Overcoming weight issues is a common struggle faced by many. The good news? It2019s a battle that can definitely be won! Check out this list of people who were once overweight but made life-changing commitments to fitness and are now aiding others on their weight loss journeys. Prepare to be inspired!
Katie Hug
After graduating high school, Katie Hug began a struggle many other people are familiar with 2013 weight gain. Between getting older, a slowing metabolism and taking medication for depression and anxiety, Katie2019s weight began to balloon. Adding in three children to the mix certainly didn2019t make matters any easier. Many moms will tell you the difficulties of finding the time to exercise. In 2012, Katie finally reached her breaking point while at a doctor2019s appointment. Her weight had ballooned to 270 pounds and was informed by her doctor that she was morbidly obese. It was also a turning point for Katie who told People, 201cI just got sick and tired of being fat and being overweight and being miserable in my own skin.201d
Katie Hug2019s Amazing Transformation
Katie embarked on a total lifestyle change which included tracking her food intake and making healthier choices. The biggest change came when she began to incorporate exercise and even learned to love it! She started with short workout videos and now does cardio five times a week with an additional three days of strength training. Katie has since lost 130 pounds and has learned to love exercise so much that she even has become a personal trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise. Katie told People, 201cYou start to feel that serotonin and dopamine and all that from exercise, and I didn2019t have that before. I used that as the outlet for stress, anxiety, depression. That made a huge difference.201d
Erica Nicole Kendall Changed Her Eating Habits
Erica Nicole Kendall battled to gain control of her weight after welcoming a beautiful baby daughter. A close friend had attempted to invite her to workout at their impressive university gym, but she couldn2019t stick with it. After forgoing exercise for a while, Erika began to focus on her eating habits. It was at that point she saw a significant change. It2019s true what they say: abs are made in the kitchen! From that point on Erika ventured back into the gym and said, 201cOnce I was happy with my eating habits, figured if I paired healthier eating with working out, the weight would fly off. And it did!201d Erica was able to lose an astounding 165 pounds and now runs her own blog where she offers advice on both exercise and eating healthy. One tip Erika offers is to use high-intensity interval training, which combines both strength and cardio elements.
Pat Barone, Weight Loss Coach
Pat Barone is now a weight loss coach who has devoted her life to helping other people who are struggling with weight. However, Pat was not always a fitness and nutrition-savvy fitness expert. She too struggled with her weight immensely over the years. Pat also battled with depression issues and depended upon anti-depressants for a long time. Her depression would cause her to overeat, thus starting a vicious cycle. Ultimately, after Pat2019s doctor kept increasing her anti-depressant dosage, she decided to make a change. Pat said, "I realized it wasn't solving anything2014it just made me ambivalent about continually gaining weight. I knew I needed to figure out why I was depressed, the root of what was causing my overeating. It was time to get to know myself.201d And she did. As Pat went on a journey of self-discovery she understood the causes of over-eating, depression and ended up dropping 92 pounds!
Cynthia Phillips: Food Is Key
Cynthia Phillips found herself packing on the pounds after working in corporate America. The humdrum life of sitting at a desk with minimal movement and all the constant eating out for work lunches led to an increase in body weight and clothing size. Ultimately, Cynthia realized just how much she gained after taking a photo and barely recognizing herself. The realization pushed her to join a gym, which then revealed an even more impactful truth: she took a body fat test and learned she was borderline obese. After this, Cynthia devoted herself to getting healthy. She was able to lose and keep off over 24 pounds. Cynthia says that the key to weight loss is food. 201cChange the way you experience and think about food. Food is going to make or break your ability to lose the weight and keep it off,201d she told Shape.
Kim Schaper Battled Eating Disorders
Kim Schaper has had a lifelong battle with food. For Kim, much of the problem lies with disordered eating and she has plunged from one extreme to the next. Kim said to Shape, "I've lost 50 pounds when I was overweight, and I've also battled anorexia and weighed only 75 pounds at one point.201d Ultimately, the illness completely took over her life and she sought therapy in order to make healthy life changes. This willingness to get help was a huge step in Kim2019s life and she was able completely turn things around. Kim took off 50 pounds and was able to maintain a healthy weight. Kim says that the goal is to be healthy and happy. She said, "Life is a journey2014there are no quick fixes or gimmicks that will work long term. Maintaining weight loss doesn't just come from the gym and the plate sitting in front of you. It also comes from positive and healthy relationships, laughing, enjoying life, finding your passion, and loving yourself.201d
Maurice Phillips Was Already A Trainer
Women are not the only ones who struggle with weight loss -- it2019s an issue that affects men as well. Maurice Phillips was in an interesting situation when he began to re-think his fitness strategy. He was already employed with a personal training company and even performed exercises demonstration videos for their YouTube channel. However, one day he played back a video and realized that his eating had definitely gotten out of control. In an interview with Shape, Maurice said that 201cOne day I looked back at the video and was shocked, thinking 'no one is going to take advice from me. I look like Grimace from McDonald's!'" Maurice began to incorporate more strength training and reduced his caloric intake, specifically limited refined carbs and sugar. He was able to take off 30 pounds and maintain it in a healthy manner.
