Its Not Just 8 Weeks: 

Since we launched our Belly Off! program in January, it’s helped thousands of guys lose tons of weight—more than 15 tons, actually. More important, guys have laid a foundation—and are continuing to lay foundations—for bigger fitness goals with a realistic plan that’s a starter for everything else Men’s Health has to offer. And the best part? It starts whenever guys want to.

 

In that time, regular guys—with jobs, kids, and hectic schedules like yours—have shared their stories, their successes, and their hopes for weight loss on MensHealth.com.

 

They’ve continued to work, lose, and in some cases, struggle. Here, we catch up with 6 of them to share more real-world wisdom for real-world weight loss.

 

Martin Del Carmen, 18, high school lineman:

Starting weight: 215 pounds

Current weight: 196 pounds

Goal: 190 pounds

 

How he’s feeling:

“I’ve stopped falling asleep in class because of the energy I have throughout the day,” says the 18-year old high schooler. “I feel like I walk taller, too. I don’t slouch anymore, and I have more confidence in myself.”

 

What’s next:

With his goal weight in sight, Martin’s setting forth on his dream to become a firefighter. “My fire science class is physically demanding, and I know that without losing the weight that I have, I probably wouldn’t survive one day of it,” he says. And he’s trying to help former teammates get motivated: “I have a friend who currently weighs 290 pounds, and he promises that he’ll do the program if he’d get results like me.”

 

Dan Maltese, 28, business traveler:

Starting weight: 279 pounds

Current weight: 252 pounds

Goal: 220 pounds

 

No excuses:

“Nobody ‘missed’ the start of Belly Off!, even if they didn’t start in week one,” he says. “Just pull up the meal plan, look at the exercises, and start whenever.” His tip: Start and stick to it. “It’s really a lifelong thing so don’t worry about timing.”

 

A simpler life:

“The diet itself simplifies my day, makes grocery shopping easy, and makes sure I don’t get to hungry and start craving a quick fill-me-up meal like fast food,” he says. And the simplification has helped him do things he knows he should: “The diet has gotten me to eat fruits and vegetables in quantities I never have.”

 

John Dodd, 50, former Twinkie salesman:

Starting weight: 305 pounds

Current weight: 278 pounds

Goal: 220 pounds (by Halloween)

 

Tougher than it looks:

“I have realized it takes a lot of effort, and with a family, it is even harder,” Dodd says. “Dropping weight is tough when you see so many foods on TV and drive past buffets everyday … Valentine’s Day, Easter, birthdays, and stress make it even harder.”

 

He’s the new model:

Dodd sees most plans emphasize young, fit guys, but don’t provide for men in their 40s and 50s like him. Instead, he’s becoming the new example: “I will never look like a model, so I need to see a guy that looks like me,” he says.

 

Dan Elster, 36, wildlife photographer:

Starting weight: 210 pounds

Current weight: “Still above 200”

Goal: 175 pounds

 

The slow going’s OK:

“My workouts are the best they’ve been in years,” says the ex-smoker. “I haven’t benched this much since college … I’m also running father and faster than I have in a long time.”

 

His struggle:

“Old habits are hard to break,” Elster says. He’s “rationalized” some bad eating, and feels he can still do better. But he’s satisfied with his progress, and has provided himself with more motivation: a 10-mile race in April. “I want to be down at least another 10 pounds by race day.”

 

Josh DeVine, 27, TV newsman:

Starting weight: 225 pounds

Current weight: 215 pounds

Goal: 185 pounds

 

More important than pounds:

“I’m finding it much easier to make some better choices and learning how to ‘cheat well,’” DeVine says. The news van pulls up to a lot of drive-thrus, so it’s been tough. But the good choices have helped his waist and confidence. “Others have noticed I’m slimming down a bit, but moreso noticing I’m standing straighter these days.”

 

The toughest thing:

“Late-night snacking,” he says. “Because I get off work late, from time to time, it’s way too easy to eat well into the late night. I’m getting there … slowly.”

 

Ross Muhleman, 28, founder of Belly Off’s “128 Club”

Starting weight: 196 pounds (January 28)

Current weight: 188 pounds

Goal: 179 pounds

 

A different mindset about food:

“I weigh the pros and cons of everything I put in my mouth [now],” the sales engineer says. “I still cheat a little here and there, but I’ll have a scoop of ice cream instead of a sundae in a punch bowl.”

 

It’s good to have a game plan:

Before Belly Off!, Ross tried to take off some weight alone. “By myself, I lost 9 pounds in about two months,” he says. “With Belly Off!, I’ve lost 8 pounds in 3 weeks. What a difference a good game plan makes, huh?”

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