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John Goodman's Trainer Talks About His 100-Pound Weight Loss
Posted on Aug 12th 2010 2:00PM by Kristen SeymourFiled Under: Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment
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Shilstone's program takes a comprehensive approach to health and weight loss, incorporating various diagnostic tests including Dexa scans, which measure bone density, to determine the best way for patients to lose weight. But what the plan really relies on is commitment.
"I'm all about commitment versus contribution," Shilstone said. "John really made the commitment." But that dedication did not come easy for the busy actor.
"I got to know John right after Katrina. When John first came to me about three years ago, he'd made a decision that he wanted to lose weight," he said.
Goodman went through the diagnostics tests, and Shilstone said the conclusion was that, "John was very effective at making fat, as many people who are overweight or obese are."
To help Goodman reach his goal, Shilstone looked to one of his books, "The Fat Burning Bible," which suited Goodman's needs. Goodman started using specialized circuit training and heart monitors. "John liked to box, so I started doing some boxing with him. Not where you hit anybody, but with mitts," he said.
It was a success, and Goodman lost 70 pounds. But then he left town to do some movies. "He made a definite contribution and took the 70 pounds off," Shilstone said, "but like many people, he hadn't made the commitment to keep it off."
Last year, Goodman returned to Shilstone. Two months into the second go-round, Shilstone and Goodman set a goal for March 2011. "By March of 2011, we would move into the greatest fight of his life," Shilstone said. "But the fight wasn't in a ring; it was a fight of life."
Now Goodman is in L.A. while Shilstone remains in New Orleans, but the fitness pro assured us that's not a problem. "He's replicated my cord system," Shilstone said. Goodman duplicated the circuit he was doing in his garage in California, using tubing for resistance training and an elliptical machine.
One of Shilstone's favorite stories about working with Goodman is the day Shilstone earned himself a new nickname.
"We live close to the Commander's Restaurant, and I walked him to the cemetery, and I said, 'Do you know who I am, John? Do you have any idea who I really am?' And he said, 'You're Mackman!' I said, 'No, I'm Death. I am here to tell you that you have a chance. And I normally don't do that. You have a chance to use the shovel over there to dig the grave that you have been working toward, or you can use that shovel to fill in that grave. The choice is yours.' So he calls me Death now!"
Shilstone doesn't want Goodman, or anyone for that matter, to stick with him indefinitely. Real success comes when people no longer need him, which is where Goodman is now.
"John Goodman made the commitment to stop renting his health; he owns his health now."
Still, Shilstone will be keeping a close eye on his neighbor and friend, whom he now considers a real athlete. "I've been doing this for 28 years, and I've been lucky enough to work with over 3,000 pro athletes, and John is really one of my athletes. He's gotten so agile, and he can move so well. Not only does this help him prolong his life, but I think it opens him up to more movie parts if he chooses."
Goodman's not the only one showing off a slimmer physique. Check out how Sara Rue lost 50 pounds.
