This archive report was first published on 16 July 2019.
Small Changes Helped This Guy Lose 50 Pounds and Get Shredded ¶
Brandon Lim, a 21-year-old student and personal trainer from northern Virginia, was once a competitive bodybuilder who weighed nearly 225 pounds. However, after a broken wrist derailed his bodybuilding career, Lim found himself struggling with weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle.
"I saw this bloated, heavy stomach sticking so far out," Lim recalls. "Right there I knew I wanted to change my lifestyle."
Lim's journey to losing 50 pounds and getting in shape began with a drastic change in his diet. He threw out all the highly processed, sugary foods he had and started eating whole, natural ingredients like whole oats, salads, and chicken.
Along with his new diet, Lim trained six days a week, with Sunday being his dedicated rest day and "detox" in the sauna. It took him six months to lose the weight, but the results were transformative.
"The best way I can tangibly describe the difference would be to imagine that you're running with a 30-pound weighted vest and 10-pound dumbbells in each hand. Then, in a split-second, drop all the weight you're carrying while you continue to run," Lim says. "The rush of oxygen, feeling of lightness, and the physical stress removed is finally running through your system, and it feels pretty amazing."
Lim's weight loss journey also brought him newfound respect and confidence. He credits his success to envisioning himself at his goal and truly believing in himself and his vision.
"My advice for anyone—whether you're brand new to the gym or a hardcore advanced powerlifter—is that you must truly envision yourself at that end goal," Lim says. "It's imperative that you can picture yourself accomplishing whatever unique goal you have."
