Body Transformation: 50 Never Looked So Good!

AGE 48 HEIGHT 6'3" WEIGHT 306 lbs BODY FAT 35%	AGE 50 HEIGHT 6'3" WEIGHT 182 lbs BODY FAT 4%

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I'm an overeater and needed to lose weight and get in shape to save my life. In April 2011, I made a decision to change nearly everything about my lifestyle. I decided to make a lifestyle change for three reasons:

My weight fluctuated from 240 to more than 300 pounds throughout the years. Since age 18, I've had 21 orthopedic surgeries (13 on my left knee, two on my lower back, one on my neck, both shoulders, my elbow, finger, and most recently my feet, which caused the most pain and weight gain). I gained and lost a couple hundred pounds during the past 30 years.

Many of my problems came from injuries that caused me to stop working out and fall into destructive eating habits. I wanted this to be the last time I regained weight. On April 1, 2011, I weighed 306 pounds.

I had a membership at the local Gold's Gym and decided that instead of using it 1-2 times per week I would go 6-7 times per week. I talked with a few fitness gurus, bought vitamins, and built diet and workout plans.

To kickstart my diet, I did a 7-day cleanse with a 5-day "fast" where I only drank lean shakes. After two weeks of working out on the cleanse, I lost 19 pounds.

I became motivated and decided to completely change my lifestyle, which is exactly what I did. I learned to eat correctly and used my gym membership to work out a couple times per day instead of a couple times per week. The results came fast and I started to see results.

Finding the time to balance home, work, and other life commitments was hard, but once I decided this was the lifestyle I wanted to pursue I learned to make time.

On November 10, 2011, I started my blog called I AM AN OVER EATER!!. The blog was started to help anyone looking for a place to talk about losing weight and getting in shape. I also started the blog for me as a way to hold myself accountable for my actions and health. It has kept me on track. On the blog, we help each other achieve and maintain a healthier lifestyle. In its five months of existence, more than 2,300 people have visited my blog.

Through the blog, I created a weight loss challenge called "JAM Into A Healthier You - The Chippewa Valley Challenge!" It incorporates overall lifestyle change for the community. More than 200 people joined the challenge in its first year. The 2013 challenge became a huge community event and more than 535 people joined.

On September 29, 2012, I competed in my first physique show and placed fourth. It's in my blood now, so I'm preparing for two shows. I'm going to work hard during the summer to increase my size. I plan to compete in October with long-term goals for March 2014 in Las Vegas at the Jay Cutler Classic.

Please visit my blog for many ideas and tips for how to transform your body and life.

I have read articles on Bodybuilding.com for more than a year. I love the transformations, helpful hints, and recipes for healthy foods. It can help if you eat the same foods constantly.