Successful Weight Loss Journey: M/31 Lost 27 Lbs

Introduction

Meet renegade_yankee, a Reddit user who at 6’2” and 220 lbs was looking to make a change. After losing weight in quarantine, the user hoped the weight gain the user experienced was from building muscle, not from putting fat back on.

The Weight Loss Journey

Renegade_yankee started with low-intensity cardio, then moved onto weight lifting, and finally incorporated high-intensity interval training (HIIT) into the user's routine. Up until this point, as the user states, “My diet was nothing special, I just tried to keep track of calories and portion sizes with MyFitnessPal.” The user stuck to a 1600 calorie diet, but the user discovered, while still losing weight, the user's energy and strength were decreasing. Once the user raised the user's caloric intake to 1800-2000 calories, while still keeping track of everything with MyFitnessPal, the user began to feel better overall.

The Plateau

As many weight loss enthusiasts know, hitting a plateau is extremely frustrating. Renegade_yankee was no exception. The user hit a plateau at around 200 lbs, but what worked for the user was taking a week off from tracking calories to eat entirely intuitively. The user increased calories slightly, ate when the user was hungry, and stopped when the user was full. After the user went back to tracking calories, the weight started to come off once again.

The Results

Despite dealing with a plateau and some weight gain after quarantine, renegade_yankee was able to lose a total of 27 lbs. The user's family began to notice the physical changes, and the user was able to run a mile in under 10 minutes. The user says, "I was starting to feel like running a mile straight wouldn’t be something I’d ever achieve in my life.” The user suggests keeping your head up, even when progress seems to slow down, as it will show results in due time!

Conclusion

Renegade_yankee's weight loss journey is inspiring and educational for anyone looking to lose weight. The user was honest about the user's struggles, talked about the techniques that worked well, and kept a positive attitude throughout. While weight loss is difficult, it is possible. Trying a multitude of techniques, being patient with oneself, and consistent progression towards goals is the recipe for success. Persistence, experimentation, and an open mind also contribute to a successful weight loss journey.