This archive report was first published on 11 September 2019.
From 360 Pounds to 180: Ryan Lensman's Inspiring Weight Loss Journey ¶
For as long as he can remember, Ryan Lensman was heavy. He recalls seeing pictures from when he was young and thin, but he doesn't remember looking that way. An unhealthy diet and lack of exercise led him to hit 360 pounds, making him feel constantly sweaty and out of breath.
It wasn't until he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in October 2017 that he realized his lifestyle needed a drastic overhaul. He began by focusing on his diet, portion control, and eating lean meats like white-meat chicken and turkey. He also started eating a lot of salad and watched his carbs and sugar intake.
As he progressed, Lensman introduced cardio into his routine, starting with walking a mile a day and eventually increasing it to six miles spread throughout the day. He also started lifting weights, using a pair of dumbbells in his room every other day. This January, he joined a gym and now lifts six days a week, focusing on different muscle groups each day.
When he first started, Lensman was doing it all on his own, but he soon turned to a friend who was a former bodybuilder for help with weightlifting. He credits the constant cheering from friends and family for keeping him motivated throughout his journey.
After a year and a half, Lensman achieved his target weight of 180 pounds, losing an average of 2 pounds per week. His health has improved significantly, and so has his self-esteem. He's now in a relationship with a great girl and couldn't be happier.
Looking back, Lensman says that the scale had gotten in his head a lot, and he wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone. However, with the support of his loved ones, he's completely changed himself and learned a lot about his willpower.
