I used to weigh 188 lbs during early 2018s. At the time of writing (March, 2020), I weigh 143 lbs. In this post, I will walk you through my journey of losing 44+ lbs.
In anticipation of a new year; I joined LA fitness in December,2017. I made a new year resolution that I would go to gym everyday and lose weight. For next few weeks I did go to gym and used cardio machines i.e. treadmill, cycle & rowing machine. Because of this new habit, I did lose 2–3 lbs within few weeks. As I was doing cardio 3 times a week; I thought that I can eat whatever I want. Instead of losing weight, I started to gain weight. I was disappointed and stopped going to gym completely.
Getting back
I listen to lots of motivational videos and I started to notice that everyone of them were talking about how to live healthy and well. In one of the motivation vide by Jim Rohn talks about buying a book on health and nutrition. I decided to follow his advise and started searching for a good book on health and nutrition. I realized that this was not an easy task. But after spending some time online; I bought “Bigger, leaner & stronger (B.L.S.)”. I finished it within few weeks. I was surprised by the information. The author actually read bunch of research papers and compiled them into a book that was easy to understand. I now had a blueprint on how to get lean.
There are 2 important things when it comes to living healthy:
- What you eat & drink? — Your output would be proportional to your input. If you eat good and healthy food; you will be more efficient.
- Incorporate a workout routine — If you want to look like your favorite actor/actress then you need to workout like them.
Challenges
I had hard time in both areas. I was eating candies, chocolates, ice-creams, cheese-cakes etc all the time. On top of it, I would drink beer almost every weekend.
B.L.S. had 3 day and 5 day workout plan. I decided to follow 5 day workout plan. It took me about 1 month to go through 5 workouts. I did not know how to do a deadlift; so I would see a video on it and then I would try to do it. But the guy/girl next to me is deadlifting with 45 lbs on both sides of barbell and I did not even put any weight on it. I used to feel ashamed about it.
Change
B.L.S. recommends logging what you eat. I bought a notepad and before going to sleep I would write down what I ate throughout the day. I had sweet tooth. I would not resist chocolates, candies, sweets etc. When I started writing down what I these items, I felt bad. Also, instead of feeling ashamed; I started telling myself that “I made mistakes in my past; but now I am rectifying it. I don’t care if I look like a fool; lifting a barbell without any weight but I have a better plan now and I will look sexy soon.”
Eventually, I got to the point that when someone offered me a chocolate; my mind told me in the background that “If you eat this then it would go into your notebook and you would feel bad afterwards. So, don’t eat it”. One victory at a time. I started saying no to chocolates, cola and other sweet items.
There was still a small problem. On the weekend, whenever I felt hungry; I would open a small potato chip and then eat a chocolage. I used to by 50 small packs of potato chips from costco, a big box of chocolates etc. So I had plenty of potato chips and chocolates at my home. I needed to do something bold, I needed to cleanup my kitchen. I decided to get rid of potato chips and chocolates. I gathered potato chips & chocolates; and placed them in my office’s kitchen. I decided that I would never store chips/chocolates at my home.
Results
I bought a weighing machine and measure tape. I started to weigh and measure myself every weekend. I was losing 1 or 2 lbs every month on regular basis. I ate healthy food and worked out 5 days a week (I take 1 week off every 2 months); and results are fantasic. Take a look at my measurements:
I have decided that I would keep on eating healthy food and working out 5 days a week. I am now forcing myself to drink less. I have not completely gave up on drinking. I have moderated it a lot. I have came long way from 188lbs and there is a lot I want to do. For now, I am focusing getting rid of the fat around waistline. So, here is my story on losing weight and getting healthy. Feel free to reach-out to me on instagram @j_rathod1.