Jose Matos’ 150-Pound Weight Loss Transformation
No matter how you slice it, Jose Matos’ diet was a mess. The father of two often gravitated to salty, frozen and processed foods, typically eating three burgers, large fries and a giant soda as one meal. Pizza rolls were his "biggest downfall" — he could polish off a bag in one sitting. He estimated he consumed about 6,000 calories a day.
The Turning Point
It wasn’t until he developed Bell’s palsy, a mysterious neurological condition that causes half the face to seemingly droop, that Matos got serious about diet and exercise. He dropped from 525 pounds to 375 pounds, losing his need for Type 2 diabetes and blood pressure medication in the process. The Bell’s palsy also completely resolved.
Focus on Protein
Matos credits his success to prioritizing protein, limiting cravings, formulating an exercise philosophy, and leaning on a "huge" support system. He preps lunches with his wife on Sundays, choosing chicken, steak, and fish over unhealthy junk foods. Protein takes longer to digest than other nutrients, so it can help you feel fuller. It can also help preserve lean muscle mass — muscle burns more calories than fat. The Recommended Dietary Allowance is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight — or 0.36 grams per pound. For a 200-pound person, that’s 72 grams of protein daily.
Limit Cravings
Matos decided to get rid of his food triggers, especially quesadillas. "I couldn’t have cheese in the house, I couldn’t have tortillas in the house, because I would eat them," Matos said. He also avoided dining out, drinking sodas, and, for the most part, eating pizza rolls. If he desires them, he only grabs one.
Forge a Support System
Matos praises his family and colleagues, particularly his co-worker and her trainer husband, for standing by him through his weight loss journey. "They were instrumental in teaching me that this isn’t just a sprint, it’s not an overnight cure. It’s a lifetime. It’s creating lifelong habits," Matos gushed. "My support system has been huge for me."
Maintain an Exercise Philosophy
Matos started exercising by walking for half an hour. Then, he added squats to his regimen, working his way up to push-pull workouts at the gym followed by 30 minutes of cardio on a treadmill or an elliptical machine. He also adopted an exercise mantra: "I know that I have to do it and that I want to do it and I get to do it."
Conclusion
Matos’ remarkable 150-pound weight loss transformation is a testament to the power of a healthy diet, exercise, and support system. With his goal weight of 240 pounds still on the horizon, he plans to continue prioritizing protein, limiting cravings, maintaining his exercise philosophy, and leaning on his support system.
FAQs
Q: What motivated Jose Matos to start losing weight?
A: The development of Bell’s palsy, a mysterious neurological condition that causes half the face to seemingly droop.
Q: What were some of the key components of Matos’ diet?
A: Prioritizing protein, limiting cravings, and avoiding unhealthy foods like pizza rolls.
Q: How did Matos get support for his weight loss journey?
A: From his family, colleagues, and a co-worker and her trainer husband, who helped him create a support system.
Q: What was Matos’ exercise philosophy?
A: "I know that I have to do it and that I want to do it and I get to do it." He incorporated a mix of strength training and cardio exercises into his routine.
