Family Weight Loss Success Stories  

So far, so good. The Reeves family is battling bulge, but it's not over yet.

Four months passed since the Men's Health team set out on a makeover mission to help the family learn to live a healthier lifestyle. With the help of strength coach Charles Staley, C.S.C.S., and nutritionist Heidi Skolnik, the family is well on its way to a successful transformation.

Editor's Note: Please see the articles listed on the right to study the family's fitness and nutrition plan.

John Reeves: The Big Daddy

Age: 40

Starting weight: 300 LB

Lost: 30 LB

Recommended daily caloric intake: 2500

John followed Heidi's food plan. "It seemed more natural than the other diets we've tried," he said. "It includes all the food groups, so we weren't feeling deprived."

In other diet plans he's tried, John said that as soon as a food is restricted, then it becomes "the forbidden fruit."

"But not with this one," he said.

He enjoyed Staley's workouts, and worked out at noon everyday. "I followed the idea of making an appointment to work out, and keeping that appointment just like any other one," John said. He even converted his lifting partner to Staley's EDT's. (To learn more about EDT's, check out Integrated Sport Solutions.)

Mary Ellen Reeves: The Ex-Athlete

Age: 41

Starting Weight: 180

Lost: 17 pounds.

Recommended daily caloric intake: Started at 1900, then reduced to1800.

Eliminated: a starch.

"Heidi's plan was easy, I was never hungry," Mary Ellen said. "Charles' weight lifting regimen was perfect for me because I don't have much time. It only took 20-30 minutes."

But the hardest part was finding time during the day.

Mary Ellen started working out with Ryne in the evenings, but too many baseball games and other activities intruded.

"We would be running at 10 at night, so we split up," she said. "Ryne started working out with his friends and I worked out in the morning."

Staley ordered Mary Ellen to complete three-to-four core exercises like lunges, bench presses, arm curls, and triceps. "I could see results in three weeks," Mary Ellen said. "You really can defeat gravity!"

Luke Reeves: The Not-So-Big Brother

Age: 15

Starting weight: 150 LB

Gained: 18 LB

Recommended daily caloric intake: 4,000

Before the makeover: (Unlike the rest of the family, Luke hoped to gain weight for football.) Luke took a weight-gaining supplement every night, which was a 1,200-calorie shake.

He continued drinking shakes during the 3-month trial period.

Luke made an effort to eat breakfast and cut junk food (before the makeover, a typical lunch would be coke and chips).

During the summer, he lifted weights every day. Now, he continues to lift after football practice.

As a sophomore, he starts as center for the Cardinals football team.

But eating enough food was where Luke struggled. "Food isn't that big of a deal for me, so I have to remind myself to stop and eat," he said.

Ryne Reeves: The Not-So-Little Brother

Age: 11

Starting weight: 180 LB

Lost: 25 LB

Recommended daily caloric intake: 2,500

Ryne gave up soda and fast food. He started eating breakfast, and a lot more fresh fruit and vegetables.

To help motivate him to exercise, Ryne worked out with buddies who have the same interests.

Twice a week, he goes to school early, at 6:30 a.m., to lift weights. Food temptations hurdled his goals, however. Although his buddies motivated him in the weight room, they failed when it came to lunch. Ryne's biggest challenge, "having to order a salad and water or ice tea at a fast food restaurant, when all my friends were ordering burgers and fries."

A Slice of Advice

"Get rid of the scale! Or at least don't be a slave to it," Mary Ellen said. "I was addicted to weighing myself every week, if not twice a week. All three of us that were trying to lose weight, hit the wall on the fourth week."

Losing weight may take longer than you think, the family claimed. "We didn't lose one ounce until at least two weeks went by," Mary Ellen said. "It was very hard to stay the course without seeing results on the scale. Now, I weigh myself once a month with the expectation of losing only one pound a week."

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