A man who weighed 400lbs has revealed the simple changes he made to shed half his body weight without the help of any GLP-1 medications.
Devyn McGuire, 29, from Drums, Pennsylvania, had struggled with obesity since he was a kid.
During his childhood, he recalled being bullied by his peers over his size, which led to an even more complicated relationship with food as an adult.
He barely left the house and would ‘eat junk food all day long’ to help numb the pain and deep insecurity around his body.
By the time he was in his late 20s, McGuire’s weight had soared to 400lbs. He was so out of shape that he would lose his breath from doing the slightest activity.
‘My body was always in pain, and my poor health led to easy injuries because my muscles were so weak,’ he said during an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail.
In addition to his physical health, his mental health was crumbling.
‘I could barely look in the mirror and recognize who I was. I hated myself and the way I looked,’ he said.
Devyn McGuire, 29, from Drums, Pennsylvania, weighed 400lbs. But through a slew of simple changes he shed half his body weight (Pictured: McGuire before, left, and after, right, the weight loss)
McGuire knew he would have to ‘start off slow’ and began by simply adding walking into his daily routine (Pictured: McGuire after shedding 200lbs)
At age 27, McGuire was at his ‘rock bottom’ – but after he watched some ‘family members go through serious health issues’ of their own, he realized he still had time to turn his life around.
‘That scared me. I woke up one day and had enough of this lifestyle. I didn’t want to end up like other family members,’ he recalled.
‘I was sick and tired of how I felt mentally and physically. I lost all those years that I can’t get back.
‘But what mattered was that I’m here and able to make a change. There is time left for me. I decided I wasn’t wasting any more time.’
He knew he would have to ‘start off slow’ and began by simply adding walking into his daily routine.
Next, he researched calorie deficit and made sure his meals contained the ‘proper macronutrients.’
‘I had some set backs at first until I found what works for me,’ he said. ‘Everyone’s body is different in needs, goals and body response.
‘Weight loss can be overwhelming [at first]. But once you get a routine down with your dieting and fitness intake, they go hand in hand.’
After he watched some ‘family members go through serious health issues’ of their own, McGuire realized he still had time to turn his life around (Pictured: McGuire before and after the weight loss)
McGuire soon started strength training and body building. The more weight he lost, the more ‘addicted’ he became to working out
From those two simple changes, McGuire almost immediately began to see results.
‘I began looking at myself in the mirror again without hate – this fueled me to want more,’ he continued.
‘I started feeling better mentally and physically. People began to treat me way better. Everything began to change for me.’
McGuire soon started strength training and body building, and the more weight he lost, the more ‘addicted’ he became to working out.
Now, two years on, he has lost a whopping 200lbs and said his life has improved ‘physically, mentally and socially.’
McGuire is now an ISSA certified weight loss specialist and recently launched his own business dedicated to helping others lose weight in a ‘natural and safe manner.’
His advice to others who want to follow in his footsteps is to start slow, get comfortable with being uncomfortable and focus on discipline and consistency.
‘There is so much to learn,’ McGuire said. ‘This is a learning process and experience. This isn’t something to rush into.
Now, two years on, McGuire (pictured before and after his weight loss) has lost a whopping 200lbs and he said his life has improved ‘physically, mentally and socially’
‘Don’t overwhelm yourself. The first step is wanting to make a change – recognizing that there is an issue is the first part of the process. Once you find a routine that works for you it will start to come naturally.
‘It won’t be handed to you, you have to want it. You have to put in the work to achieve your goals. Eat clean foods, stay active and stay consistent. I promise, the results will show.’
While reflecting on his ‘beautiful’ and ‘humbling’ transition, McGuire added that he hoped being honest will inspire others.
‘It’s all about how you get back up after being knocked down. Don’t give up, keep fighting,’ he said.
‘I want to show the world that there is a way out and that it’s possible to achieve your goals and dreams. [Everyone is] deserving of a happy and healthy lifestyle.’
