Cholesterol Weight Loss Success Story  

Vitals: Brandon Watford, 29, Bonifay, FL

Occupation: Salesman

Height: 6'2"

Time required to reach goal: 3 years

Weight before: 374

Weight after: 192

Lesson learned: Food is an addiction. You have to resist your triggers.

Inspired tip: Set small goals. Trying to drop big numbers can seem impossible at first.

 

The Gain: Watford was chubby from a young age, used to buying clothes from the "husky" aisle. "My mom told me it was baby fat, but it never went away," he says. His love of traditional Southern fare -- fried chicken, sugary sweet iced tea, and biscuits with gravy -- didn't help. By his early 20s, climbing a few steps winded him, he was frequently sick, and his self-esteem had evaporated. "Eventually, all I wanted to do was sleep all day," he says.

 

The Change: At 24, Watford weighed 374 pounds and his total cholesterol topped 300 -- well above the healthy upper limit of 200. His doctor recommended a gastric bypass, but Watford resisted. "I realized I could make the lifestyle changes that were needed for me to lose weight on my own," Watford says. Instead of going under the knife, he eliminated bread and deep-fried food and walked 2 hours on the treadmill every day.

 

The Lifestyle: Watford now walks 5 miles a day, and lifts weights 4 days a week. He chugs water constantly and typically eats oatmeal for breakfast, a salad for lunch, and baked chicken for dinner. "It's all about balance," Watford says. "If I eat a big lunch, then I eat a smaller dinner."

 

The Reward: After nearly halving his weight, Watford has gained confidence and energy. Hiking, traveling, and attending concerts have superseded TV time. Watford's health turned a corner, as well: He no longer needs his blood-pressure meds, and his cholesterol numbers have dropped to a healthy level. "I've added years back to my life," he says.

 

Brandon's Tips

Lift as you lose. Lifting weights -- even light weights --  can help tighten loose skin.

 

Change it up. If you plateau on the scale, alter your diet to nudge your body back into weight-loss mode.

 

Discover new cuisines. There are dozens of ways to cook chicken, and most are healthier than frying.

 

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