Fitness trainer gains and loses 70 pounds in 1 year -- on purpose

I thought this was a great article for a number of reasons. First of all that someone was capable of pulling this off in 6 months (though I'm sure he still had a lot of muscle built up to help with that) and secondly because it was a real eye opening experience for him.

The fitness trainer's journey had come to an end after successfully losing more than 70 pounds -- six months after he purposely gained the same amount. "Like it never happened," host George Stephanopoulos said.

"I was convinced people used genetics or similar excuses as a crutch," Manning writes in his new book, "Fit2Fat2Fit." "You either wanted to be healthy or you didn't." Defining the new male body ideal That point of view wasn't helping Manning help his clients. When he failed yet again to push someone over to the light side, he knew something was wrong. In order to better understand the struggles his clients were facing, he had to face them himself. He gave up the gym and started consuming junk food, fast food and soda. In just six months, he went from 193 pounds with a 34-inch waist to 265 pounds with a 48-inch waist.

Apparently (and not to my surprise) the weight gain affected him rather dramatically. He learned that there was a definite emotional side of being overweight, and that had to addressed along with meal planning, diet and exercise.

I've gotten a little buxom in the last few months, and this article motivated me to start exercising again. Getting dangerously close to a new belt hole over here. I've been worried I'm going to take off my seatbelt and get it caught on the ever expanding roll! Looks like I have a five pack now, do not want!

Link

Good on him, many people say that this kind of thing is impossible, but you can do it if you want to.

I did the Body For Life Challenge years ago, and made huge changes to my body in just 12 weeeks. First month i did use supplements, but after that i just ate properly and exercised ever day.

Weights three times a week, cardio every day for 20 minutes (High Intensity Interval Training), and 5 or 6 small meals throughout the day. Lots of water too. That was it though.

Do that for 3 months and you WILL change your body shape. Lots will say that a tan and a shave does wonders in a photo, and it's true, it does, but you still need to put the work in to do what that guy did.

It's actualy quite fun doing it, almost like an art form, sculpting your body the way you want to.

CX.

reply to post by CX


Yeah I'm not too worried about it at the moment, shouldn't take me long at all. Just really don't want it to get to the point where it becomes difficult to drop weight.

I have An ability kind of like this where i can control my weight and gains and lose whenever I want i always knew this was possible its actually no big deal if u really think about it

This man's blog was one of my inspirations to finally take control of what my body was doing. While my weight loss is much more subtle than his, I'm still making leaps and bounds compared to my former self.

I think his underlying muscle mass had something to do with his ability to shed the fat so quickly (that, coupled with the fact that he IS a personal trainer), but 70+ lbs. in 6 months is something amazing.

Thanks for the post Domo!




-TS

that is great ! really there are no excuses after seeing this dude , fit to fat to fit wow lol . What a tubby in the middle picture ! if you seen him on the streets , you would be like man look at that blimp! Not knowing in just 6 months he is back to buff ... the genetic excuse no more for me lol. Great story!

Just to add.....the fact that he's a fitness trainer can help, but i've also seen it first hand not make a blind bit of difference.

I trained as a Personal Trainer and Sports Therapist, yet i love my crap food and my weight goes up and down like a yo-yo.

Doesn't matter if you're a trainer or an office worker, consistancy is the key. Do your exercise without fail, if you can fit an hour of TV into your day, you can fit an hours exercise.

Be strict with your food, but be realistic. If it's not enjoyable, you won't stick to it. That said, to lose that much in 6 months, the guy will have been strict with his diet. You get out what you put in.

Skip bread and late meals, that will see your belly flatten quickly just on it's own.

CX.

reply to post by truthseeker1984


I tend to agree. Cool you've heard of him and that it was inspiring for you too. I do think having that muscle underneath probably helped but still. How many calories does 1lbs. of muscle burn at rest again? I think it's substantial.

Originally posted by Domo1
reply to post by truthseeker1984

 

How many calories does 1lbs. of muscle burn at rest again? I think it's substantial.