Angelique Millis Didn't Feel Comfortable In Her Own Skin
Like many other young women, Angelique Millis ended up gaining the 201cFreshmen 15201d after high school. Although, Angelique says it was actually more like the freshman 40. At the time, she used food to maintain her emotions. Angelique said, 201cI would eat when I was stressed, happy, sad2014it didn2019t matter.201d She said that it got to the point where she no longer felt comfortable in her own skin and didn2019t even want to try on clothing at the store. Angelique then made the decision to change her lifestyle and live a healthier way. She emphasizes that the best way to lose weight is to embrace fitness as a lifestyle change and kick bad habits to the curb!
Dyan Tsiumis Conquered An Out-Of-Control Lifestyle
Dyan Tsiumis had pursued a life in fitness and was even an athletic training major while in college. Yet, she was unable to transfer all of her learned skill to her own life. Instead, she was consumed by unhealthy habits like smoking and overeating. After she graduated school, she realized how out-of-control her own lifestyle had become after stepping on a scale. The number revealed that she was 185 pounds on her tiny 520191201d frame! At that point, she decided to make a complete lifestyle change and lost 65 pounds. When advising people on their own fitness journeys, she said it2019s important to find something in fitness that you find fun and enjoyable.
Keoni Hudoba's Weight Affected His Job
In another from the "men files" and one of the most impressive weight losses on the list is Keoni Hudoba. Keoni previously worked as an opera singer. He said being regularly rejected is a common occurrence in auditioning. But after a casting director informed him that it was his size and not his voice keeping him from the job, he knew a change had to be made. Keoni has since made a total physical and mental transformation as well as a career change. He lost over 140 pounds, now works as a personal trainer, and even founded Cyc Fitness. Keoni says it2019s important to have rewards, including cheat food.
A Tragedy Changed Michelle Steinke's Life
For Michelle Steinke, a personal tragedy was the catalyst to change her own life. Previously, Michelle seemed to have it all: a wonderful husband, two kids, and a great job. But she was still not happy with her life. She had ballooned to 206 pounds and knew that something needed to change. Two months later, her husband and best friend were killed in a plane crash. Michelle turned to exercise as her coping tool, and she changed her life. She took up running and even completed the San Diego Marathon only five months later. Michelle was able to take off seventy pounds and get through some of the most challenging moments of her life. She says, 201cI've learned that endorphins are the best anti-depressant of all. Remember to take care of yourself during times of extreme stress2014it's the first step to being able to take care of those around you."
Kent McCann Overcame Insecurities
Kent McCann is another young man who dealt with insecurities about his body. After going through a bad breakup while in college he realized that he was not happy with the way he looked, or the way he felt winded just walking up the stairs. He initially started his journey to gain enough confidence to date again. But his willingness to try something different ended up starting an entire lifestyle change for him. Kent was able to take off 35 pounds and take his fitness to a new level. He suggests that those who are beginning their journey not to depend on dieting and instead make permanent lifestyle changes.
Nancy Anne Martin Suggests Keeping A Fitness Log
After watching her Mom succumb to health issues caused directly by not taking care of her health over the years, Nancy Anne Martin knew that she did not want to follow down the same path. She was also motivated by her children to make a lifestyle change in order to be around for them for a long time. Nancy set out to achieve a new lifestyle and she was able to achieve her goal and take off 49 pounds. Nancy also embarked on her new lifestyle in her 40s and wants people to know that it is never too late to take control of her life. Nancy suggests that fitness newcomers keep a log in order to keep track of their nutrition and exercise in order to motivate themselves to make healthy choices.
Lisa Anderson: It Is Never Too Late To Be Great
Lisa Anderson was another woman who decided to change her life in her 40s. As her forty-ninth birthday crept up on her, she realized that she needed to make a major lifestyle change. Her weight had ballooned and she was getting older. Lisa also admitted, 201cI looked forward to wearing something other than sweatshirts and sweatpants. I wanted my sexy back!201d Lisa set forth to make her dream a reality and committed to her fitness and nutrition goals. Lisa was able to complete a marathon and has lost seventy-five pounds. According to Shape, she wants people to know that 201cIt is never too late to be great!201d
Shannon Julia's Lifelong Struggle
Shannon Julia began struggling with her weight at a young age. As a child, Shannon2019s self-confidence had already been shaped by being the overweight girl in school. As she grew older she was finally determined to make a difference once and for all. In a Shape interview, Shannon said 201cI realized that I couldn't live my whole life not knowing what it feels like to be truly proud of my body; something had to change.201d Like many people early on their journey, the gym was a scary place. But she ultimately found a smaller, more welcoming gym where she felt encouraged by other fitness professionals. Shannon has since lost 85 pounds and has in turn aided others on their fitness journey. Shannon said it2019s all about finding which fitness and nutrition goals work best for you personally and then surrounding yourself with the right people to support your journey.
