Belly Off: Hiking Weight Loss Success Story  

Vitals: Don Chao, 25, Los Angeles, CA

Occupation: Wellness coach/actor

Height: 5'10"

Time Required To Reach Goal: 6 months

Lesson Learned: Surround yourself with people who are as focused on fitness as you are.

Secret Weapon: Temptation is temporary. Resist cravings long enough and you'll win out.

Weight Before: 208

Weight After: 165

 

The Gain

Chao sought refuge from the stress of college studies with a full-time party schedule. "I lifted weights three times a week," he says, "but I hit the keg and the junk food every night." His "earn your binges" attitude left him on the losing end of the transaction, with a layer of fat around his midsection.

 

The Change

After graduation, Chao spent a winter leading eco-tours in Brazil. He stopped snacking and eating carb-rich foods, switching to a diet of fish, chicken, and vegetables. He guided hikes along the Amazon, played soccer did lots of pushups and pull- ups. In a few months, he uncovered his hidden lean physique.

 

The Lifestyle

  "When I came back from Brazil, I wanted to keep the weight off but gain muscle," Chao says. That meant loading up on protein--he takes in 150 grams of it a day in chicken, meal-replacement shakes, and whey protein mixed with oatmeal. Now Chao hits the gym five times a week, working a different muscle group each day. On weekends, he visits mountain trails with friends for 5-mile runs.

 

The Reward

With his head clear and his waist whittled, Chao moved to Los Angeles to chase the classic Hollywood dream. Attention followed: While working part-time as a massage therapist and wellness coach, he acquired an acting agent and a modeling agent. Better yet was the beach scene, where he saw female heads turning in his direction for a change. "I thought, So this is what it feels like to be checked out by a girl."

 

Don's Tips

Get away from your bad habits. You don't have to fly to Brazil--just find your own sanctuary for dodging temptation.

 

Pay attention to your body after meals. Foods that make you feel bloated and tired will sap your energy during workouts.

 

Make your mental fitness a priority. Visualizing your goal takes the same discipline as eating healthy.

 

 

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