Skeptical about how correct training + nutrition can change your life?
Look at the picture of me on the left. Yup, that’s me Byron Paidoussi, albeit a very out of shape unfit me. That picture was taken in late 2007 when I was in easily the worst shape of my life tipping the scales at over 205lbs. That weight would be fine if I was 6’3″ but I’m just shy of 5’11”, so I was carrying around 23% body fat. Kinda inappropriate considering my profession!
I was in a real rut, professionally + emotionally. Working 60+ hours per week for an abusive boss, starting clients before 5a every morning + often ending for the day at 10p, left few conscious hours for much else including meeting someone who treated me well. Instead, I stayed entirely too long in an unloving relationship (yup, made some bad decisions before Whit)! Functioning (sort of) on about 4 hrs sleep nightly, I was frequently so exhausted, I neglected my own workouts. Missing my amazing family oceans away in South Africa, I grew increasingly homesick + depressed. I justified eating tons of comfort foods + assorted junk to fill the emotional void, as well as drank alcohol far too frequently + water too infrequently. Definitely worth mentioning that I shoulda also been sponsored by Starbuck’s given my 3 daily Ventis.
All of these contributed to that bloated, out of shape, hormonally imbalanced, cranky version of me that I am truthfully terrified to share. However, I feel the opportunity to inspire others similarly dissatisfied with life + their bodies far outweighs protecting my own ego. So, I have been there, + successfully made the changes needed to look + feel the way I do today.
Now confident in silly shirtless Halloween costumes, like WWE wrestler John Cena. Whit’s Eva Marie.
One morning (after 1st good night’s sleep I’d had in long while), I woke up + decided things needed to change. Starting with my eating habits, I eliminated processed foods, sugar + most forms of simple carbohydrates, such as white rice, pasta + bread. I based my new diet around lean proteins, vegetables, whole grains + fruit. I also limited my alcohol intake to two drinks per week + coffee to one cup a day (with a sprinkle of stevia). Likewise, made my workouts a priority. I planned a six days per week training regimen that included high intensity interval weight training, followed by steady state cardiovascular exercise, ending with stretching + rolling to avoid injury. I also began playing soccer again on weekends + riding my bike along the beach path most evenings.
I began to gradually feel more like my old self + looking like a trainer/athlete again. Today I live + preach this type of healthy lifestyle to my clients, family + friends. I am living proof that it works. Just look at the photos! These days I’m around 182lbs + 8% body fat…a far cry from the unhappy, hypocritically out of shape guy I was back in late 2007. NEVER AGAIN!
