.
When I began the program, people would guess I was in my mid-30s. As I began losing weight, they began thinking I was younger and younger. When I’d go down to the Century Ballroom for salsa dancing, I’d be asked for I.D. In fact, when my mother came to visit me recently, she didn’t recognize me at first. I like to think that I have a spreading influence on people in my life, having catalyzed several people to have changed their own fitness levels.