I originally published this in 2017, and since then, I’ve done a fairly good job maintaining my weight. It all boils down to discipline, maintenance, and accountability. Am I where I want to be with my weight right now? No, but I’m hoping to work on it. By revisiting this blog, I hope to reinspire myself—and inspire all of you—to take small but meaningful steps toward better health.
I know, I know—my blog is only a few days old, and here I am posting something that sounds like clickbait. But hear me out: people are always asking how I lost so much weight. And with a new year underway, many of you are tackling resolutions and thinking about your health. So, I thought now would be a perfect time to share my story—not to preach, but to inspire.
Let’s get one thing straight: I’m not here to tell you why you need to lose weight or how you should go about doing it. That’s between you and your doctor. I’m not a doctor or a dietitian, and to be honest, I didn’t even consult one before starting. I was simply tired of being overweight and wanted to prove to myself—and maybe others—that I could make a change.
This is my story.
Where It All Started
At my heaviest, I was hovering around 300 pounds. My highest “official” weigh-in was 298 pounds on a scale I bought at the start of my journey, but I’m certain I crossed the 300-pound mark at times. Here’s a photo from the summer of 2014, about a year before I finally said, enough is enough.
In 2015, I stumbled across a “diet”—or rather, a lifestyle—that finally clicked. It didn’t cost a dime, though some might consider it a bit extreme. Ultimately, it worked. Maybe it was my newfound willpower. Maybe it was a sense of determination I hadn’t felt before. Whatever it was, it set me on a path I never thought I’d take.
What Did I Do?
Before summer 2015, I discovered the Whole30 Challenge. If you’re not familiar, it’s a 30-day program that eliminates added sugars, grains, dairy, and processed foods from your diet, focusing instead on whole, unprocessed foods. For those 30 days, I ate plenty of meat and vegetables, with some fruit and nuts sprinkled in.
Was it challenging? Absolutely. But I had everything I needed to succeed:
• Support from friends and family.
• Guidelines from the program.
• Motivation to finally take control of my health.
What I needed to bring to the table was willpower—and a willingness to make more trips to the grocery store than I was used to.
How It Worked
For the first six months, I focused entirely on what I ate. The Whole30 Challenge, though designed as a 30-day reset, became the foundation of a longer-term lifestyle. It transitioned seamlessly into what’s commonly known as Paleo. By sticking to these principles, I lost about 80 pounds in six months—just through diet.
After the first month, I dropped 20 pounds. Sure, much of it was probably water weight (carbs cause the body to retain water), but seeing that number on the scale was all the motivation I needed to keep going. Over the next few months, I lost an additional 60 pounds.
Then I hit a plateau.
Introducing Exercise
By this point, I had more energy than I’d had in years. I felt great and wanted to do more. So, I started walking. Nothing intense—just short walks around my apartment complex, usually 30 minutes at first.
Soon, I found myself walking longer distances, sometimes up to 1–1.5 hours a day. I made a game out of it, challenging myself to walk a little farther or a little faster each day.
Before I knew it, another six months had passed, and I’d lost an additional 40 pounds. That brought my total weight loss to 120 pounds in one year.
What’s Next?
After that first year, I continued to focus on physical fitness, adding weight training and even running to my routine. From a diet perspective, I’ve largely stuck to a Paleo-ish lifestyle, with occasional indulgences for holidays and special occasions.
Was it easy? Not always. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Am I done? Not a chance.
I still go for walks regularly, and I still enjoy the occasional non-Paleo treat—like the cookies I’ll be walking off after I finish this blog post.
So, to anyone out there thinking about making a change, know that it’s possible. It won’t always be easy, but the results are worth it.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading! This is my story, but I hope it inspires you to start or continue your own journey, whatever that may look like.
And as always, consult with your doctor before starting any new diet or exercise program.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for that walk.
– Sean
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