To be honest, i can't remember the facts on that one exactly, did my training back in 96, however all that people need to know is that muscle takes up less space than fat (it's more dense), and as you correctly say, it will burn calories just by being there. Muscle needs feeding, and it will feed even when you are resting.

Some people don't like the weights, but i like the fact that it will shape you. If you're a 20 stone pear and you lose 8 stone, you'll look good, but you'll be a 12 stone pear.

Lose 8 stone whist doing weights as well, you'll look pretty damn good.

As Nike said, "Just Do It". Doesn't matter what, just do something, do it often, and you'll see changes.

CX.

This thread is very inspiring, sometime I feel trapped inside a fat ass' body with no way out, this last year I have lost 50+ lbs and the pain it took to do so was incredible. I learned that my own perception was the wall I needed to conquer and as long as I do, anything is possible for me. Im 5'11 200 lbs, but I can still run 5 miles 5 days a week, my much skinnier friends are shocked when Im able to run and complete their so-called training drills with them. I still Have a good 30 lbs to lose but Im well on my way. Alcohol was my kryptonite, I love beer and leaving it behind me was the most difficult thing. But I had to do it, I was unhappy fat un-motivated waste of mass. The EAT stop EAT program really worked wonders for me too. Now I find myself feeling better and encouraging others the value of good health. Getting in shape actually removed that "fog" in my mind. I felt released to be free for the first time mentally.

I'm sorry, but this doesn't prove much.

One could conclude that this merely shows someone with excellent genetics can still get fat from consuming excessive calories from junk food while remaining sedentary.

Some people truly can't lose weight so quickly. Innate hormonal propensities plays a key roll. I bet this guys testosterone levels are anything but low.

Originally posted by Domo1
reply to post by truthseeker1984

 

I tend to agree. Cool you've heard of him and that it was inspiring for you too. I do think having that muscle underneath probably helped but still. How many calories does 1lbs. of muscle burn at rest again? I think it's substantial.

A pound of muscle requires 50 daily kcal to maintain itself. A pound of blubber requires one kcal. Diet does play a part, in the sense that a total lack of protein for a prolonged period of time will cause muscle to deteriorate. Muscle's dense caloric value also causes it to be the first resource which is tapped when someone suffers starvation. Very delicate flower, that muscle stuff, trying to be all tough.

I have never been a believer in these before and after images.

Cranioscopical differences are obviously appearent.

Originally posted by Domo1
reply to post by truthseeker1984

 

I tend to agree. Cool you've heard of him and that it was inspiring for you too. I do think having that muscle underneath probably helped but still. How many calories does 1lbs. of muscle burn at rest again? I think it's substantial.

No, it has not significant effect.

Losing weight without muscles is actually harder. You dont have to worry about actually losing "muscle" when you dont have it. Even though that trainer lost quite a bit of muscle,, he retained a lot of it,,, meaning he had to be careful what kind of cardio he did and what type of diet he went on. He probably didnt do long hours of cardio,, but instead something like HIIT. Also he must have been eating a TON of proteins and fats and staying low on the carbs,,, otherwise all he would have lost of that muscle. Anyone into bodybuilding knows this.

When you are not worried about losing muscle (just fat) all you have to do is take in a caloric deficit. So if for example you usually eat 2500 cals a day,, start eating 2200 cals a day,,, you dont even need to do exercise.

originally posted by: Domo1

I was convinced people used genetics or similar excuses as a crutch,"

how many times have I read this over the years?

Can some people do this - yes

Can everyone do this - I doubt it.

there are differences in physiology between people.
there differences in genetic make up in people.
some people react differently to different foods.

A sister in law of mine was big and fat the first time I laid eyes on her and remains that way till this day.

My brother has been skinny all his life and athletic and played sport for many years into adulthood.

She had two kids, girls, they both had kids.

One is still the coat hanger she was as a late teenager after having a child two years ago. (takes after the father) The other had a child then she blew up like her mother. YES Yes Yes, their life styles are still similar and they both took up with level headed, go ahead, blokes who are dedicated fathers.

Someone once said that for every complex problem there is a simple answer .... and its always wrong.