From Obese to Lean: a 19 Year Old's 66 Lb. Weight Loss Journey in 8 Months

A 66 lb. weight loss in under a year

At just 19 years old, Reddit user Dreadnark underwent an incredible transformation, losing a remarkable 66 lbs in just 8 months. He went from 227 lbs to 161 lbs, drastically changing his body composition and going from being obese to lean.

Clean eating, motivation, and consistent strength training

Dreadnark attributed his success to a combination of clean eating, motivation, and consistent strength training. He swapped junk food for clean, nutrient-dense options such as chicken breast, brown rice, and eggs, and this helped him to consume fewer calories overall.

Push, pull, legs (PPL) program and cardio

Dreadnark followed a push, pull, legs (PPL) program that he completed six days a week. He aimed for the 8-10 rep range in his lifts, and to lose weight, he did around 10 minutes of cardio a day. He also watched his calories, currently eating around 1600 calories a day. The workout wasn't a major factor in the weight loss, but it helped him retain muscle throughout his cut.

Tips for breaking through plateaus

Dreadnark encountered some difficulties in his journey, including plateaus, but he overcame them through perseverance and discipline. He suggests that if you find yourself in a similar situation, you should lower your calories slightly and track them more stringently. By focusing hard on what he was eating, he noticed the weight coming off. He also suggests cutting out bloating drinks and increasing protein.

The importance of setting and adjusting goals

Dreadnark had initially set his goal at 185 lbs, but as he got closer to it, he realized he still had a lot of fat to burn. He then set his sights on 160 lbs, which became his goal for the last two months of his weight loss journey. He advises others to set their goals high, but not to be afraid to adjust them as needed to be realistic yet challenging.