Member: Brenton Ogden

What was the final straw that got you motivated to get to the gym and lose weight?
I can remember my exact moment I decided I needed to change my lifestyle. I was in my freshman year of college; I was just walking back from a Jack in the Box across from my campus. I was walking up a flight of stairs when I felt my chest pounding, my inner thighs chaffing and I was out of breath. Here I was, light headed, wearing a shirt with the sleeves cut off because my arms tore the t-shirt sleeves, and I was barley up 2 flights of stairs. I played sports my entire life and to feel myself this out of shape was numbing. I knew I had to turn my life around.

What was your heaviest weight and what do you weigh now?
The heaviest I ever got to was around 325lb. I currently weigh around 190.

What is your routine for the gym/nutrition?
My routines have changed throughout the years. I incorporate all types of exercises from going on hikes, running on the board walk, lifting weights, and practicing yoga 2-3 times a week. I try to mix up my routines as often as possible to stave off boredom and to keep my body guessing. My Nutrition is probably the biggest issue I have when it comes to my lifestyle change. I tried all those gimmicks out there but to no avail, I would just relapse into my old eating habits. I found though through will power and developing an easy routine to follow over time the easiest way for me to maintain a lifestyle with which I’m happy with. I eat healthy but I also strongly believe in a relaxing, treat yourself day. Sometimes the rewards are just carrots and peanut butter, but if I feel like I want to indulge I always try to incorporate a portion rule. I clench my fist to size up my portion and anything bigger than that I try to refrain from eating.

Quotes/motives to live by and keep you going?
A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.
- Ayn Rand
Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.
- Thomas Jefferson

What advice do you have for our members who are going through similar situations?
My advice for anyone on the journey to better themselves is to not give up. Set small goals and over celebrate when you achieve them. You accomplished what you set out to do, why not be proud of yourself. People compare themselves to what they see in the media and weigh their self-esteem upon those false idols, the perception of what the perfect body image is. I threw off these shackles and lost weight at the pace I felt was right. I stumbled and fell, regressed and procrastinated. But I am human, we all make mistakes and I wasn’t going to let a little pessimism get in my way of my goal. It has taken me over 5 years to get where I am today but I am confident more than ever in my abilities knowing I had the power to get myself here. That power is within everyone, just dig deep and find it and the possibilities are endless.