"When I was a little kid, I definitely struggled with my weight," Lisk says. "Kids used to tease me, and it hurt." Although he played sports, Lisk says that eating healthy didn't come naturally. "I remember lots of showdowns with my parents at the dinner table, trying to get me to eat veggies."
Courtesy of Matthew Lisk
"I was always on the heavy side, but it wasn't until I was in high school that I became aware of my body," Lisk says. To lose his baby fat, Lisk tried the Slim-Fast diet and started working out regularly. "It was a little awkward bringing the shakes to school and stuff, but I did it and it worked."
Courtesy of Matthew Lisk
"When I went to college, I put on a tremendous amount of weight." Late-night eating, paired with drinking and an all-you-can-eat meal plan contributed to Lisk's 80-pound gain while he was at school.
Courtesy of Matthew Lisk
"When I entered the work force, I realized just how much weight impacts people's perception of you," Lisk recalls. He knew it was time to get in shape, but wasn't sure how. Lisk did some research on the Internet and found the Body for Life Challenge -- a 12-week program with cash prizes.
Courtesy of Matthew Lisk
"I was more focused on the competition than learning healthy habits, so I wasn't doing things that were sustainable," Lisk says. His weight-loss program included hitting the gym two to three times a day and eating as few as 800 calories in a day. "Granted, I looked great, but it wasn't sustainable."
Courtesy of Matthew Lisk
Although he got down to 190 pounds, within the first three months after completing the challenge, Lisk says he gained back about 20 pounds. By the time he married his wife, Lauren, in October 2002, Lisk had put on 30 pounds.
Courtesy of Matthew Lisk
"I'm about 300 pounds here." Lisk says. "I went from 190 pounds and 6 percent body fat [right after the Body for Life Contest] and basically put on an entire other person." It was a health scare that helped him decide to shape up for good.
"I went to the hospital with shortness of breath. It felt like my chest was closing in." After running a series of test, doctors found that Lisk had adult-onset asthma, dangerously high cholesterol and severe sleep apnea. "The doctor said all of this could go away if I lost the weight, and that's when I started the burrito diet."
Courtesy of Matthew Lisk
"I needed something that was quick and I could do on the go," Lisk says. At the time, he was living in a hotel room four nights a week because he lived in New Jersey, but commuted to Virginia by plane. "That, along with having a new baby, was not the easiest schedule to lose weight with," he admits.
His wife found high-fiber, high-protein tortillas one day, and Lisk began using them as a weight-loss tool. "Basically, the diet consists of taking healthy food and wrapping it up in these tortillas. The burritos were just the container that helped with portion control, and the goal was for each to contain fiber, protein and fruits or veggies." Lisk ate three burritos a day, along with three snacks -- usually cottage cheese, yogurt, an apple, or some almonds.
Courtesy of Matthew Lisk
Today, at a healthy 220 pounds, Matt continues to use burritos as part of his weight maintenance plan, but now he lets himself eat what he wants in moderation. "I think it's important for people to understand the diet isn't about going to Taco Bell three times a day," Matt explains. "It's nutrition basics -- eating the right thing, in the right portion and feeling full." Lisk now sells his e-book, "The Burrito Diet," which includes a 30-day meal plan and recipes, on his Web site.
Courtesy of Matthew Lisk
