SUCCESS STORIES- SEAN C.

Posted February 25, 2014

BEST DECISION IN 10 YEARS!!

Putting into words the experiences I have had over the past few weeks is difficult. Not so much to say or share, but to truly communicate in a way that can be more than understood… but felt. A few weeks before joining Crossfit Oahu and starting the Paleo Diet, my wife and I took a weekend trip to San Francisco for our 10 year honeymoon. In our hotel bathroom, we found a scale. It had been a while since I had hoped on one and was curious to see what it had to say. To my disbelief, my weight had climbed to nearly 230 lbs, the heaviest I could ever remember weighing. No doubt that by the time we got home a few days later, even more damage had been done after trips to Giradellis and two days spent in Napa Vally.
After returning, my mother came from Houston to visit. Within a week of her stay, she was struggling with walking after time spent eating out with me so many times. While she was here, we went to a family party where my brother-in-law Marc was telling us both about how amazing the expansions attire downtown CFO were going. It was that night that I decided to sign up for the elements class that was starting a week away…This may turn out to be the best decision I’ve made in the past 10 years.

After a few sessions with Coach Ian in elements, I truly came to know just how out of shape I was. He and Marc started telling me about how the best work I could do, would always be undermined by my dietary habits. In Ian’s words,”You can’t outwork at crappy diet.” Both suggested I look into The Paleo Diet and within a week I was reading the book and trying out some of the rules.

That was the second weekend of August – and I haven’t looked back!

Within the first two (difficult) weeks, I lost close to 10 lbs. and could already see the changes in my face. After 30 days, I had lost nearly 25 lbs. and was nearly at 200 lbs. family and friends were taking notice and everyone was asking me what was going on.

I came into the challenge with a running start, however, there was still much to learn and lose. You see up to that point I was still not fixing my own food, was having my “cheat” meals occasionally and hadn’t yet gotten around to giving up my dairy and salt. The challenge changed all that. The only way I was going to make it through was to get serious and get help. My wife and daughter were the first to get on board.

I can still remember sitting at the dinner table wanting so badly to have just a sip of wine when my four-year-old begged me not to cheat. ”Don’t cheat Daddy. You can do it. I know you’re not a cheater!” Talk about motivation!

In the end, I’ve lost nearly 50 lbs. since that fateful day in early July in that SF hotel. I’ve gone from over 24% body fat down to a respectable 17% at 180 lbs. Most importantly, it’s the sense of accomplishment and self-confidence that have been the most rewarding.

I didn’t do it alone however, I’m grateful for the help of my coaches Marc, Ian, Courtney and Gil. My co-worker John who’s also a Paleo/CFO mentor. Most especially my Wife and daughter who have provided me with all the inspiration, motivation and support I could ask for.

Now it’s time for the real work to begin!

Sean C.