Jon’s T25/X3 Journey

Jon joined one of my challenge group a couple months back and to say that he is committed to reaching his goals is a giant understatement. This guys LIVES everyday with his goal at the forefront of his thoughts and actions. I have so much respect for Jon and to tell you the truth, his dedication inspires ME! I know I’m the coach and all, but I couldnt be more proud to have Jon on our team as an active example of what heart and dedication can achieve. I dont want to tell his story for him, so check out below and read how Jon overcame! He was even kind enough to give us some amazing tips for success! #5 seems to be a common thread for people who get results! 🙂 Jon’s Story In His Own Words:

During my childhood and up until late high school I was extremely heavy, I was always the big guy. In high school I became active in sports and began weight training and conditioning this continued through college and even after for several years. So for about 10years (18-28) I was the “gym rat” and all I did was lift for bulk muscles cardio was not my thing. But for most of that time I had a hard physical outside construction job that kept me very active all day long so I got away with no cardio in my workout routines. At age 28 I was weighing around 270 lbs and mostly muscle. 3 things suddenly changed, 1. I got married and had kids, 2. I got more of supervisor construction job, so I no longer did the hard work myself. 3. I stopped working out, just didn’t feel like I had the time anymore. For the 10 yrs I worked out prior I never tracked any of my nutrition and of course I certainly didn’t when I stopped working out. For the next 8-9yrs (29-37) the poor eating habits that I already had continued and even got worse, ( beer after work, late night snacks, ect…) went from a big muscular guy to a big fat guy that felt awful about himself that would get a side cramp just bending over putting on his socks in the morning. So what changed…All my 2XL shirts were tight, I could barely squeeze into my 40″ pants, everyone I saw commented on my weight not in a good way like it used to be. I was always tired no matter how much I slept. I simply felt awful health wise and didn’t even like to look into the mirror. I was not buying 3XL shirts and 42″ pants.

Aug 11, 2013 I decided I was going to lose at least 20-25lbs. So I started to use the gym under my garage that I built in 2010 when we built are new home, (Kind of funny now thinking it took me 3 yrs to really start using a gym that I was so excited about when we built it). 1st 8 weeks I just did cardio ( elliptical and bike) but worked out 6 days a week never missed, that was a huge accomplishment by itself for me and I lost 12lbs ( about 1/2 way to my original goal) and started to use MFP ( thanks to my wife) to track what the heck I was stuffing in my mouth. Then I saw T25 infomercial, I was hooked, 25 min workout 5 days a week, “oh yeah I am so doing this”. I completed T 25 and started to learn how important tracking nutrition was and most importantly lost another 30 lbs, (5lbs more than my original goal, after I lost the 1st 12lbs, 42lbs total!) Once I started my 1st beach body program and had almost instant results I have been hooked ever since, it simply amazes me how much a person can really achieve in 90 days if you set your mind to it and follow the program. I have now completed T25,Insanity, P90x3 and about a week away from starting Body Beast, and already have P90x sitting on the shelf ready to go after Body Beast.

I have currently lost 65 lbs, wear 32″ pants (which is smaller than I wore in 7th grade) and large T-shirt ( I don’t even remember the last time I fit into a large shirt, 5th-6th grade?) and feel the best I have ever felt in many years, not only physically but mentally also. I have been asked many times what your secret…is “I have no secret” Here’s how I got my results….. Step 1. I committed to working out every day “six days on 1 day off” never missed a workout.  NO matter what day it was, no matter what else was going on, I always saved time for my work out! Most importantly my family also realized how important that hour was to me, most of the time when there sleeping I was getting it done!  I only need 1 hr a day, but most times less. NO Excuses get it done. Step 2. Eat right, if I was going to bust my ass in the gym, why not fuel my body with the right food? Learned about nutrition (rippedclub helped with this, great info) , MFP is my best friend, track my intake before I even think about eating it. Plan my meals ahead at least a day but most of the time 6-7 days before hand so I could have the appropriate food in the house.  Poor planning is not a reason to mess up on my daily food intake. If I planned poorly 1 day, or simply had to cheat (just totally blew my nutrition plan) put it behind me, live in the present, can’t change the past but can control the future. I realized I couldn’t be perfect everyday but lived life as it came and adjusted most situations. If I missed my daily food intake goal for the day, try to hit a double workout that day…I have/had a lot of double workout days, Eating perfect is hard. I mess up but it is ok.

Step 3. Making this a life style change, I probably could have made this through 1 perfect 12-13 week program, but couldn’t have made it for the long haul if I didn’t accept my faults & failures…If I fail for the day I tried to make tomorrow better, that is my  new way of thinking. If I would have gave up  the 1^st time I failed like previous adventures I would have only made it for 5-6 days.  I know I am going to fail for a day but I won’t fail for the week or month. Step 4. :”Plan my nutrition & track what I stuffed in my mouth that day” If I didn’t plan to eat that food for the day I attempted not to put it in my mouth, if I failed on putting the unplanned food in my mouth at least track it, so at the end of the day I knew exactly what I eat, planned or unplanned, This was important to me so I at least had the opportunity to hit another workout to adjust at the end of the day. Step #5 Participated in monthly challenges, found other people that get it. This gave me the final push I needed. Now I have other members that post everyday there success in the gym, & motivational pics…  It’s all about consistency that gave me the results, and I realize I am still a work in progress.

Last but not least through all this I met Coach Todd and Ripped Club. He introduced me to the challenge groups which I have participated in 2 of them so far, wow that is a good way to keep accountability up. I have also meet a few very good workout buddies from these groups that really know how to push me every day. I am attempting to continue to incorporate Todd’s tips into my daily life, what a great coach and motivator. This is now my lifestyle it’s not just a 12 week diet. I am well underway on understanding the importance & what it takes to eat clean and healthy every day. I enjoy and look forward to my 5am early morning workouts, the 1st hr of everyday is “my time”, and it’s time both my wife and I have set aside for me just to focus on me. I couldn’t do this without the support of my wife and family. Thanks, Coach Todd and Beach Body for changing my life.