How I Lost 100lbs in 5 Months

Summary

In this reflective and humorous video, Will revisits his past weight loss journey, sharing his daily routines, eating habits, and exercise regimen that led to rapid weight loss. He candidly discusses his unhealthy methods, like using caffeine to skip meals and focusing on cardio over strength training. Will reflects on his struggles with self-image, detailing the emotional highs and lows of the experience. Along the way, he shares tips on healthier approaches, emphasizing balance and self-love while injecting humor and nostalgia into his storytelling.

Takeaways

• 📉 Will lost weight rapidly, but not in a healthy way. His mood and actions were largely dictated by his daily weight fluctuations.
• 📏 Daily weight measurement became an unhealthy obsession for Will, affecting his daily routine and mental state.
• 🥣 Will's breakfast routine involved eating Cinnamon Life cereal and pineapple, which left him hungry. He later realized he should have focused more on protein and fats, like eggs.
• ☕ Will used caffeine as an appetite suppressant, often skipping meals and relying on coffee to avoid eating.
• 🏃‍♂️ He ran daily to burn calories but didn't focus on strength training, which would have been better for body composition goals.
• 💪 Will’s workouts were inefficient, focusing mostly on arms without a balanced strength-training regimen, which affected his results.
• 🍽️ His dinner, typically made by his mom, consisted of chicken breast and salad. He had an unhealthy fear of carbohydrates at night, believing carbs after dark were harmful.
• 🧪 Will’s father secretly added olive oil to his post-workout smoothie to increase calories, which Will didn’t realize until later.
• 🧊 Will developed unhealthy rituals like eating ice to curb hunger and did many things to please others rather than focusing on his own well-being.
• 💬 Reflecting on his journey, Will advises viewers not to base their self-worth on external validation and to focus on personal health and happiness.

Q & A

What was the narrator's morning routine during his weight loss journey?

The narrator’s morning routine included hitting the snooze button multiple times, weighing himself daily, and eating a consistent breakfast of Cinnamon Life cereal and pineapple. His weight dictated his mood and food choices for the day.

Why does the narrator discourage focusing on daily weigh-ins?

He discourages focusing on daily weigh-ins because weight fluctuates due to various factors like sleep, stress, and what was eaten the previous day. He suggests taking a weekly average instead to see a downward trend over time.

What did the narrator realize he should have done differently for breakfast?

He realized he should have removed the cereal and kept the eggs in his breakfast for more fat and protein, which would have kept him full longer.

How did the narrator use caffeine during his weight loss journey?

The narrator used caffeine, particularly black coffee from Starbucks, as an appetite suppressant. He relied on it to skip meals, which he now acknowledges as unhealthy since coffee contains very few calories.

What was the narrator's experience with running during his weight loss journey?

The narrator ran the same route every day, constantly pushing for a personal record. While this helped him burn a lot of calories, it took a toll on his knees, body, and overall recovery.

What did the narrator’s dad do to support his fitness journey?

The narrator’s dad got him into lifting weights and created a workout routine that focused heavily on arm exercises. He also made the narrator a post-workout protein smoothie that secretly included olive oil to help him bulk up.

What changes did the narrator make to his dinner as he became more aware of his nutritional needs?

Initially, the narrator was afraid of carbs and would avoid sweet potatoes and limit his portions. Later, he embraced carbs and protein, focusing on a more balanced meal, which included more chicken and sweet potatoes.

What was the narrator’s nighttime ritual during his weight loss journey?

The narrator’s nighttime ritual involved eating a large cup of ice, which he enjoyed for its firm texture. This became a nightly habit that helped him cope with hunger and cravings.

What was the narrator's reflection on his motivation for losing weight?

The narrator reflected that he was losing weight for the wrong reasons, primarily for external validation and not for himself. He realized that self-acceptance and confidence should not be based solely on weight.

What does the narrator advise for people who are unhappy with their current weight?

The narrator advises that just because someone is unhappy with their current weight, it doesn't mean they can't change. He encourages people to work towards a healthier version of themselves while focusing on self-love and doing things for themselves rather than for others.