How Losing 260 Pounds Quite Literally Saved My Life
Neal Bendesky, a.k.a. the 199 Guy, tells Men’s Health how working out with Orangetheory Fitness and committing to good nutrition have given him a new—and longer—lease of life.
I used to be a prisoner of my job as a senior sports marketing and sales executive for major professional and college teams. I had exciting, high-profile jobs, becoming a pioneer in developing a corporate partnership template that created new revenue benefits for the Miami HEAT, Florida Marlins and the University of Miami Hurricanes, the alma mater of The Rock and Rocky. Unfortunately, developing, selling, and implementing these team benefits required countless hours, and took a toll on my health.
The stress related to my job in a competitive field led to a destructive and unbalanced lifestyle with bad eating habits, chronic fatigue, and very little exercise. I spent most of my time behind a desk or at events; I didn’t even have time to see my family as much as I wanted, let alone work out. In 2014, I weighed 450 pounds. I was not living; I was a walking dead man.
My pivot point was October 12, 2015. I was 57 years old. After several weeks working out at Orangetheory Fitness, a little innocent young boy came into my life. He innocently asked me: “Are you Santa Claus?” I was wearing a 5XL red pullover jacket after an Orangetheory workout at my home studio. In that instant, that seminal second, my life transformed. I asked my Orangetheory trainer Kyle for advice, and he suggested that I learn accountability and the value of better nutrition. I then tracked my daily nutrition and set goals.
From that day I took the first step into the rest of my life. I realized that my wellness clock was ticking, and I needed to transform to have a chance to live the life that I was left on this Earth to do.
The combination of science, coaching and technology has made it easy for me to continue to “show up” at Orangetheory Fitness. Following a healthier lifestyle and achieving new goals started with significant weight loss. Initially, I set a goal of becoming the “199GUY” and lost over 199 pounds, eventually shedding 261 pounds. That’s almost six 45-pound dumbbells. Or two German Shepherds. That was five bicycles I was carrying on my back every single day!
While the weight loss has been life changing, I’ve also realized that a healthy lifestyle goes beyond the physical. I have more energy to do the things I love, and my quality of life has improved drastically. It’s the immeasurable improvements in my day-to-day that motivate me to keep going.
My transformation was around 20 percent exercise and 80 percent nutrition. I built this into my daily routine, and over six years later, it is still a sustainable method. My wellness journey consists of two basic factors: timing and moderation. It’s not about a diet, it’s about building a lifestyle that works for you in the long-term.
In my case, I learned that I wasn’t Superman. However, each Orangetheory workout is inspired by certified coaches to make sure you don’t over-train or under-train. I appreciate that their approach to health and wellness is for everybody and every body, and I was encouraged to go at my own pace. I focused on the flexibility blocks at the end of Orangetheory classes. To this day, I don’t leave my house for an Orangetheory workout without a good foam rolling session and I fuel my body with the nutrients needed to excel in a one-hour workout.
I’m grateful to Orangetheory and its unwavering commitment to its members, which have been the key factor for me during this pandemic. Three days into the first studio closures, Orangetheory corporate and franchise owners worked together to launch Orangetheory At Home, offering free workouts for members and non-members on the Orangetheory Fitness YouTube channel, Orangetheory Fitness website and Orangetheory Fitness app.
After we returned to in-person classes, their commitment to safety and social distancing continued to be an important factor for my mental health during a very uncomfortable time. I continue to set lofty goals. During the pandemic, I committed to and achieved 299 consecutive days of 11,000 steps or more, and I haven’t missed an Orangetheory workout in 2021 and am currently completing 71 straight days!
Many times you hear others speak about how their wellness journey saved their lives. In my case, it actually did. After achieving major weight loss, the first mountain conquered led to a new valley as my previous lifestyle caught up with me; I had a heart attack due to an existing hereditary issue. The doctor told me if I had not been doing what I was doing with my lifestyle changes and workouts, I simply would not be alive anymore. Nine days after two stents were implanted, I returned to training, and I set my next goal.
My total weight loss since 2014 has been 261 pounds. Prior to my transformation, I couldn’t fit into restaurant booths or airplane seats. I was a size 62 waist; now I wear a 38.
The pursuit of total fitness sometimes gets the best of us. Workouts can lead to frustration and heartbreak. There are times when we all lack focus or commitment. We all have moments of self-doubt in life. I continue to be passionate about helping others to run the race of their lives, whatever that race might be, through lifestyle transformation and I believe it starts with attitude. Your attitude is like a flat tire. If you don’t fix it, you won’t go very far!
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