This archive report was first published on 12 September 2019.
William Underwood, a 27-year-old from London, England, embarked on a remarkable weight loss journey in February 2019. Weighing 196 pounds at the time, he set a goal to reach 168 pounds by September.
Underwood's previous experience with weight loss, having shed 116 pounds from 270 pounds to 154 pounds during his university years, motivated him to try again. He calculated his maintenance calories and established a caloric deficit to achieve his goal weight, allocating 30 percent of his calories from carbs, 30 percent from fat, and 30 percent from protein.
He tracked his diet using MyFitnessPal and focused on a vegetarian diet consisting mainly of plants and eggs. Underwood's workout routine consisted of five weight sessions a week, with cardio two to three times a week. He would hit the weights for about an hour in the morning before work and 30 minutes of cardio after work.
Despite the challenges, Underwood remained committed to his goal. He had to give up butter, a personal favorite, and avoid becoming over-obsessed with his diet. His girlfriend's support helped him stay motivated and keep things in perspective.
After eight months, Underwood exceeded his goal, losing 35 pounds. He shared his accomplishment with his mother, who was initially worried about his weight loss but eventually proud of his progress.
Looking back, Underwood is proud of his results, citing improved organizational skills, self-discipline, and delayed gratification. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process and not making it miserable.
