I’ve lost 100lbs. and kept it off for over 17 years.
I’ve also struggled with obesity at different points in my life, so headlines like these are personal.
Look, being obese sucked. I hated how I looked and felt.
I couldn’t play sports with my friends. I couldn’t wear clothes I liked. I couldn’t go anywhere without feeling peoples’ lingering, judgemental stares.
My family doctor told me if I didn’t change, I was going to live a short, sick, painful life. Talk about a wakeup call.
So, at 16 years old, I committed to prioritizing my health… but with an “all or nothing” approach:
🥗 I only ate food I prepared myself
🏋♂️ I worked out 5 days a week
💊 I took supplements to fill gaps in my diet
⛔ I said “no” to social events so I could stay “on the plan”
I lost 100lbs. by the time I turned 17.
I thought I “beat” obesity and had all the tools and discipline necessary to stay fit for life.
Then, after joining Google in 2014, my whole life changed:
😵 I started a high-stress job
🏡 I moved away from home and familiar environments
👥 I had a new social circle and schedule
🍩 I was surrounded by unlimited free food
The factors I consider when I work with my clients – their physical, mental, emotional, relational, environmental, and existential circumstances – all changed.
So, I turned to an old coping pattern to manage it: food.
By 2017, I was over 250lbs., depressed, and on track to be the heaviest I’d ever been.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I asked myself. “You know what to do. Just fucking do it!”
For those struggling with obesity, it’s common for us – and society – to blame our circumstances on personal failures: we aren’t disciplined enough. We aren’t gifted. We don’t work hard enough.
Yet according to the study in The New York Times,
“Obesity comes from genetic, physiological, and environmental interactions. It’s not the fault of any one individual who has the disease.”
Many things influence our ability to manage our weight. It’s NOT all our fault.
Regaining half the weight I initially lost forced me to reflect on what I knew, what I believed, and how I thought about health.
Thankfully, after earning certifications in nutrition and coaching through Precision Nutrition, I learned a new approach.
By putting the same tools and practices I use with my coaching clients to work for myself, I managed to lose the weight I regained. I’ve kept it off since 2019.
My experiences managing my weight are why I’m so passionate about helping people improve their health.
I know what it’s like to feel lost, overwhelmed, and hopeless – to think you’ll never live a healthy, happy life.
I’m here to tell you that you can.
I work every day to ensure that’s what my clients have when we finish working together.
If you’re struggling with your weight or practicing healthy habits, please know I see you. I understand you. And I’m here to help if you need it.
You aren’t alone. We can do this together.
Love you lots,
❤️ Ian
P.S. If you’re struggling with your health and need to talk to someone who understands, schedule time to connect with me. I’m looking forward to helping you live a healthier, happier, more balance life. Chat soon.
Ian Estabrook 