Weight Loss Stories – Marqus Lost 160 Pounds and 41 Inches

Name: Marqus
Age: 30
Family Status: Single
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Height: 6’0″
Waist: 48″
Starting Weight: 510 pounds
Current Weight: 350 pounds
Pounds or Inches Lost: Since June 2011, I have lost 160 pounds! My waist went from 66″ to 48″. My chest went from 70″ to 52″. My neck went from 24″ to 19″. My shirt size went from 7x/8x to 3x/4x!

Marqus’s Weight Loss Story!

When did you become unhappy with your weight?
It was really never a given time that I was unhappy. I believe I was always unhappy and I just masked it with activities I chose to engage in.

What made you decide to lose weight?
It’s not so much what made me but who made me. I joined a church that so happened to have a personal trainer as a member who saw that I needed to get the weight off. We went back of forth with him wanting to train me until I finally said yes.

What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
The first change was my diet and the foods I ate. I was so used to certain foods, I had to get used to not eating them anymore. Once I slowly got rid of the bad foods and replaced them with better foods, it became easier to eat right.

What was most challenging about losing weight?
Exercising was probably my biggest challenge because I was never an active person. Simple exercises such as walking or push ups and sit ups were quite difficult because I was not used to doing them. It was challenging just walking a mile or walking up and down stairs.

How long did it take you to start to see results?
I began seeing results within the first month or two in my face and neck area. That was actually one of the main reasons I kept going because I saw I was able to do it.

How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
Two years.

How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
I have not reached my goal weight as of yet but I have maintained my steady weight loss for two years by simply eating clean and exercising.

What keeps you motivated to continue your weight loss success?
First and foremost, God keeps me motivated because truth be told, he gives me strength everyday to get up and do it, regardless of how I might be feeling that day. Also, Brian Harris (Fit 4 Life Athletics) is my trainer and he gives me motivation to keep going. He lets me know I can do it when I think I can’t. I also find motivation in myself because I know in the long run, I will be bettering my life as well as my health.

How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
My confidence has greatly increased as well as my overall happiness. My weight loss is one of the best things I’ve ever done.

Do you have any advice for others who are trying to lose weight?
If you want to lose weight but think you can’t, you need to stop thinking like that. Find the will power within yourself and you will succeed. Do not look at yourself as a failure and do not let other people’s opinions of you define who you are.

How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
Reading weight loss success stories on ShapeFit.com let me know that I was able to do it. I would read stories and get motivated from them.

Marqus’s Weight Loss Tips!

Weight loss tip #1:
Drink lots of water.

Weight loss tip #2:
Do not give up.

Weight loss tip #3:
Do not let the numbers on the scale mess with your head.

Weight loss tip #4:
Engage in lots of cardio.

Weight loss tip #5:
Have fun with it.

Marqus’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!

Breakfast:
3 slices of turkey bacon, 1 slice of multigrain toast, a banana, egg whites, and 16 ounces of water.

Lunch:
Sandwich with 2 slices of multigrain bread, 3 ounces of turkey breast, 1 slice of provolone cheese and spinach, 1 serving of baked Cheetos, an apple and 16 ounces of water.

Dinner:
Grilled tilapia or salmon, boiled brown rice, a house salad with no dressing, 15 grapes, and 16 ounces of water.

Snacks or Mini Meals:
I drink water throughout the day as well as snack on various fruits (apples, grapes, oranges) and veggies (carrots, spinach), a single serving of baked chips and protein shakes.

Nutritional Supplements:
I drink a protein shake immediately after my workouts.

Marqus’s Weight Loss Workouts!

Weight Training:
As far as weight training, I do exercises with free weights for my arms.

Cardiovascular:
I walk and jog at least 4 days a week as well as work on the elliptical, StairMaster and bike. I also focus a lot on abs with various ab exercises as well as push ups for my chest workouts.

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