Carrie Barrett Conquered Her Fears
As a young woman, Carrie Barrett was a self-described athlete and tomboy. However, by her mid-20s she had become lazy and far too comfortable in her current state. She found herself endlessly in front of TV with a face full of food. The result was that her weight had spiraled out of control. Carrie said the beginning of her fitness journey was all about facing her fears. The first fear to conquer was to visit a running store and buy a new pair of running shoes. She also pushed herself out of her comfort zone by joining a marathon training program. Making gradual changes worked for Carrie and she has since lost 60 pounds and stayed true to her fitness commitments.
Scott Thompson Recovered From An Injury And Changed His Life
As a young man, Scott Thompson was a competitive athlete. He played numerous sports all the way into the college level. Sadly, his athletic career was ended after suffering a knee injury in college. Soon he found himself working behind a desk and eating unhealthily by ordering regular takeout. Within six years he had packed on 120 pounds. Unfortunately for Scott his loved ones frequently gave him a hard time about. In Shape, he said "[d]uring that time, my friends and family were relentless, constantly commenting on and mocking my weight until I'd finally had enough.201d Apparently, the tough love worked for Scott and he got to work. He ended up losing all of the weight he gained. Scott says the most important part of the weight loss journey is committing to the process.
Helen Ryan's Life-Changing Moment
Like a few others on the list, Helen Ryan life-changing moment after watching a loved one battle with their health. After seeing her father fight and ultimately pass away from cancer, she realized that she was on the same unhealthy path. Helen told Shape, 201cFor a long time I had hovered between life and death, just existing and not living, hiding behind my weight.201d Her weight held her back in other areas of her life, too. After committing to making healthy lifestyle changes, Helen was able to take off 80 pounds. Helen now works to encourage others on their own health journeys and says it2019s important not to focus on diet but to focus on health first. Another helpful tip she has learned is, 201cbrush your teeth after every meal, snack, or bite of food. Trust me2014it works!201d
Jessie Gibson Is A Bikini Model Now!
Thirty-three-year-old Jessie Gibson went from overweight mom to bikini fitness model. After living many years in a complacent and inactive lifestyle, Jessie realized something had to change. She incorporated weight training into her life, began eating more protein and vegetables, quit smoking and even quit her call center desk job. Jessie said to the Daily Star, "The turning point was I came home one night from partying and couldn2019t stand what I saw in the mirror.201d After committing to the change, the weight began to pour off and she lost over 50 pounds. Jessie even gained the confidence to compete in a fitness competition and now has the new career of a fitness model. Jessie said it2019s important to track your progress. Her before and after photos are very dramatic she says that she regularly receives messages from people who don2019t believe it2019s really her!
Public Accountability Helped Adam Waters
Adam Waters began looking for a lifestyle change at the age of 33. After living in Japan and working as an English teacher, he settled into a rather complacent life. He was skipping workouts and instead had a habit of overeating the delicious local cuisine. He realized he had gained a lot of weight and became very unhappy with the large mid-section he had developed. Finally, he decided to make a lifestyle change and get healthy. He started a blog and took daily photographs of his progress. The public photos made him commit to truly making a change and within 84 days he looked like a completely different person. He arranged his photos in a flipbook video which went viral.
Jennifer Nicole Lee Is Now A Model
One of the most famous and inspirational 'overweight to fitness maven' transformations is of now-model Jennifer Nicole Lee. Jennifer wasn2019t always the amazingly fit beauty who we see now. After having two children, Jennifer reached 200 pounds and struggled to get into fighting shape. She lost over 70 pounds through nutrition and strength training. She is now considered a fitness guru and one of the most well-known figures in the fitness industry. Jennifer said, 201cI banished all the myths and got real with myself... all the excuses such as "I don2019t have enough time" or "it's expensive to live healthy." Now she has appeared on over forty magazines, had her own swimwear line, published several books and workout DVDs. She also personally focuses on helping mothers getting back into shape as she is all too familiar with the struggle. Jennifer2019s advice to all and especially women is, 'I urge women to do more strength training than cardio as lean muscle tone is the fountain of youth.'