Real Life Weight Loss: "I lost 115lbs and replaced fat with muscle"
Anthony Bayer was rejected by his prom date and was on the verge of type-2 diabetes. Now, he's 115lbs lighter and fit
Queensland, Australia's Anthony Bayer has lost 115lbs of body weight, improved his heart health, built muscle and changed his life. Although he began to gain weight as a teenager, things came to a head after high school when he was rushed to the hospital with obesity-induced heart palpitations. At his heaviest, Anthony was consuming over 10,000 calories a day.
“Food was an addiction, every time I was stressed out I would eat. I would consume three pizzas, three bottles of coke and three packs of Magnum ice cream in one sitting,” he told our sibling YouTube channel Truly. Truly is documenting Anthony's transformation as part of its Brand New Me series.
Anthony spent all his time at home playing video games, until he screwed up the courage to ask his high school crush to the school formal. Unfortunately, it was a prank – when he arrived at her door to pick her up, she said he was "too fat to fit through the door".
Watch Anthony's remarkable fitness transformation here:
“I asked the most attractive girl in school to be my date and she said yes. I made myself look like a million dollars and knocked on her door on the day of the formal. She started laughing and said I was too fat to fit through the door, at that moment I realised it was just a big joke, I was set up.”
One night, Anthony was taken to hospital with an irregular heartbeat. His weight was placing an enormous pressure on his internal organs, causing him heart palpitations. He was told if he didn't make a drastic change to his sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet, he would soon develop Type 2 diabetes.
Anthony said: “Something just changed inside me, it was the turning point for the transformation of my life. Now I’m confident, willing to go out there and live my life to the fullest."”
Losing 115lbs in total, Anthony now weighs in at 215lbs. He has lost more fat than this figure, but he has also put on muscle since then, which weighs more than fat, giving him a healthy body composition, or muscle-to-fat ratio.
Get the Fit&Well Newsletter
Start your week with achievable workout ideas, health tips and wellbeing advice in your inbox.
Anthony's journey began with learning to eat healthily. Diet is even more important than exercise when it comes to weight loss: if you're able to take in less calories and swap those high-sugar, processed carbohydrates for lean meats, vegetables, and healthy whole grains, you'll be well on your way to a better body and mind.
It can start with simple food swaps: if fried chicken is a guilty pleasure, you can swap the deep-fried breaded chicken for a healthier version cooked on the grill or in an air fryer, with a fraction of the added calories. Our best health grill and best air fryer lists are good places to start here. Swapping a side of fries with vegetables or a salad, which don't raise your blood sugar levels as much and contain less calories, is the next step.
Anthony began his exercise regime by just walking, which is a really accessible way to lose weight. At the beginning of your journey, you just want to make sure you're moving as much as you can. However, Anthony can also be seen testing his cardio capabilities with hill sprints and other high-intensity interval training staples. Fortunately, whatever stage you're at in your journey, the best treadmill will able to accommodate, whether you're up to the challenge of sprint training or you just want to walk in front of the TV.
Matt Evans is an experienced health and fitness journalist and is currently Fitness and Wellbeing Editor at TechRadar, covering all things exercise and nutrition on Fit&Well's tech-focused sister site. Matt originally discovered exercise through martial arts: he holds a black belt in Karate and remains a keen runner, gym-goer, and infrequent yogi. His top fitness tip? Stretch.
-
You don't need weights to build leg strength, just this three-move routine
Workout Try this equipment-free workout to build your glutes and quads
By Maddy Biddulph Published
-
"This one exercise will make the next 30 years of your life better than you think it could be"—an expert trainer on the best move for longevity
Workouts Undo the damage of sitting with this powerful strength training move
By Ruth Gaukrodger Published
-
Real life weight loss: How this woman lost 100lbs in less than a year (and kept it off)
Weight loss Londoner Martyna lost 100lbs in a year after placing a bet against herself online
By Matt Evans Published
-
Real life weight loss: How Chris lost nearly 180lbs safely and sustainably over 4 years
Weight Loss Californian Chris began his weight loss after looking in the mirror and seeing "nothing but a heart attack" waiting for him
By Matt Evans Published
-
Real life weight loss: From being 360lbs and anxious to losing 160lbs in two years
Weight loss Thomas was approaching 400lbs, anxious and depressed. Now, he's 160lbs down, active and more outgoing
By Matt Evans Published
-
Real life weight loss: How this woman lost 105lbs after getting pregnant at 21
Weight loss Brianna became a single mother and decided to turn her life around for her daughter, losing 105lbs
By Matt Evans Published
-
Real life weight loss: How this California man lost 242lbs in two years
Weight loss Matthew Rivera lost an incredible amount of weight, going from 487lbs to 242lbs in just two years with lifestyle changes
By Matt Evans Published
-
Real life weight loss: How this woman lost 200lbs through healthy lifestyle changes
Weight loss Danitza Casas lost an incredible 200lbs with the help of walking, spin classes and an accountability partner
By Matt Evans Published
-
Real Life Weight Loss: How this busy mom lost 130lbs in 11 months
Weight Loss Brianna lost 130lbs without stepping foot in the gym, to create a better life for her and her daughter
By Fit&Well Published
-
Real life weight loss: "I lost 215lbs and changed my life after a suicide attempt"
Weight Loss Summer Stultz changed her life after losing 215lbs, feeling fitter and stronger than ever – but left with loose skin
By Matt Evans Published