Being At Your Prime Is a Choice
Removing unhealthy foods from his diet and starting a strict workout routine was the solution for Phatlilpanda in battling his weight loss and health related problems. He has now lost 66 lbs and continues to count calories and engage in daily exercise.
He contacted us through our Share Your Story feature, and provided the following answers to our questionnaire.
1. What made you decide to lose weight this time?
It all started when I got a blood test done and saw that my cholesterol and some of my liver stats were a lot higher then what the normal range was supposed to be. Also, my glucose number was 1 point away from what is considered Diabetic. I realized that at the age of 18 I shouldn't be having health problems like this already, and that at this point of my life I should be at my prime.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I have tried Low Carb Diets and Nutrisystem.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
I stopped eating fast food (even Subway), junk food and red meat, and instead took a more balanced diet consisting of whole grains, fiber with lots of lean protein like chicken breast, and fish. I also added healthy fats like almonds and walnuts. I would go to the gym 6-7 days a week, 2-3 hours a day. My workout routine consisted of 1 and 1/2 hours of weight training, 1 hour of cardio, and a few minutes in the steam/sauna room.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
I discovered Calorie Count a little more then one month after I started my diet and it helped me realize how ridiculous the fat, carb, sodium, and calorie contents were for the foods I used to eat. Now whenever I wonder about the nutritional value of something that I'm eating, I go onto Calorie Count Mobile on my phone and search for it.
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
The most difficult part of losing weight was being a full time student and working 25 hours a week. That made it difficult for me to keep my diet a priority. I had school from 7 am to 3 pm Monday-Thursday and had work afterwards. I would go to the gym at 10 pm every day for 2-3 hours which only allowed me 5 hours of sleep a night for most of the week. Not to mention, I worked at Coldstone Creamery, and we were allowed a free Love It Signature size of ice cream every time we worked. I also have friends that like to eat a lot, but they have a metabolism of a horse and I don't.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
I saw results a week after I started my diet at which point I had lost 3 pounds. Eventually I noticed the fat around my neck, face, stomach, and pretty much every part of my body continuing to reduce as my diet continued.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
I realized I was a success when my weight finally dropped below 220 lbs. I looked at my driver's license information that I took when I was 16, and that's exactly how much I weighed back then. Now I'm almost 19 and I can't remember the last time i weighed below 174 pounds.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
I just think about how many positive things have come from losing all this weight and going to the gym. I am now taking it a little bit easier because of my new job as a server at Olive Garden. So instead of going to the gym everyday, I now go 4 days a week and I've loosened up on my diet a little, even though I still don't eat fast food or junk food.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
Everything has changed for the better, my confidence has increased, I am not tired all the time like I used to be, I have a whole new wardrobe, I look a lot better, I make friends easier then before, and my blood test results are now all normal.
10. What tips do you have for other dieters?
- Don't ever give up, even if you hit a plateau - you'll get past it
- Don't let others persuade you into doing these Hollywood miracle
diets, you'll most likely gain all the weight back and more
afterwards. - Be realistic and set small goals frequently instead of setting one big
goal, or else it'll feel like you'll never reach it. - Exercise frequently, but don't forget to do what you enjoy. If you
don't like running on the treadmill, do the elliptical instead or
vice versa. Always change it up so you never get bored of what you're
doing.
If you would like us to feature your success story, you can submit it here. The most insightful stories will be featured on this blog and in the weekly "Success Stories" newsletter.
Comments
I love to hear stories about young people, almost my age, who try to and successfully get a handle on their physicality. Being 16, I often look at people my age have energy galore--like some drugged up Orangutan--and I wonder, wow, how is that possible? What gives them that much energy that I can NOT muster? And then half an hour later, I see them chewing Snickers and sippin' sodas with reckless abandon. How they stay skinny and, for some, fit, is beyond me, but I'm certainly jealous. Thank you for a great story of another person who was in my shoes, it only makes things easier.
