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Moderation Helped Tony Lose 229 Pounds
Posted on Sep 8th 2010 3:00PM by Martha EdwardsFiled Under: Motivation, Success Stories
Tony Before
Name: Tony a.k.a. Zeusmeatball
Age: 36
Start Weight: 534 pounds
Current Weight: 305 pounds
Goal Weight: 267 pounds (the number at which I will be half my former size)
My Weight Loss Approach: The way that I view weight loss and health is really kind of simple; I look at my weight loss almost as if it's my job -- and that job is to eat less while moving more. I do the eating less part by counting calories and focus on eating as many whole foods as possible while not restricting myself. For the most part, I eat what I want, but the difference now is that I do it in moderation. I allow myself 1,700 calories per day; whereas in the old days, I used a shovel in place of a fork. I log what I eat into an Excel spreadsheet that I made, and at the end of the day, I can see exactly what went in and how many calories I consumed. This also means that I can look back at what worked and what didn't. I am at a point where my wife calls me the walking scale: I can look at a serving of food and guesstimate pretty well by the size of the portion what the calorie count is. It just comes naturally.
Now for the move-more part: When I started out, I could barely walk around the block that I lived on before my back felt like it was on fire and I was covered in sweat. That block was less than a third of a mile all the way around, and I would be completely spent after making the 20-minute walk. To say that I was in the worst shape of my life does not even begin to describe it. I started by walking as far as I could, then I bought a used stationary bike and rode that until I broke it. Now I make sure to get in 40 minutes of cardio four to six times per week. I joined a gym nine months ago, and I ride my mountain bike as much as I can. I used to loathe exercise because of the way I felt during and afterward. Now I feel guilty if I skip a day, and I crave the high that I get after a good solid workout or ride on my bike.
That was the long answer, so here's the short one: Eat less, move more and live life to its fullest.
Tony Now
The best part of blogging is: The support that comes from other people going through some of the same struggles that I face on a daily basis is something I didn't expect. I literally started my blog just to have a place to scribble down my thoughts, my mood and what I ate on a given day, and that has evolved into so much more in the last couple of years. I have met people through my blog online as well as locally who have gone through huge weight losses themselves. To have made a friend because we have that struggle in common is kind of cool.
Best comment I've received: The best comments always come from people who haven't seen me in a while and are amazed at how much I have lost or how much healthier I look. I'm also very touched by those who take time to comment or e-mail about how I inspired them to make a change in their life. I didn't start this expecting to help anyone but myself, and I'm so glad that I'm able to share my journey with them.
What's next for my blog: Zeusmeatball the movie of course! Readers will follow along as the God of Meatballs gets into adventures all over the world, smiting trans fats and greasy food with his iron will and Salter scale! But seriously, I will keep writing my blog like always. I'm an "if it ain't broke don't fix it" kind of fella, and since I weigh 229 pounds less since starting my blog, it must be working. So letting the words continue to flow from my fingertips is the plan for now. I'm going to keep on keepin' on.
Will Tony reach his goal of being half his size? Keep up by visiting Zeusmeatball and don't forget to say hi!
Tony's not alone in his approach -- find out how Sean also shed more than 200 pounds without denying himself his favorite foods.
