Weight Loss Success: Chad Deets Discovered Group Fitness Classes And Lost 200 Pounds

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Name: Chad Deets
Age: 27
Height: 6'6"
Before Weight: 418 pounds

How I Gained It: Food was basically my friend. During elementary school I was "that kid" who everyone liked to tease. That never really changed all through high school. I turned to food as a source of comfort and a way to protect myself from everyone. No one messes with you, no matter how dorky you are, when you're the tallest and the widest kid in class. On top of it I was not active because I was overweight and couldn't really do anything. It was not uncommon for me to eat four cheeseburgers and fries, or an entire pizza, or four tacos and two burritos in a single sitting. It was a very vicious, self-fulfilling cycle!

Breaking Point: I didn't really have one of those moments you see on talk shows where I was suddenly inspired to change. After graduating from high school, I realized that the social hierarchy that exists is a load of crap. I began realizing that all the reasons I had gained the weight and stayed fat didn't exist anymore and that I did not need to continue to live my life so burdened. I wasn't able to do a lot of really basic things, like run, or sit on airplanes, or walk into a store and buy clothes off the rack -- and let me tell you, big and tall stores are ridiculously expensive!

How I Lost It: The most important thing I did first was to heal a lot of what was going on inside me. I put some of my issues to rest and made a list of reasons why I should change. I made changes to my eating habits, reducing my portions drastically and cutting back to one cheat meal a week. I did not do anything drastic or any crazy diets, it was just a matter of smarter choices. I eat lots of meals incorporating fresh vegetables. I love well-seasoned grilled chicken, smashed cauliflower and asparagus. I make meatloaf and homemade pizza, which is great because I can choose the quality and quantity of the ingredients. Eating healthy to me means all things in moderation, rather than restriction.

I always tell friends that I budget calories better than money. When I want that piece of cake, I make sure I give up something else during the day or do extra cardio during the week to help offset it. And that junk food? I still order one taco and one burrito, or one cheeseburger -- on occasion!

As far as workouts, I lost the first 80 pounds via workout DVDs and treadmills at the gym. I then switched up the DVDs and added the stairmaster and lost another 80. For my last 40 (and what's exclusively kept the weight off for over three years) I discovered Les Mills' group fitness classes (specifically BodyAttack, BodyCombat and BodyPump). I became a "groupie" very quickly and eventually became an instructor. It's been so very rewarding to give back, and go from couch potato to teaching five to seven classes a week, all while making some amazing friends and connections all over the world. Through this whole challenge, I have learned so much about myself and that people are capable of so much more then they think. Just show up, give your best effort and you will get there!

After Weight: 220 pounds

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Comments

[melissaj376]

03:18 PM on 05/31/2012

I love how he understood the emotional underpinnings of his overeating. In our culture we blame and shame the overweight rather than understanding it's so much more complicated than what goes into your mouth. Best wishes to you, Chad!

[Rachel Donnelly]

02:13 PM on 05/20/2012

This is very inspiring.

[gibby1855]

11:53 PM on 05/17/2012

I'm so very happy for you, the best of luck, you look great!

[stepman123]

08:24 PM on 05/17/2012

It WORKED YOU SCARED ME TO

[Nan9]

07:14 PM on 05/17/2012

Congrats!!! Wonderful, story of determination!! I am one who can contest, it takes time but is so well, worth it!! I lost over 100 pounds but took several years. It is not a matter of dieting, it is a new way of eating and thinking about yourself and your health. Exercise of any kind you can do, is a big plus! You'll feel like a new person! God Bless this young man!!

[wildman0228]

06:12 PM on 05/17/2012

OMG - finally an inspiring story of possibilities! Thanks for the article - pics are GREAT and congrats to all of those people. Nothing WRONG with being heavy, it is just not healthy at all and not very attractive (at least to most people).

[LeftRightCenter]

05:39 PM on 05/17/2012

job well done. be proud of yourself.

[Lane2000]

05:31 PM on 05/17/2012

Amazing how different alot of extra weight makes someone look. Good for him.

[Realitygal]

05:10 PM on 05/17/2012

Congratulations to him and everyone else in the photos who shed the pounds. It's not easy. I hope they stay inspired to keep the weight off. Kudos all around!

[HiJingo]

05:05 PM on 05/17/2012

Congrats young man...job well done. And he's absolutely correct...PORTION CONTROL is key, and allowing yourself a budget for some occasional treats is great. You don't need pills, potions, surgery, or expensive programs to lose weight and get fit. Change your eating habits and get some exercise...walking is a great way to start. Anyone can do it if they TRY.

[fat man little boy]

03:05 PM on 05/17/2012

Another example of a kid in school doing what ever it takes to stop being bullied. I just hope he stood up for all the little guys that were bullied.

[Ayesha Khan]

03:05 PM on 05/17/2012

Well done great efforts, losing 200 ponds is not a joke. For me the greatest phobia is to gain weight, i don't know how people can carry on being over weight, in case if i ever gain extra 7 to 8 pounds, i can never forgive my self until i come back to where i feel and look good. Cutting off on calorie food for me is so easy i have never given preference to eating for the sake of pleasure, cause its out comes are too senseless, and weird. Carrying extra weight on one self is a kind of self abuse, at least one must have enough will power to defeat calories.

[Blazinangel]

12:31 AM on 05/19/2012

Sometimes the reasons people are overweight is a lot more deeper than just getting pleasure from being greedy or lack of willpower. I was an average weight child until I was 11 when I was raped. After that I gained weight so that no one would look at me like that ever again. And I stayed like that for a long time until I sorted out my inner demons. Now I am a normal healthy weight but I would never look down on someone who weighs a little extra.

[hpycmpr155]

02:23 PM on 05/17/2012

Dango mango!
What a good lookin' young man!!!

[electradscending]

02:17 PM on 05/17/2012

Great job man!!! Congrats

[bmitche]

02:14 PM on 05/17/2012

Good job Chad. You look handsome. WOW, WOW, WOW.