Grewell confessed until around two years ago, he led an extremely sedentary lifestyle, eating just fast food for all meals (Pic: Instagram)
A 36-year-old American man who once weighed 224 kg has lost most of his weight through making lifestyle changes, which included taking up cycling as a part of daily exercise and workout. For Ryan Grewell from Ohio, losing 124 kg has not just been a transformative journey for his physical health but has given him immense courage to do things he could not do earlier, like move freely.
In an interview, Grewell confessed that until around two years ago, he led an extremely sedentary lifestyle, eating just fast food for all meals. Ryan said he used to only eat at McDonald’s for breakfast, Taco Bell for lunch, and pizza for dinner. His daily calorie intake ballooned to 5,000, and physical activity was virtually nonexistent. He also admitted to walking fewer than 4,000 steps in a day.
Ryan initially attempted to walk, but could not
Initially attempting weight loss through walking, Grewell found his knees were getting strained due to his weight. And so, two years ago, he bought a bicycle, marking the beginning of his cycling journey.
Grewell said he stuck to his commitment of cycling daily, combined with calorie counting and a focus on protein intake, which resulted in a significant weight loss.
"In January of 2023, I weighed 487 pounds. I was 34 years old and at a major crossroads in life. Fix my health, or I will have an abbreviated life. I started walking more and eating better. I don't know how many calories I was consuming at my heaviest, but I imagine it was a lot to maintain or gain at that weight. I cut fried foods, sweets, alcohol, etc.," he shared his journey on social media.
"I was in pain. Lots of pain, especially in my knees. Someone suggested I ride a bike, as it has a lower impact on my knees. By May, I had lost 70 or so pounds, which was crazy because I had never lost weight like that," he shared on Reddit.
"Today I weigh 212 pounds. Yes, I have lost 275 pounds, and I'm not 100 per cent where I want to be yet. It's happened way faster than I thought it would, and biking is what has been the catalyst to make this all come to be. I have loose, extra skin around my belly and thighs. In November of this year, I will get that removed. I keep joking that it'll be great for my biking because it'll boost my watts per kilogram," he wrote on Reddit.
Ryan Grewell before and after losing weight
Ryan follows meal planning consistently
Ryan said as his health began to improve with cycling, his health transformation also accelerated. His heart health improved greatly, his muscles strengthened, and his mindset also shifted. Ryan shared that he could not even bend to tie his shoes without gasping for breath, and now he loves physical activity.
He now only eats a high-protein, low-carb diet and tracks his calories meticulously.
