Height: 5'11
Weight Lost: 90 pounds
Age: 54
Time period: 9 to 12 months
Occupation: Cycle Instructor at Onelife Alexandria.
Tim was always into health and fitness growing up, but sort of fell off the band wagon when fatherhood became a major priority in his life. At the age of 32, he welcomed his first-born child into the world with love and open arms. Two years later, at 34 years old, he would do the same with his second child. Around this time is where Tim believes his weight "really spiraled out of control," leaving him at 282 pounds.
"My kids were getting older and self-sufficient around the ages of 9 and 10 years old. So, one day after returning home from work, my daughter comes to give me a hug. She says, "Daddy, I can't get my arms around you anymore. You're fat..." I was 42 years old at the time. That made my light bulb come on!"
Tim began reminiscing about his father, who passed away at the young age of 56, due to a heart attack and struggles with diabetes and high blood pressure, which made him really focus on his health. "My brother has diabetes and high blood pressure. My mom had high blood pressure. I had borderline high blood pressure. Cancer runs in my family. All these diseases... so I really started taking note of my health and I really wanted to get back in shape. Tim admits that the journey was long and tough. In the beginning, he was working out and shedding some of the weight he gained over the years because he was consistent. However, dieting was a struggle for him. "I didn't know how to eat right, you know? If I would eat a candy bar, I would actually eat half of it and throw the other half away." Tim eventually took to the internet to learn more about eating habits that were most beneficial for his body goals.
"My weight got down all the way to about 220 pounds, from working out and eating well. People started congratulating me on my weight loss, but I still wanted to be in top, top shape. I took my first spin class in probably 2007 or 2008, and man I loved it! I took like 3 classes that week and I lost like 4 pounds. I was like OH WOW!" He quickly got his cycling certification and began teaching.
Tim stated that his fitness journey not only changed his physical appearance, but his mental state as well. "The mental was number one; basically just motivating yourself to get up and be consistent for long periods of time. But, as I get older, the number two priority is: you have to change how you work out to stay in shape. You can’t go like when you were 20-30 years old. You have to be more strategic so you don't injure yourself. My advice to people who were once where I was before my transformation is to stick with. Don't give up. Never quit. Keep pushing. Yes, you're going to fall off the wagon from time to time, but get back on that wagon as fast as you can. You will change and you will get there, just never give up."
Although it has taken some time, Tim is very fulfilled with his mind, body, and lifestyle.
“Oh my God, it is so worth it. It is just unbelievable how my life has changed and how it could've been. It’s like night and day. I remember when I was overweight and how people treated me. I see that. It really is such a remarkable thing how people treat you based on what they see, even though you still have the same personality. But one thing I've learned is that you never let someone drive your happiness. I'm purposeful with my happiness."
Living this new and healthy lifestyle has allowed Tim to live his best life. His relationship with his children has only gotten better.
"They ask me for fitness advice now! They love that their dad is in great shape and is able to be so active. There are so many men that are overweight and can't really do the things they want to do with their children. I'm just happy that they see me being viable and I'm living. I am able to be there for them, even now that their older (my son is 21 and my daughter is 18), just showing that I can be a good father to them."