Transformation Tuesday

I know Travis personally. Travis is a hard working guy. I am pleased to share his story with you. I hope it inspires you as much as it inspires me.

“ I had always been overweight, but it never really bothered me until my early teenage years. I can recall the time when I began to think, “You know, I don’t have to be like this.” I vividly remember stepping on the scale at 16 years old and seeing 230 pounds and thinking “This HAS to stop now!” I began by making small changes in what and how much I was eating, and I began to see results! Justin has been an incredible inspiration to me in many ways, and I have been blessed to know him personally and call him friend. He has been an example of what hard work and perseverance can accomplish. He has been some one I can go to for advice in training or in nutrition, but most importantly he has been a supporter! He is someone I can count on for encouragement and accountability. Every time I walk into the gym and see him there he has a way of making that workout seem a little less terrible. Thank you Justin for being there ONE STEP at a time!

Check out Travis before and after. The bottom picture is Travis on the right hand side in the orange. Now it’s your turn. Will you be the next TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY? It all starts with taking ONE STEP!

Travis before

Travis after

Transformation Tuesday is probably my favorite day of the week. I love reading about the stories of people who once had an obstacle in front of them, to people who have overcome those obstacles. Some of us look at those stories and we think, “why not me?” I want to encourage you. It can be you! You just have to take the step to do be transformed. How awesome would it be to see yourself featured on one of my Transformation Tuesday blogs? You can be the example to inspire many people to become healthier, and to overcome obstacles. It just takes YOU making ONE STEP to better yourself.

I want to share some FREE advice on how to TRANSFORM YOUR BODY!

1. Make up your mind. – CHOOSE IT! If you don’t choose to be overcome, then it just won’t happen. You can’t start something with a half-hearted approach and believe you will come out on top. That isn’t how it works. If I wasn’t serious about losing weight, I never would have done it. I had a HUGE obstacle to face. 799lbs was not an easy weight to overcome. Discouragement? YES! Frustration, YES! There was a constant battle going on in my mind. I wanted to give up at times, but I KNEW that I couldn’t. I wouldn’t! I had to overcome this. So I did. I am thankful to God that He helped me through that.

2. Be the example others look at. – Just overcoming weight issues or obstacles for yourself is nice, but how much better to do it for others? How many others are in our shoes? How many others need someone to lead them, encourage them, inspire them? You could be that person. Don’t rob the world of who YOU ARE and what YOU CAN DO. You will not believe the feeling of being looked at as an example. I stay humble. My answer? I am just an instrument pointing to  The One who helped me through this. I’m not the answer, but I am used to show you the answer.

I hope this helps. I am excited to see more Transformation Tuesday stories. You can be the next person to inspire many. I am praying that my readers will take that to heart.

-Justin Willoughby
(One Step)
www.facebook.com/onestepnation

I am excited to introduce my good friend, Greg Newkirk to you. Greg has an amazing story. I don’t want to spoil it for you. Check it out for yourself.

Greg shares the following…
(Romans 8:31) “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”

This Bible verse speaks right to the heart of where I am today. However, this was not always the case. While working at an Electronic Supply Company in 1994, a 110 pound roll of welding wire fell on both of my feet, crushing the soft tissue and damaging the nerves beyond repair. After a trip to the ER, I found that no bones were broken. I was relieved to find out that I would be back to work in less than a week.
Little did I know, that day would change my life forever.

After about a week, the pain didn’t go away. On the contrary, the pain got worse! I visited every doctor I could find, yet none of them could find a cause for these painful symptoms. The longer time went on, the more severe my pain became. To say the least, I was frustrated. Finally, after nearly 2 years of searching, I was referred to a specialist in pain management. The specialist took one look at my feet, and diagnosed me with RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy). At first, I didn’t know what that meant, but it didn’t sound good. The specialist informed me that it was a very rare disease, and was incurable. It basically meant that every message sent to my lower body area became a pain message, and the pain receptors in my body never turned off.

The news was devastating, and I felt defeated. The years following consisted of numerous visits to various doctors, all in an attempt to lessen the pain. However, no matter what we tried, it never worked. We were so desperate that we even discussed amputating my legs. However, in 2010, my Pain Management specialist suggested something that may work, called a Spinal Stimulator.
We scheduled the surgery, and waited anxiously for the day to come.

Eventually it did, and the surgery was a success. For the first time in 17 years, I felt relief. On that day in January, God answered my prayers. Throughout these past 20 years, God has blessed me with people to support, love, care for, and encourage me. These people consisted of my wife, Nancy, my children, and (for the past two years) my brother in Christ, Justin Willoughby. I watched Justin’s journey even before I knew him personally, and was encouraged at his dedication and devotion to his goals. He was completely dedicated to his transformation from who he used to be, to the Godly man I have come to admire. As someone that has gone through my own transformation it took a lot of hard work to leave the wheelchair and learn to walk again. I thank God for the strength he has given me and I feel blessed and encouraged to have people in my life like Justin that continue to encourage me daily.

GREG BEFORE AND NOW

That is transformation. Greg could have easily given up, but he chose to continue searching for answers. He chose to continue to find hope. This can be for every single one of us. I know it’s not just weight issues that my readers struggle with. They struggle with a variety of other things. Nothing is impossible. We can overcome our issues. It all starts with… ONE STEP.

-Justin Willoughby
(ONE STEP)
www.facebook.com/onestepnation

It’s a real honor to meet people and to get to know their story. I have the priveldge of knowing Jake Hatcher and his story. I hope it inspires you as much as it inspires me to keep going. Jake is an example of not quitting. He is an example of what faith can do. I am pleased to introduce to you, Jake Hatcher.

I asked Jake for some before pictures and some after pictures. I also asked him to type up his story. The following is what he gave me.

This is Jake Hatcher before.

“First of all yes meeting you and hearing your story inspired me to lose weight! I thought if he can lose 600lbs than I can loose 100!!! Here’s my story!!

I stepped on the scale and saw a number I never wanted to see. I was shocked and almost fell off the scale. I was also wearing larger clothes than I ever thought I would! I committed to 1 year of trying to lose weight! My 1 year goal was to lose 2 pounds a week for a total of 104lbs. I started this adventure before thanksgiving because every year I would gain about 10lbs over the holidays. So I started counting my calories before thanksgiving and sticking to my allotted calories each day using an app for my phone called lose it.

By January of 2013 instead of putting on 10lbs I had lost more than 10lbs!! Each time I hit a plateau I would do something more to decrease calories and increase exercise. Some time in march I gave up Ice cream and French fries and then by July (my next plateau) I gave up most all white flour, white rice, white sugar, and canned foods. I also became more active and lifted weights, mostly just lifestyle changes like walking, and riding bikes with my family, and going on hikes. By January 2014 I had lost 109 lbs!!!! And now it’s June and I’ve lost 120 lbs!!! I, like Justin, credit my weight loss to my faith in Jesus Christ. Throughout this journey I have been forced to face the deeper idols of my heart which drove me to my dependence on food. The Lord gave me strength and hope to accomplish this feat and find the self control needed, along with the discipline required to achieve this goal. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)” – Jake Hatcher

    (This is Jake now!)

    If you are a person of faith or not, you cannot deny results. It’s my prayer and hope that you see these real life stories, and you’ll begin to want to make a change in your body. Like Jake and myself.. it all starts with, ONE STEP.

-Justin Willoughby
www.facebook.com/onestepnation
Twitter: @1steplifestyle