This week our Stronger U Member Spotlight is featuring Anthony Garcia, who worked with Coach Jason to lose over 140lbs!
What’s your name? (First and last names, pretty please)
Anthony A. Garcia
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?
I’m from the California Bay Area. Went to college in Kansas. I have 2 sons (3 & 1). Married to HS girlfriend. I’ve coached football, on and off, for 12 seasons.
What led you to join Stronger U?
After High School, I put on a lot of weight and carried it well. I played football in college and after that, I just held onto/added weight. 15 years of being between 325-380 I wanted to be better. For whatever reason, a post by my friend James Rickher hit me at the perfect time. I was a new dad. I wanted to relieve the stress on my bones, joints, heart. I wanted to extend my life.
What dieting experience have you had previous to Stronger U? Was there a reason you were or were not successful? Why did you stop?
Tried weight watchers, the south beach diet, paleo challenges at the gym had the most success but no sustainability… I had been a “big dude” for a long time and was settling to live in that mold the rest of my life because nothing was really sticking with me. “Just eat less” was the typical answer but it’s such a broad and general statement. From my starting point, it’s like telling someone that wanted to buy a house in California to “just save some money.”
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?
The accountability factor is big with me. Probably the initial biggest reason for success was being in constant contact with Jason. Throw in the education on fueling and formation of great habits (both of these were byproducts of the program). I have never tried to learn or figure out why or what Jason was going to do. Instead, I spent my efforts listening and auditing my body’s reaction.
Can you give some insight on your eating habits BEFORE joining Stronger U?
I ate when I was hungry and I chose what I felt like having. Cooking steaks at home. Eating out at a restaurant. Take away some days. The content of those meals was just more than I needed, obviously.
Now that you’ve joined Stronger U, how have your eating habits changed?
Homemade, simple, easy, quick meals. Nowadays we have bulk carbs (usually sweet potatoes) and bulk protein (unseasoned cheapest lean meat) in the fridge and we portion as we need for all meals. It seems like now, the most elaborate meals are being made for the kids.
If you exercise or train for a sport, what does a typical week look like? Did Stronger U have any impact in your decision to start exercising or training for a sport?
For the last 4 months I have been willingly running as a form of exercise, hobby, therapy… directly resulted from being with SU.
How much weight did you lose with Stronger U?
143 lbs so far
How did your waist measurements change with Stronger U?
55” starting to 38” now
What were 3 major non-scale victories you experienced with Stronger U?
Countless, COUNTLESS differences between who I was and what I can do now. My 3 favorite are probably:
1) fitting on rides with my son at the little kid adventure parks.
2) Discovering the outdoors with my wife as we step into the world of trail running.
3) Feeling the relief in my body I’ve been searching for. Knees, back, hips are all swell.
Has your change in body weight or composition improved other areas of your life? If so, explain what areas and how.
I would most definitely agree that it’s opened up the opportunity for me to get on rides with my family, jump off retaining walls, climb trees, try to keep up with my wife on runs.
Is there any tips or advice you’d give to new members of Stronger U to help them succeed early on?
Macro counting was so foreign to me that I had so many questions and learning moments early on. But I accepted those and was prepared to carry on regardless. If you’re joining Stronger U it’s because you want something to change. In order for that to happen changes need to be made in your routine. If at all possible, let go of your expectations and goals for a short while and just live the program.
If someone is thinking about joining Stronger U, what would you tell them?
Yes. SU is not for any specific body type or goal. It’s for you. This person reading. You’re matched with a coach who’s full intention is to get you, this single person, to where you want. You’re own personalized road map. You just need to take the first step.
