82: Small Changes for Weight Loss and Health (M/39) | Todd Blake

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367-Pound Todd had developed gout, feet and tooth pain, asthma, and high blood pressure.

Hear how small changes added up to his 178-pound loss and the ability to stop taking medications.

“Going downhill is easier, but the view from the top is much better.”

“Never stop.”

“Constant small changes.”

 

Weight Gain Background and Contributing Factors

Todd was overweight as a child and describes himself as having had no athletic ability. Though he slimmed down during his teens, he shares that he didn’t feel slim.

Todd was, unfortunately, subject to the childhood teasing and ridicule that many of us knew personally.

“I was chubby and other kids were more than happy to point that out.”

In college, he got a job in a computer lab and took on a more sedentary lifestyle. More time outside his parents’ home also meant he ate less home-cooked meals and more pre-packaged options.

Health and activity were not priorities for Todd, so his weight gain continued until he reached 367 pounds. (166.8 kg)

The Turning Point

In his late twenties, Todd began developing several health issues. He had gout, tooth problems, elevated blood pressure, asthma, and some painful foot issues.

The tooth pain persisted, and things got worse until a root canal was required on what was left of the tooth.

“That kind of struck me. That tooth is gone. It’s not coming back, it’s permanent… What about the rest of me… What else am I going to lose if I don’t turn this around?”

Starting The Weight Loss Journey

Todd knew from the experiences of others that a crash diet or short-term plan would not be effective for him in the long run. He knew that a total lifestyle change was necessary to undo years of poor eating habits.

Todd’s mother had experienced success with Weight Watchers, so he thought he’d try that.

He began by tracking all his meals and food consumption, without immediately making any changes. Then, he began reducing his food intake to the level recommended by the Weight Watchers plan.

He lost approximately five pounds in the first week, and continued losing the first 60 pounds (27 kg) this way, without ever feeling hungry. At that point, he realized and decided that it was time for him to introduce exercise.

Todd purchased a Wii game console with the Wii Fit bundle for exercise, but was over the weight limit of 300 pounds at the time. Once he was able to, it became his primary exercise.

After the first 100 pounds (45.5 kg), Todd’s goal shifted from “getting thin” to “getting fit,” and his weight remained around 260 pounds (118 kg) for a few years.

In 2013, he began eating cleaner and dropped another 30 pounds. A casual conversation happened to lead Todd to a new bucket-list goal: sky diving.

He learned that the maximum weight limit for sky diving was 225 pounds, and at this point he was 230. This reignited his drive, and as Todd began exploring new fitness communities online, he discovered MyFitnessPal.com and NerdFitness.com.

To be safe, Todd worked his way down to 215 and went sky diving.

He has since reached 189 pounds, where he feels comfortable, healthy, and fit – making his transformation a grand total of 170 pounds lost. (77kg)

Todd has also been able to discontinue taking his blood pressure medication.

Staying Motivated

Todd didn’t share the decision to change his lifestyle with anyone around him at the beginning.

In addition to knowing that he was risking failure, he knew himself and felt that any praise he received about the decision alone might rob him of further willpower to stick to his plan.

What Todd Learned About Food, Exercise, and Himself

Todd had been a soda drinker in the past, and struggled to let it go. He instead transitioned to drinking diet soda, which had little or no calories, but still satisfied his craving for the taste of soda.

Todd also discovered that, as he tried new foods, his taste preferences changed. For example, he couldn’t stand onions and green & red peppers before, but now eats and loves both.

“I started paying attention to more flavors, instead of just eating something because it satisfied some base need for the bread flavor.”

One of Todd’s go-to snacks is strawberries with Stevia sweetener sprinkled on them.

Todd’s Advice For Your Journey

  • Start with one small change. For example, cut out soda or beer, park further in the parking lot at work.
  • Don’t drink your calories. It is deceptively easy to consume (and exceed) your daily calorie requirements in liquid form.
  • Remember that you only get one body. Start making changes as early in life as possible; it will get more difficult.
  • Make changes with the mindset that they are new, lifelong habits – not temporary steps.

Resources Discussed In This Podcast

On Todd’s Workout Playlist

Contacting Todd

Todd can be reached by email. Say hello!

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