Brian Mahoney

I wish I could say the order above was what my roommate ordered. In fact, I wish I could say that I split it with anyone. However, the above order was my standard order from the local Chinese restaurant, and I got Chinese at least twice a week. At age 24 I spent more money and time than I would like to admit surfing the internet for the newest fast food that delivered to my house.

I liken my poor, fast eating habits to my lifestyle. I was a young businessman trying to make it in my first job out of college. I worked long hours like many of my colleagues and friends. Without the responsibility of kids at home, I had no reason not to work late and order Thai food with the rest of my department. Plus after a long day, who wants to spend an hour cooking and cleaning dishes when you're only making food for one?

I soon found that my nine to seven lifestyle was not nearly as active as what I was used to when I was in college. My life was much more sedentary: I was without my free college gym, walking two miles around campus every day, and playing club sports.

In fact, now the most exercise I got was from surfing TV channels with the remote after a long day.

I would like to say that I could blame one specific thing for my lifestyle change. Rather, it was a gradual slip, and always telling myself there was no reason to worry. It wasn't as if one bad weekend, one big party, or one extra serving of cake could really change my health. I generally began to let go of my health because it was easier not to think about it.

I continued to live my unhealthy lifestyle without changing anything, The hardest day was the one where I finally admitted my pants didn't fit. Going to the outlets and having to try something new on was incredibly embarrassing. I wish I could say that was the day I turned things around...

It wasn't.

What I found was that once I got over that first hurdle, buying new clothes was a relief. I liked buying new things, and the new clothes fit better. It became even easier to let myself go. I began slipping even more.

I could continue my unhealthy lifestyle and just keep buying new clothes; hey someone has to support the economy!

The Relentless Fitness transformation appeared in my life by accident. I found out about it after switching jobs to work with a small, locally based consulting company that my new supervisor was mid transformation. My initial thought when hearing about what he was doing was, "that is the dumbest thing ever". I spent weeks dismissing and belittling the results of those around me since doing the transformation was something I just couldn't grasp ever wanting to do.

Finally one day, I looked in the mirror long enough and asked my friends if they thought I could do it.

"No"

That was the resounding answer my friends gave me. Exercise 3 days a week, go on a diet, have self discipline. These were things I had spent years training myself not to do. Anyone who saw my intake of potato chips and French fries would have laughed at the idea of a no gluten diet. Pasta and pizza were food groups to me!

I gave myself 8 weeks.

I could do anything for 8 weeks. If I didn't have enough self discipline and respect for myself to go all in for 8 weeks, then what could I expect out of myself as I grew into manhood. "8 weeks to change your life", that's what Roger said.

I spent the next 60 days battling with Roger and Ross at Relentless, eating well, and getting 8 hours of sleep a night.

By week 2, I was down a pants size, week 4, I could fit back into my jeans from when I was in high school. Over 20 pounds later I finally realized how much damage I had done to my body over the years. I was stronger and more fit than I have been in a long time. Family and friends all began to complement me on my weight loss and how great I looked.

Eight months later, I'm still following the teachings of Relentless. A strong diet, regular exercise, and better habits in my life have given me an overall healthier lifestyle. I never believed people who said that being more active gave them more energy. However I'm more alert and productive at work, and now have more time to spend doing things I enjoy.

I'm not saying I still don't enjoy good Chinese food. However, I am smarter and stronger in my lifestyle now and understand when it's worth it for me to indulge and how that is going to affect my health, energy, and fitness. 8 simple weeks changed my life. I challenge anyone to try to order that on a menu.