Despite the hurdles of middle age, this Redditor achieved amazing weight loss results… but there was a catch.
At DMARGE, we love body transformations. There’s nothing better than seeing men who struggle with their weight, and often their mental health, find a way to take control of it all. In an effort to share the secrets behind their fitness success so others can start their own journey, we’re sharing some of our favorite stories.
This 41-year-old Redditor, who went by the username bigmartyfitness and posted pictures of his progress on the site’s dedicated subreddit, revealed an incredible year-long transformation. He lost 100 pounds, but more importantly, he gained the skills and confidence to tackle his dream job as a physical therapist. With a lot of hard work, he managed to completely transform his appearance… but his transformation reveals a hard truth about weight loss that many people just don’t want to hear.
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Cut, cut, cut
Before we get into his secret strategy, we first want to give you our best tips for losing weight, whether you follow this guy’s approach or not. What follows are the basics of losing weight, but the absolute basics you need to master.
When it comes to shedding those pounds, eating right is always the most important and often the most strenuous step. You have to make a “cut” by maintaining a strict calorie deficit for an extended period of time, just like Zac Efron did before filming “The Last.” BaywatchHere are some general dietary guidelines to follow, but keep in mind that diets vary from person to person:
- Calculate your calories: To lose body fat, you need to create a calorie deficit by consuming fewer calories than your body burns. Calculate your daily calorie needs and subtract 250-500 calories per day to create a gradual calorie deficit.
- Eat plenty of fiber: High-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help you feel full and satisfied while dieting.
- Ensure adequate fluid intake: Staying hydrated is essential for optimal health and can also help curb hunger and cravings.
While this Redditor obviously went hard and fast, it’s important to note that successful weight loss requires patience and consistency. It’s not advisable to lose too much body fat too quickly, as this can lead to muscle loss and other health problems. Aim for gradual, sustainable fat loss, listen to your body, and adjust your eating plan as needed.
The long route
When it comes to shedding pounds, people, especially as we mature a bit, crave quick fixes—plans that promise a “6-week slim fitness plan for summer” or a viral diet hack that offers a newfound loophole to bypass the core goals listed above—that sort of thing. The hard truth about losing weight, however, especially when you lose that much weight, is this: It takes a damn long time to get the weight off and, more importantly, to keep it off.
It took this Redditor 10 long years to complete his transformation, and while I think we can all agree that the long-term commitment was absolutely worth it, realizing that losing weight often takes much longer than gaining it is a bitter pill to swallow.
