What’s your name? (First and last names, pretty please)
Bill Hogan
Tell us a little about you in 5 sentences or less. Where are you from? Are you a parent? What are your hobbies? Anything unique about your life that you want to share?
Born in Nashville, grew up in Fort Smith Arkansas and graduated from Oklahoma State and later moved to Ruston, LA. My wife Kelly and I have two daughters, Natalie, and Taylor who are in their 20s. I’m a golfer and a Crossfitter. I love doing yard work and cooking for my family and friends. I am the President and CEO of a true community bank.
What led you to join Stronger U?
January of 2018 my weight topped out at 242. I was working out 5 to 6 times a week and getting bigger and bigger. I sent a text to a group of friends with a picture of my feet on a scale reading 242. My friend Doug McMahon replied that he had the answer if I was ready to listen. A week later I was logging food and working with Matt Dustin.
What dieting experience have you had previous to Stronger U? Was there a reason you were or were not successful? Why did you stop?
I’ve done a variety of diets over the past 30 years and I’ve had some success in losing weight but I’ve never kept it off.
It’s clear Stronger U worked for you. Why do you think Stronger U worked so well when other programs or diets may have not?
Stronger U is a legitimate lifestyle change. You work on your food, you work on sleep, and start to learn how every choice you make impacts everything else. So you have more incentive to truly take care of yourself. Along with all of that, it’s sustainable!
Can you give some insight into your eating habits BEFORE joining Stronger U?
I never ate breakfast. I was always eating too many carbs and fats, which I didn’t know until I started logging. And I wasn’t eating near enough protein, another thing I didn’t realize until I started logging.
Now that you’ve joined Stronger U, how have your eating habits changed?
Love to eat clean and I appreciate the knowledge I have gained.
If you exercise or train for a sport, what does a typical week look like? Did Stronger U have any impact on your decision to start exercising or training for a sport?
I was already working out a lot, so the changes I noticed were more based on my performance at CrossFit and on the golf course. I’ve got more energy, I notice I recover more quickly, and I feel so much stronger in the gym. Experiencing all of that while losing weight has been incredible.
How much weight did you lose with Stronger U?
35 lbs in 24 weeks.
How did your waist measurements change with Stronger U?
I was a 38 and now 34 pant size
What were 3 major non-scale victories you experienced with Stronger U?
- Running more easily.
- Eating the foods that I love and not feeling any guilt around it
- Generally feeling great each and every day. I don’t get winded going up stairs, I don’t struggle to find clothes that fit, and I have more confidence in anything that I want to do.
Has your change in body weight or composition improved other areas of your life? If so, explain what areas and how.
Life is easier at 210 lbs. I get around more easily each day, feel less joint pain, and have so much more energy and endurance every day!
Are there any tips or advice you’d give to new members of Stronger U to help them succeed early on?
Stick to the plan and you will be happy that you did. It’s not always going to go easily and it might not be as fast as you expect, but if you stick with it, stay honest with yourself, and keep working on the things that are part of this plan, then you will see changes.
If someone is thinking about joining Stronger U, what would you tell them?
Stronger U works. I made it work for me, never felt hungry during the process of losing 35 lbs, and now have such a different view of food and how food can work for me. I won’t be gaining weight back because I’m an entirely different person now than I was when I started, and that’s thanks to Stronger U.
