Andreas’ Success Story

Why did you want to lose weight?

In November 2017, I weighed in at my heaviest with 305 lb. That completely shocked me and I made a decision. "I will start exercising again and lose weight. A lot of weight!!" My goal was 200 lb. The timeframe didn't matter, but it should happen as fast as possible.

I started on November 8, 2017. I would describe my body, at that time, as burnt out, purposeless and weak. Eating delicious food and regularly drinking alcohol definitely played a role in how I looked. I was also only walking about 3,000 steps because I was working an office job.

My mental health was also not in the best shape thanks to some family problems. In other words: I was done. I couldn't keep living like this! I owed it to myself and my family to make a change. I was only 36 years old and already suffering from sleep apnea. I had to sleep with a mask at night to counteract the disruption in my breathing.

"When should I start to change something? I think now!!!" It was November 8, 2011 and I was angry with myself. 305 lb sounded like another language. "What have I done to myself over the years?"

What did you want to accomplish on your journey?

My first goal was to figure out who I was again. To feel like myself again. I wanted to be athetlic again. I wanted to go running!! My plan was to slowly start jogging again when I was around 240 lb. That's where I got started...working on the first 60 lb.

How did you reach your goals?

I made a mental plan. I would start to keep track of what I was eating and learn to eat in moderation. I also needed to stop drinking alcohol. If I were to summarize, I would say:
- I developed the motivation to get started
- I set a goal of where I wanted to be (main goal)
- Set a daily activity goal: 10,000 steps
- Setting milestones for my weight loss was really helpful (e.g. 265 lb, then 240 lb, then start jogging)
- Change in diet (low carb)
- Cut out alcohol

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How did YAZIO help you?

With YAZIO, I could log exactly what I ate. I got a feel for the amount of food I was eating, which I never really paid attention to before. It was a really big learning moment for me to have the nutrition values listed in front of me. Personally, YAZIO really helped me keep an overview of everything and helped keep me in check on my road to success.

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Did you have setbacks?

I actually didn't have any setbacks. However, I often had plateaus. These situations were never easy. I wanted to reach my goal quickly. But after a few days of my weight going up and down, it would see a steep decrease again. With my sights set on my goal, I kept going.

What advice do you have for other users?

I want to remind everyone that we were born to run. If there is someone who can't do that because of an illness, they should find other ways to move. But I can only speak for myself. Without daily exercise and conscious eating, I wouldn't have been able to lose almost 110 lb so quickly. There are plenty of ways to exercise. For me, I started with walking the dog or taking walks on my own.

10,000 steps a day were important for me. Once I got down to 240 lb, I started jogging for short distances and then walking, always alternating. I then slowly increased the jogging distance.

What are your future goals?

I reached my goal weight, but since March 2018, I've been working towards another goal at the same time. Coincidentally, I met someone who has really helped me in terms of athletics. He sparked my interest in triathalons. I'm thankful to him for that. It came at the exact right time during my weight-loss phase. A new, additional goal.

Not long after, I signed up for a short-sprint triathalon. In the 3-month prep phase, I spent a lot of time training and lost a ton of weight. I could write a novel here about the magic of triathalon, but I think that's too much at this point. My love of the sport helped me finish my third triathalon in 2018 and continues today.

My main goal for the future is definitely to maintain my weight. I will also never give up my recaptured health again. Since I reached my goal weight, I don't need this sleep mask anymore.That, alone, is a reason not to fall back into old habits. YAZIO will continue to accompany me along my way.

My athletic goal for next year is to complete at least one olympic-distance triathalon.

Why do you want to tell your story?

I, myself, know how difficult it can be until you've finally had enough and can overcome your inner coach potato, but the most important thing is to start. I hope that I can motivate other users that haven't yet reached their goals to keep going. It doesn't matter how many days you don't see any change on the scale or if you put on weight for no reason.

Keep your eye on the prize and keep going, regardless of how long it takes. Don't be too impatient. You will reach your goal, slowly but surely. My personal motto that I always said to myself when it got difficult or I was in pain: "Get your life back."

So, get started and "get your life back!"

Start your own success story today.