Congratulations to Nick Sears of Coastal Credit! Nick has successfully lost nearly 100 lbs. Nick’s list of accomplishments are very impressive! In February, Nick and his wife completed their first 5k! “My energy level has substantially increased and in my life, I never thought I could do a 5k!” said Nick. At his heaviest, Nick weighed 350 lbs. and was also diagnosed with cancer and celiac disease. His doctor told him that if he didn’t lose some weight, he would probably have to have surgery. Nick began what he called an “over-haul to his lifestyle” – he eats a high-fat-low-carb diet and works out 3-4 times a week. The best news is that Nick has been able to avoid the surgery!
Nick is also a regular at the Coastal Credit Wellness Seminars: “The wellness program has helped me by introducing new innovations to monitor and hold my myself accountable during this journey that I would not normally think of. Also, the seminars are taught by our coach Penny who is excited and energetic about the topic, which helps keep me motivated and excited about this journey.”
Nick has done the hard work, but the support has come from the top down! Coastal Credit’s CEO, Marty McFarland is at every seminar and supports healthy changes in the workplace while celebrating with each employee on their success: “Penny and the AHW team have been great to work with. The team has helped instill a culture of health and accountability among the Coastal employees. A great example of their work is our very own Nick Sears. Working with AHW, Nick is a great success story having lost nearly 100 lbs. by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and positive choices. We are proud of the self-determination displayed by Nick, a personal attribute that will guide him through many successes in his future. Way to go Nick!”
1. When did you story begin?
My story began a year ago after my 6-month appointment with my oncologist.
2. How much weight have you have lost?
At my heaviest I was around 350 lbs. So far along this health journey I have lost 90 – close to 100 lbs.
3. How has the wellness program, the coach, or the seminars added to your success?
The wellness program has helped me by introducing new innovations to monitor and hold my myself accountable during this journey that I would not normally think of. Also, the seminars are taught by our coach Penny who is excited and energetic about the topic, which helps keep me motivated and excited about this journey.
4. What people in your life have helped you to achieve your goal?
The people that have helped me and continue to help me achieve this goal are my wife, my best friends, my family and also my doctor.
5. How have you been achieving your goals?
I have been achieving my goals in a few ways. The first is finding out that due my cancer I developed celiac disease. This meant that I had to overhaul my lifestyle. This was a struggle to achieve. More recently at my recent oncologist appointment, I talked to my doctor about starting the Keto Diet. We talked about the benefits and he felt that this would be a good fit for me due to the celiac. He told me that if I did not lose some weight, I may have to have surgery to help. I did not want this. With this my wife and I (with the ok from her doctor as well) started the Keto Diet. The diet and working out 3 to 4 days a week have really helped me.
6. What has been your biggest roadblock?
My biggest roadblock when I started Keto and the weight loss was the energy level to leave work and then work out.
7. Has your life been impacted in ways other than just weight loss?
My life has been impacted in many ways. For one, my energy level has substantially increased. I’m slowly gaining strength back (during my bout with cancer I lost a lot of strength and continually felt weak due to the Autoimmune Disease Myasthenia Gravis). In February, my wife and I completed our first 5k. In my life I never thought I would be able to do that and we have signed up for another one in June! Also, with this weight loss I have now been able to fit in sizes of clothes that I have not been able to since my freshmen year of High School. This alone is a huge motivator for me.
8. What new lifestyle behaviors will you definitely continue to practice when you reach your goal?
My new lifestyle behaviors that I will continue to practice are working out and watching what I eat. Also, more importantly, having the knowledge to continue the journey.
9. How have these changes impacted people around you, from your perspective?
From my perspective, I feel the people around me have been more motivated but also have been inquisitive about what I have done to get to where I am, which allows me to help and try to motivate them.
10. If you could tell people one or two key behaviors that you feel have really helped you achieve your success thus far, what would they be?
I would say that my biggest behavior is to keep motivated. At the start of this journey, I was getting discouraged because I was not seeing the results I wanted to. Even though the scale was not reflecting the hard work I was doing, my clothes were telling a different story. Dress pants I could not fit into a year ago were fitting and starting to be loose on me! But then everything started to click and the scale matched. This helped and pushed me even harder to get better.
My second behavior that I use is not being afraid to fail. Failure is going to happen but how I use it as a motivator is learning from the mistake I made and working harder to not let it happen again.
I feel another behavior that has helped me to continue to strive on this journey is not being afraid to treat yourself from time to time. I set goals once I reached a specific weight goal I treated myself. This helped me tremendously.
From all of us at AHW, we are so proud of you and all of your hard work and dedication! Keep it up!
For more information on our wellness programs, contact us.