Weight loss story: Heart attack motivated this man over 200 kg to overhaul his lifestyle and lose 113 kg!

At age 57, Neal Bendesky, who worked in sports marketing, weighed around 204 kg. He felt his weight was slowing him down, physically as well as professionally, since he “didn’t look the part” for his job.

Bendesky’s shirts were size 5X and jeans were size 62. He couldn’t sit in a restaurant booth or an airplane seat. “I didn’t fit in society,” he shared with Today.

Realizing he needs to change, Bendesky started walking around a high school track and did not miss a single day. Eventually, he lost about 15 kg. He also joined a gym to accelerate his weight loss journey. Then, an embarrassing incident motivated him to become his most determined self to work hard and lose that extra weight.

While he was working out in the gym, a three-year-old was playing there while his mother was working out. The child looked at Bendesky and said, ‘Are you Santa Claus?’

Bendesky’s reaction? He checked with a trainer and started learning the value of nutrition. “That’s a big part of my world even today,” he told Today.

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In August 2016, Bendesky suffered a serious setback early in his weight-loss journey. Due to excessive weight, he experienced sudden cardiac death. This further motivated him to get his life back in his hands.

Nine days later, Bendesky was back in the gym. “I felt like my wellness clock was ticking, and before I reached all zeroes, I needed to do something. I wrote a plan on how to get better, and I stuck to it,” he said. “I couldn’t even walk around the block in 2013. Since my heart attack, I’ve done 29 races and 16 half marathons.”

Bendesky is now 64 years old and weighs around 90 kg. He also helps others on their journeys toward wellness and fitness.

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Bendesky was a binge eater before he embarked on his weight loss journey. He managed his diet by first reducing the portion of the foods he was already eating. For example, he’d have two slices of pizza and skip the third. “I also started to realize that just because something tastes good doesn’t mean it is good,” he said. Soon, he started to eat more protein and included macronutrients in his diet.

Sharing his dietary changes, he said, “I don’t do dairy or cheese because of the fat content, and I don’t do chocolate. And now, I don’t get so much into how much I weigh. I get more into how I feel.”