Great Results, particularly considering your acedemic and work schedule. Sleep is also important for a long term sucessful diet and general health. 5 hours per night is ok from time to time but not long term even more so for someone who is young like you. Good to know that you have found a new job and you are adjusting your schedule.
Congratulations! I think you are amazing and I appreciate the sharing of your life change.
I am trying to get where you are and with stories like this I can do this. I am 51 and I am going to get to a healthy weight.
Congratulations!! Given your busy schedule, you've done an amazing job. Thanks for sharing. :)
Super excellent job! It is rare to see this kind of self discipline, motivation, and determination in young people now a days! Your family must be proud and you should be proud too! :)
You go Boy! You let no excuses get in your way, your attitude is going to make you a success no matter what you do in life! I hope you share your techniques to help other kids. You would make a good mentor. You made it! Congrats!
Fabulous. You've done an outstanding job of all aspects of your life! congratulations!
Congratulations, you look fantastic!! You have exercised a very respectable amount of commitment and courage. I just wanted to mention that I think it's good that you go to the gym only 4x a week now. What you were doing before (12-21 hours of exercise a week) might be considered a little bit excessive or unhealthy in some people's eyes, but I know you were getting all the proper nutrition that you needed to do so. Just remember, about 4-5 hours of exercise a week is enough for most people to lose weight at a reasonable pace. Fantastic job!!
Looks like Phatlilpanda is going to need to change his screen name to Leanlilpanda :)
Definitely an inspiration!
Congratulations! Your story gives me hope that I can do it too. You have so much going on in your life and yet you lost weight. But the most amazing thing for me was where you worked and are working how. That goes to show that I don't have any excuses. I should be able to lose weight anywhere I am. I think you will be able to keep your weight off because you were in the middle of temptation and you still kept your eye on your goal weight. God bless you. 
Congratulations! You have renewed my spirits on dieting. I too found out that my cholesterol was high and my liver fats was up and that decided me to start going to the gym. I have lost a few pounds earlier this year but stopped on my serious training after seeing 15 lbs off my weight. I have started my training once more and will make sure that I read stories like you to inspire me when the going gets tough. Thank you and good luck on your journey!
Wow, I have to say that losing weight while working at cold Stone Creamery is AMAZING. I love that place, had it this week actually while on vacation, It would be so hard for me to be around it every day. I am thankful there is not one within an hour from me, lol. To be able to get it for free!!!! and turn it down is definitely discipline and determination to change your life for the better, Congrats.
Congrats! That a huge accomplish and it is amazing that you were able to control your diet with all of those other stressors - school work and temptations of Cold Stone Creamery. Keep of the excellent work - I cannot wait to be able to share my weight loss with everyone.
Hey Congratulations!!! I've been on an on & off diet & excercise regime & theres no difference in my weight!!! But you have been an inspiration!!!! I definitely want to start & I am sure if I stay as focused as you, I too will be have a success story to post!!!!
God bless & continue the good job!!!
today i started MY diet. i am so happy i read your story because it has given me motivation to work hard! especially since we are close in age.
Where in the heckk did you find your will power!?
i have ZERO will power when it comes to abything sweettt!
What was your diet plan? like what did you eat and when?
GREAT JOBB!
How did you go so much? Lol. I do a smaller version of what you do and sometimes I get sooo tired of going to the gym so much. Do suggest anything else? ALso. What weightlifting did you do?
add me. your a great inspiration my brother did the same thing you did!
But do u still cut out subway?
Leslie- Yes you can! And yes you do have will power! Sometimes we just have nudged it forward.
I'm so impressed, what an ambitious man, you'll go far in life in all aspects of life. This shows how much you are willing to sacrifice and the great sef-discipline and self-denial you have given yourself to reach a goal. What an inspiriation for other young people. You make the world proud 
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You have done an amazing job! It is admirable that you were able to do all that while being a fulltime student and a worker to boot. You rock!!