Louis followed his own simple rules to lose weight and to maintain a fitness-oriented lifestyle

December 8 2006

Louis Dorman

-City & country: Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
-Age: 26 years old
-Weight before diet: 300 lbs. + (I went from 300+ to 155 lbs.)
-Weight now: 195 lbs.
-Target weight: maintain

Louis created his own path to weight loss and well-being by following principles that worked for him. Years after reaching his target weight, the knowledge and practices he learned along his lifestyle change journey still hold true. Exercising religiously and being consistently health-oriented are important components of his daily fitness routine.

-What finally made you decide to start with a weight loss program? 
I moved to a new city/state to go to college and I want to go back home and show everyone that I transformed into a new person. So many people made fun of me and told me I could not do pretty much most of the things that I pretty much have already succeeded in. I was motivated by looking better to attract women. I always had friends who were girls and I wanted girls who were more than friends. 

-What type of weight loss program did you follow?
I followed a diet that I pretty much created on my own. I didn't read any books or view any websites. I did what I thought would work. It was a diet that was mainly foods that were all natural and low carb. I ate a portion of protein at each meal and limited my calories towards the end of the day. I also allowed a cheat meal once a week. My workouts in the gym were usually one body part a day followed by at least 20 minutes of cardio. I also played lots of basketball and ran outside in the morning when I could.

-Why did you choose this weight loss method?
I asked a lot of questions at the gym. A trainer named Beau really helped me and gave me some knowledge I still hold firm today.

-How long were you on your weight loss program?
It took me about 1.5 years to lose about 150 lbs. About 5 years later I still maintain a lifestyle that is based on those simple "rules" that I created. I don't really call it a program - but a lifestyle. 

-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to maintain your weight and to stay fit?
It’s my religion to go to the gym in the morning at least 5-6 days a week. I love to go hiking, play basketball, run outdoors. 

-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming?
I never really had any obstacles. I was working full time and going to college full time. I made fitness and eating healthy a priority in my life and made my daily schedule reflect my goals of losing weight. I never made any excuses and was confident that if I was consistent the weight would come off. 

-How did you keep yourself motivated?
Every time I even thought about quitting - I would think of all the reasons why I was doing this. That would give me the fuel to not give up and pushed me to finish.

-Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?
Consistency is the #1 factor in success. It’s not the diet or the workout, it’s being consistent and believing that limits only exist in your mind.

-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening?
Nope, I made this my lifestyle. The goals that I have achieved are enough reasons why I should continue to live life fitness-minded. 

-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helped or inspired you to lose weight?
http://www.vivalafitness.com/ is a weblog community I started to help people with the same common goal (fitness) to motivate each other.