Robert Schulz, 48, Technical Trainer, Palmetto, FL
How much weight have you lost? 60 pounds.
Tell us what the “old you” used to be like. In my mid 20’s through my mid 30’s, I was quite athletic. I had several training partners and would weight train three to four times per week, very hard. I took a job with a company that involved quite a bit of traveling in my mid 30’s. The gym time faded away and the pounds started to add up. Nights of working late in hotel rooms and eating out all started to take their toll. Work and family continued to take their toll, including another job that involves being away quite a bit; more eating out and not exercising. I had gone from a very lean and strong 145 pounds up to a peak of around 220 pounds. It became quite easy to eat a bag of cookies or chips or a huge bowl of ice cream.
Before!
What prompted your weight loss? I started running in early 2011, and my younger brother and I decided we would do the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in January 2012. I worked hard and in January, completed the race. I was hooked and decided to continue running. He was one and out. I didn’t lose much weight, probably because of what and how much I was eating. In 2013 I decided I wanted to do my first marathon and didn’t want to run 26.2 miles with all the extra weight. I set a goal of getting down to 185 pounds by the end of the year.
How did you lose the weight? I used simple math, and took in less calories than I burned. I downloaded MyFitnessPal to track what I ate and had already been using RunKeeper to track how far I ran. I stopped buying all the boxes of cookies and other goodies all the time. I learned to read packages and read about portion size. I set an ultimate goal of 185 pounds with smaller weekly and monthly goals for my weight. If I hit that goal, great. If I didn’t, I looked at what I did that week for both activity and food, adjusted the goal and continued on. I think for many people, they make a big goal, don’t hit it, get discouraged and just give up. Making smaller goals meant that I had constant feedback for each goal. Instead of getting discouraged, I learned from what worked and what didn’t and adjusted my goal for the next week or month as well as what I was doing. I was still traveling for work, so on travel weeks (I’m usually gone a week at a time) I would set a smaller goal since I was not in complete control of all the food that was prepared. I still kept track of portion size and calories.
How long did it take? I started in March 2013. I hit 185 by July of 2013. I reevaluated where I was and decided to go for 165 by the end of the year. I was at 165 by the end of October. Again, I adjusted my goal for 155 by December. I reached that goal by the end of November and decided that would be good. I now maintain a weight of 155 to 160 pounds.
What was the hardest part? I don’t like to shop, but my clothes got bigger and I needed new clothes. My wife took me to the mall for new pants and made me go and try them on to see if they fit.
Most fun part of your weight loss? The best part was seeing myself reach each goal along the way.
Most rewarding experience? The most rewarding experience is being at my goal weight. I’ve had to learn to eat enough food now. As a runner, I burn a lot of calories and need to eat enough to maintain my weight. I still track what I eat; not to lose weight, but to make sure I eat enough.
Who/what inspires you when you feel like quitting? There’s nothing like a picture of “old me” to motivate me to be the “new me.”
How has this weight loss changed you life? I feel better, I have more energy, my blood pressure is lower and my resting heart rate is below 50 bpm.
Have any advice for others who’d like to lose weight? Set a goal and write it down. Tell others what your goal is. Now, set small attainable goals leading up to that goal. If you don’t hit the goal, don’t give up. Regroup, see what you can do and adjust your goal.
Your must-have fitness equipment. Good, properly fitting running shoes.
Favorite training song: I don’t often listen to music when I’m training. I usually listen to podcasts on topics such as technology, Disney and fitness.
Favorite healthy food: Nothing comes to mind.
Favorite not-so-healthy food: Anyone that knows me knows I have an obsession with bacon.
Future goals: I’m just over two hours for a half marathon. My next goal is to get a finish time below two hours.
Congratulations Robert! It’s common for endurance runners to keep the weight on. So happy you’ve figured out how to make your eating habits match your exercise habits. You look great! Fitz and the entire team at Fitzness.com
