31st of December 2009
I was looking at the mirror after a shower and was not pleased with the view.
My BMI spiked to 38, I was out of a Job, felt miserable and decided:
“Next year I will lose the weight, look amazing, feel energetic and get my life back!”
My overweight caused that I did not have the energy to exercise...
And the lack of exercise caused that I became more over weight.
I spiraled down wards and became more and more unhappy with myself...
When I was 17 years old I was fanatically engaged in weight training, basketball, judo and bodybuilding. I used to be a bodybuilder and in shape most of the time.
I felt fit and healthy and had a lot of energy.
But that changed gradually through my hectic job as a financial controller and accountant.
I had little time to keep my body in shape. Because of traveling I ate less and less healthy.
Only after I spent three months in a cast because of a torn Achilles tendon followed by a burnout, I found the strength to change my life...
It felt like I hit a wall.
I had to change...
I had to loose the extra weight...
However in 2007 my father died of cancer.
To avoid the feeling of missing him, I started to eat, stayed in the job I hated and was feeling more and more miserable by the day.
In 2009 I collapsed, I could not work anymore and was diagnosed with extreme burn out symptoms.
My whole body was cramped, some days I could just lie in bed and do nothing all day and still have a feeling of extreme fatigue.
That year I changed my life in my mind. Something had to change or I would die young.
As a bodybuilder I started reading about nutrition and supplements at a young age already.
However nutrition was mainly focused on muscle growth. Health had not been a major consideration.
When my father was diagnosed with cancer that started to change, at least my interest considering what was healthy.
And who to listen to…
In the field of nutrition there are so many “experts” how can you decide who is right.
So I started reading, studying all kind of fields in the area of nutrition & supplements.
What could I do to cure my dad? That was my main focus.
My father was a Conventional Medical Doctor. He observed what I did, however with all my good intentions he died.
What did change was my interest in life. How could I help people to change their lives with Nutrition, Supplements, Sports & definitely Mindset as well.
I read every book I could get my hands in, started a course Orthomolecular Therapist & Integrative Holistic Health Coach at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York.
However it was not until that 31st December 2009 that I made the decision, tomorrow is going to be the first day I will change my life forever!
I started to implement the things I read. My weight was 287 lbs / 130 kg & my BMI 38 (extremely overweight) definitely in the danger zone.
I started a workout regimen again. And tried a lot of the diets I read about. Some worked, most did not.
I took pills, shakes, the works...but most didn't work...
Sound familiar?
However by changing the diet and measuring results, I was able to pin down how you can lose weight in a healthy & effective way.
I noticed that there are several key points that help to get the job done. Habits are one of them.
I changed my breakfast habit, I started to drink other beverages then before. Made sure my body was able to de-stress.
I decided on 1st January 2009 that I was going to run a marathon that year!
I decided to run the marathon in Athens. I was accompanied by a professional sports coach and went to look for information on nutrition, exercise and relaxation.
I wanted back:
A good health
More Energy
Minimal stress
By the time I ran my marathon I lost 84 lbs
1st January 2010. I weighed 172 lbs / 78 kg.
In 1 year I lost 115 lbs, my BMI was 22 and I felt AMAZING, Energetic and ALIVE again.
By that time I decided this would be my mission, educate people how to change their lives by changing their lifestyle.