Member Success Stories: Brian Pelletier
October 10, 2010 - 408 lbs. --> October 10, 2012 - 240 lbs.
"Where do I begin"? The question I asked myself on October 10th, 2010.
Having been a big person since elementary school, I think it was just something I accepted; like I was supposed to just be this big guy, and that's just how it was going to be. I still felt pretty good about myself, and I could still get off the couch and be active when I wanted to be, and never really concerned myself with my health. Did I know I was fat? Of course, I was buying clothes in a Big and Tall store and the shirt sizes had 5 X's in front of the L. It was obvious to me, and everyone around me, but as many times as people tried to intervene for my benefit, there was nothing anyone could have done for. There was only one way I was going to change my life, and that was when I was ready to do it for myself. This day, October 10th, is the day I realized I was fooling myself. I was no longer feeling good, healthy, or anything closely resembling those things. It was time for a change, and it was time to do it for me. So I asked myself, “Where do I begin"?
I researched various diets and one thing seemed the same about them all.
They all end. And when they do, they all fail. I didn't need a short term fix; I needed a life change - something permanent. I found a website called www.myfitnesspal.com. It was a free, calorie counting website that offered advice, goal tracking, and information, but most importantly, support from other people, fighting the same battles, and going through the same struggles. It was so easy to track my calories, come up with a plan and to find others to be inspired and motivated by. I told myself that one day I would be the one to inspire and motivate others, like so many have done for me. A few weeks in, I was doing great and I was committed, but it was still not enough. I needed exercise! Did I just say that? I couldn't believe that I, the laziest man on the planet, was looking for exercise. So the time came to find a gym, and to be honest, the choice was easy. I had tried other "franchise" gyms, and hated my experience, so there was only one option for me, and that was Fore Court. I came in on a Friday night, and I was scared to death. I was a 408 lb. man, with no idea what the heck I was doing, and I feared walking into a gym would put all eyes on me. When you are as big as I was, you constantly feel like you are the center of attention, and that all eyes are on you, for all the wrong reasons. I never felt that at Fore Court. It was as if people didn't see this Big Guy invading their space, but they saw a man who was working his butt off alongside them, and I felt like I was quickly accepted into mix.
I started on the elliptical machine, doing strictly cardio.
Coupled with my new, healthier eating habits and the hard work, the weight started to melt off. I still wasn't satisfied however. As I kept doing my research, and getting more advice, all signs pointed to weight training. I began lifting weights as well as cardio, and that's when great things started to happen. Now I in no way consider myself an expert, and I still probably do all the wrong things, but right or wrong, it was working. I was burning fat, gaining muscle, and I felt better than I have ever felt in my life.
Fast forward two years.
I have lost 160 lbs. as of writing this. Without the "family" atmosphere at Fore Court, I never would have been able to keep up. It's great to walk in and be called by your name, and even better when someone recognizes your hard work. I will always remember when Brian Morin called me one day, simply to tell me that I was doing a great job, and that he was leaving a free T-shirt in my locker. I thought that was the coolest thing anyone had ever done for me. He left a small note with the shirt that said, "Keep up the great work....Fitness is for Life". It's on my fridge at home, and I look at it every day. It's the little things like this that will forever keep me as loyal member of the Fore Court family.
I haven't even scratched the surface of all Fore Court has to offer.
I still would love to take a spin class, group power, play racquetball, and do personal training from Mark. But like most, I struggle to find the time. Between work and having a newborn baby boy at home, priorities change. But my goals have not. I will take these classes, and I will continue living my healthy lifestyle.
The best advice I can give someone…
…is to understand that the bad days happen and sometimes the motivation goes away, but one bad day doesn't ruin your progress. I still manage to squeeze in some junk food and I like to drink a cold beer just as much as the next guy, but I understand that I can't do it as often as I want to, if I want to stay on track. I still have more weight to lose, I still have goals that I am chasing, and there is so much more that I want to do, and I will accomplish them all, here at Fore Court.
