Before Joining Stronger U, Alex had tried expensive fad diets that left him with elevated cholesterol and short term results. After his neighbor had success with Stronger U, Alex dove in headfirst and committed to the SU lifestyle. And the results? Well, they speak for themselves.
Meet Alex.
I’m Alex Pugh. I am a single dad of a 12 YO boy and a daughter who is 9… going on 39. Also, have a cat and a dog. I am in medical sales living in Texas. My first coach was st Dean Guedo and I’m currently with Terri Luna.
Life before Stronger U.
I am a former college athlete and always thought I could bounce back from anything, at any age. Back in college, I could sit down with my lineman and eat a whole large supreme pizza in one sitting and not think twice about it. I don’t eat like that anymore but still, mentally think I am an athlete. And one day you wake up after a good workout or trying to run with the young boys and your body reminds you that you are NO LONGER AN ATHLETE. I have done a number of P90x sessions and had great success with it. As we get older, we can’t “outwork” our bad eating habits. About 4 years ago, I started to take up biking. Once again, thinking I am an athlete and really tearing up the roads when I was riding by myself. When you ride with someone that actually knows what they are doing, they were beating me like i stole something. Some of these men and women were 10-15 years older than me. I bike about 50+ miles a week. I have tried more FAD and less expensive diets in the past, and in the end, you get what you pay for. This is a lifelong experience, not a 30 day FAD diet.
Why do you think Stronger U worked so well for you?
Personally, I think because we are allowed to eat the foods we like, as long as it fits into our current macros. If I have something for lunch that is a little high in fats carbs or proteins, I adjust my dinner or snacks in portions or even all together to get back on track. Being able to eat what you love, will work long term. For most of us, eating what we love is what got us here, we were just eating too much of it.
So, what does your life look like now?
I’ve lost over 30 pounds and 7 inches off my waist. I have more energy and confidence. Also, having to buy more clothes that fit. You will never hear me say that I am in the best shape of my life, playing ball back in college, I was pretty solid, but to be turning 50 this year…I feel pretta, pretta, pretta good (in my best Larry David voice). Oh, and I can regularly eat salt and vinegar chips!
Any favorite non-scale victories to share?
When you try on a suit that used to be too small, and now it’s too big so you have to donate it along with a closet full of clothes. Also, when people comment on how much weight you lost while on a zoom conference call. They say the camera adds 10lbs 🙂
Has your quality of life changed?
About 3-4 years ago I lost my father, and one of my best friends who was a few years younger than me. Around that same time, my marriage also ended. During that time, I think I fell into a bit of a depression. Not to the point that I couldn’t get out of bed or drinking too much, I just knew that something wasn’t right. Stronger U has given me my confidence back which also died a few years ago. I used to have to take a ton of Zzzquil to help me sleep. I still don’t sleep as well as I would like, but I am l sleeping much better and have stopped taking Zzzquil all together. Along the way, my cycle times have gotten better. My ultimate goal is to avg 18 MPH for 20+ miles. I got close once at 17.4 for 33 miles. I would also like to get back into martial arts.
Healthy wins.
My cholesterol has always been a little elevated since doing another “popular” diet back in the day. After going to the dentist a few months ago, they said my BP was a little high. My question to them is “who’s BP isn’t elevated when going to the dentist”. So I went in for my yearly checkup and they told me that all of my numbers were great. Cholesterol is still a little elevated, but my HDL was solid so just keep an eye on it, and whatever I am doing, keep doing.
What did you love about your coach?
Terri dug a little deeper into me and not only became a “food” coach but somewhat of a life coach as well. She challenged me and asked me questions that at times were uncomfortable. We don’t grow in comfort, we grow when we are uncomfortable. Most of the time she still has to “check me”, in my current session to get me back on track. Much like my parents, close friends, and high school and college coaches, Terri, didn’t tell me what I wanted to hear but what I needed to hear
What advice would you give someone thinking about joining Stronger U?
Trust the process and trust your coach. Take the pictures and just know that it is okay to be selfish and put yourself first. It is okay to say NO to others in order to say YES to yourself
Shoutout corner
Dean for getting me started, Terri for taking me to a whole new level not only being a food coach but somewhat of a life coach as well, and Mike for putting this program and community together.
Final thoughts!
If you are wondering if you should do this program or not, do it. Invest in yourself instead of others, because by investing in yourself you will be around to help others. if you’re not here, you can’t help anyone. Invest in your health
