Healthy Lifestyle Challenge: Brad Lewis

1/28/10 Posted in 2010 Healthy Lifestyle Challenge Brad Lewis  |  0 Comments

The 2010 Healthy Lifestyle Challenge will follow our three contestants over the course of the first six months of 2010 as they begin their journey to a healthy lifestyle. Each participant has been placed under the care of local personal trainers and dietitians who will help them reach their health and fitness goals.

Brad Lewis: February 2010 Full Interview

Age: 40 Home: Lansing Occupation: Consultant
Weight: 272 pounds Ribs: 46.5 inches Waist: 48.0 inches Hips: 46.5 inches

“Laura has been a huge encouragement to me and if it was not for her I would not be doing this today.”
From Left: Brad with his girlfriend, Laura

What was your initial reaction when you found out that you were selected for the 2010 Challenge?

Extremely excited! I have been struggling with my weight for the past 10 years and I feel this is exactly the push I need to lose the weight and keep it off for good. I am going to be 40 this January, and I am ready to start living a healthy lifestyle.

How did your friends and family react?

They are excited for me. They know it has been hard for me to lose weight and to keep it off, so they are all behind me and will be cheering me on the whole way. I have a strong set of friends, and my girlfriend is amazing and will be working out with me the whole time.

Why did you enter the Challenge?

I entered the challenge to change my life. As I mentioned earlier I am turning 40 in January and for me to live the life I want to I need to lose this weight and keep it off for good. I have watched the Biggest Loser show the past couple of seasons, and I figure if those guys can lose all that weight I should be able to do it too.

What are your goals for the first month?

My goal for the first month is start eating the right way, start taking the vitamins and to lose 10-15 pounds.

What are your long-term goals?

I want to be able to adopt a plan that I can continue throughout my life.

What workout routine has your personal trainer suggested?

I am going to start on my Phase One Foundational Routine with Justin. This will consist of 3-days a week of full body workouts. This will focus on foam rolling, stretching, mobility, and balancing out the body with correctional exercises, and functional strength and core training. Eventually power movements with kettlebells and medicine balls will be added and a specific Interval Cardio training protocol designed for fat burning needs. Justin will eventually add in some Metabolic Circuit Training to further enhance my fat burning, muscle building and conditioning once I am in good enough shape to handle it. I also like to play a lot of pick-up basketball, so that will be a fun bonus to my workouts.

What kind of diet or types of food has your dietitian suggested?

Fish oil, Udo’s 3-6-9, New Chapter Men’s Multi Vitamin, 100 oz of water a day including 10-16 oz of mineral water. Eating 5 times a day, and being sure to start with a good breakfast.

What will be the biggest hurdle you have to overcome during the Challenge?

I feel that my biggest challenges will be constancy with both workout routine and nutrition. If I want to do well in this challenge I must be consistent throughout the whole challenge. This doesn’t mean that I have to be perfect. What it means is that when I get knocked down, I need to dust myself off and get back on the right track. Staying positive and sticking to the game plan is the biggest challenge.

What do you think you will be the best at during the Challenge?

Workouts! No question about that, I love getting in the gym and working out, it is such a good feeling when you are done.

Trainer: Justin Grinnell, State of Fitness, East Lansing

What type of exercise program are you suggesting for your contestant?

I am going to start Brad our on my Phase one Foundational routine. This will consist of 3-days a week of full body workouts. We will focus on foam rolling, stretching, mobility, and balancing out the body with correctional exercises, and functional strength and core training. I will also add some power movements with kettlebells and medicine balls, and he will also start a specific Interval Cardio training protocol designed for his fat burning needs. I will eventually ad in some Metabolic Circuit Training to further enhance fat burning, muscle building and conditioning once he is in good enough shape to handle it. Brad also likes to play a lot of pick-up basketball, so that will be a fun bonus to his workout routine.

How can you help your contestant reach their health and fitness goals?

I will be here for Brad anytime he needs me. Even though we only meet once a week, I will be his go to guy for questions, guidance, and support. I am going to expect a lot from brad, and he knows that I will not cut him any slack. Brad is an athlete and he likes to be pushed. Keeping him in a positive environment is important to me, so I will constantly be encouraging him to work harder, and never give up. Not only do I want to help him lose weight, I want him to make life long lifestyle changes to help him forever!

What do you think is the biggest challenge your contestant will have to face?

I feel that Brad’s biggest challenges will be his Constancy with both his workout routine and nutrition. If you want to do well in this challenge you must be consistent throughout the whole challenge. This doesn’t mean that he has to be perfect. What it means is that when he gets knocked down, he needs to dust himself off and back on the right track. Stay positive and stick to the game plan, that is the biggest challenge.

Overall, how do you predict your contestant will do in the Challenge?

I feel that Brad is ready to make a change. He is unhappy with his health right now, and he is very motivated to change. He has a lot of people out there that are ready to push him and support him. I will be treating Brad like one of my pro athletes. I feel he will respond well this way because he is a competitor, and wants to win! I have no doubt Brad will meet and exceed him goals and potential.

Please include anything else you would like to add below.

I am excited to show Brad that he can be in the best shape of his life. Show him how to implement cutting edge workout routines that are fun and effective, and help him change his overall lifestyle habits. I want to show him that anything can be done at any age, and no goal is to big or small. I will do whatever I can to have him win the challenge, but more importantly, win a healthier life!

Dietitian: Sherlyn Hogenson, MS, RD, Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital, Charlotte

What changes in nutrition or eating habits are you suggesting for your contestant?
Prior to our first meeting, Brad has already made significant changes in his eating behaviors. For the past week and a half, he has cut down on portion sizes and has selected restaurants/fast food places that carry healthier options. He has chosen healthier foods and has decreased his intake of Mountain Dew. He has also started eating breakfast! During this next week, Brad will be keeping a food log. We will work on a food plan based on a calorie requirement for weight reduction of approximately 2400 calories per day. This will give Brad an idea of just how much food he needs for working out and losing weight at a safe rate of 2 – 2½ pounds per week. A MedGem test will be performed to see if the calorie level needs adjustment.

How can you help your contestant reach their health and weight loss goals?

Brad has requested that we make the supermarket tour a priority. He would like to do more cooking at home, but claims that he has no idea what foods to purchase and is not in the habit of reading food labels. At our second session, we will meet at the grocery store, practice reading labels, select some food items to be used for quick meals to be prepared at home, so he can reduce the number of meals eaten at fast food restaurants. We’ve looked at a 2-volume set of Quick & Healthy Cookbooks that he may decide to use in this process. We will meet at least two times a month, with Brad’s questions prompting the topics we explore over the next 6 months. Brad will also attend group sessions in the New Outlook program to learn about nutrition and behavioral strategies.

What do you think is the biggest challenge your contestant will have to face?

Brad’s biggest challenge will be to break old habits. We will work on strategies for making long-term behavioral changes.

Overall, how do you predict your contestant will do in the Challenge?

Brad is highly motivated to lose weight and live healthier. I predict that he will do the necessary work to succeed in this Challenge and reach his goals.

Please include anything else you would like to add below.

Brad’s goal is to lose 60 to 70 pounds over the next 6 months.

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