WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin NewsTestimonial: Losing 200 Pounds and More

April 1st, 2002 ... High blood pressure... high cholesterol... sleep apnea... constant lower back pain... left knee pain severe... general overall terrible attitude.

And now this new doctor. At that moment I thought that this doctor had it in for me, because she actually wanted me to see another doctor to start insulin shots. Talk about kicking someone when they are down. Poor me... I was only 425 pounds and too stubborn to realize why my health was bad.

But the reason that I remember April 1st, 2002, so well is because that was the first time that a doctor... scared me. I may be big, but needles and I don't get along, and those diabetes shots were out of the question. The weight gain stopped that day!

I tried everything... every diet, every pill, every drink along with hypnosis, powders, grapefruit, not eating, overeating, and a few things that I'm not proud of. But it all was a lesson of how not to try and lose weight. It couldn't be the Supreme Pizza that was derailing my weight loss, right?

Armed with my 6X shirt, sweat pants, and tennis shoes, I actually went for a walk on purpose. I didn't walk far but it was a start.

I purchased every book on weight loss and diet to arm myself with some knowledge and some reference point to start. As everybody knows, doing workouts by yourself lacks motivation and the push that is needed for success.

I finally broke down and went to see a nutritionist and when she got done laughing at my food journal she sent me on a healthier path.

As the first 5 1/2 years went by, I did manage to lose 100 pounds but motivation was really getting low. During those years there were a lot of set backs -- job changes, family issues, and three hernia surgeries, but I still didn't give up. Kicks in the backside are just a part of life.

Spring, 2008... I was only down to 325 pounds when a new building was built only three blocks from my house. Anytime Fitness... that close to my house!!!

Still lacking motivation, I met Shawn and Ivan. They actually talked me into "just trying something new." The new workout = new pains and aches, BUT the weight really started to come off.

Then as per usual, Brent and Ivan moved onward and upward. In comes Brent and Erin. New people = new workouts = new aches and pains. But again the weight really came off again. By the end of 2008 and in only one year, I managed to lose 89 pounds in 2008. FANTASTIC. My goal of losing a total of 200 pounds was now going to happen in early 2009.

Spoken way too soon. February 16th, 2009, gave me my fourth hernia surgery. Over the next three weeks poor Brent had to listen to my whining about not being able to work out. But 5 weeks after my surgery and under Brent's evil eyes I started to work out again. I was very angry that I gained 6 pounds during my time off.

The reason that I bring all that up is because life is always going to kick us in the backside but you can't quit. There are always going to be setbacks. You can't change that, but we can all control how we deal with it. You got to dig deep, get over it, and move on!!!!

April 19th, 2009, I finally reached and surpassed my 200 pound goal -- 204 so far.

SO what did all this get me?

1. Waist size from 54" down to 34"-36"
2. Shirt size from 6x down to L-XL
3. 425 pounds to 221 pounds... so far...
4. New and energized attitude for the best
5. A huge respect for anybody fighting the weight loss battle
6. A new wardrobe (yes, the wife loves shopping!!!)
7. No more medications
8. I am just a nicer person.....just ask me
9. The most important part is my new friendships

There are really no excuses. Anybody can do it . Just how bad do you want it???????

Little changes equal huge weight loss. There is nothing to this weight loss stuff....just ask Brent!!!!

I relied on others for help, so don't be afraid to ask for yourself. I lost an entire person when I passed that 200-pound marker and he is gone for good!!! I am a better father and husband for it.

P.S., I never gave up my Supreme Pizza... I just learned when to stop!!

                                                          BRIAN