A few weeks ago, I ran across this blog. I was completely blown away by this man’s attitude and success he has had in reshaping his mindset and his physical self. He once weighed in at over 400 lbs and has managed to lose over HALF HIS WEIGHT! Amazing! I asked him if he would be willing to subject himself to a few questions so that I could share with all of you and he agreed.
Tony, weighing in at 420 lbs.
First off, tell us a little about yourself!
Sure. My name is Tony Posnanski. I am a General Manager at a restaurant; I am married with a wonderful wife, and a baby on the way. I have a dog, a wonderful family, and a no excuse attitude.
Stats? Height, Starting Weight, Current Weight...
I a 5 foot 6, and I am hovering the 200 pound mark right now. I was 420.2 a little over a year ago, and my lowest was 198.8, which was the beginning of March. Since then, I have been building muscle, so I am a few pounds over 200, but my pants fit the same, if not better.
How long were you overweight? Most of my life. I would say over 20 years. The problem was that when I would lose weight before, I would do it the wrong way, so even when I was thin I thought I was overweight. Now is the first time in my life where I do not feel overweight.
What made you decide to take action?
The love for my wife. I went to the doctor in February of 2008, and my doctor was concerned. My heart rate was 220/160 and my cholesterol was over 300. He told me I needed to either get gastic surgery or lose weight or I would be dead in three months. I did not want my wife to be a widow in her 20’s.
Has your wife made health a top priority as well?
My wife has always eaten healthy. Being pregnant, she does eat some foods that I probably would not eat (most people do, I am a crazy eater now) but she has always been great with moderation, which is something I work on. But my wife takes care of herself and our baby.
Have you followed a certain “program” or do you just count calories?
I do Weight Watchers, well, kind of. There was a program they used to have called “Core” which is like the “South Beach” diet. Basically, I do not eat processed foods. I make sure I do not overeat, and eat enough protein every day. I do go to WW meetings which are great, and I make sure that I stay away from processed foods (Bran cereal is the only processed food I eat), just fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fat free dairy, and whole grains.
Tony in March ’09, around 200 lbs.
What does a typical day’s meal plan look like?
It is so hard to say. I eat cottage cheese, eggs, raspberries, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and chicken all day long. I try to eat more carbs in the AM and more protein in the PM. I make sure to have 1.5 gallons of water a day, and I always take a vitamin.
Do you ever splurge? I get asked that a lot. I look at food differently now. I splurge on books and things like different vegetables and fruits. I will never eat pizza or cake again. It is not worth it. So to answer your question, no.
What is your favorite snack?
I love cottage cheese, and I also love raw cauliflower. FUN!
What was the hardest food to give up?
None. I never loved food, just the concept of it. There is not something I have that I could say “Wow, I miss……” With my work out, I probably could eat something and not gain weight, but I love the way I eat now.
I see you are a chef! Can you please share one (or two!) of your favorite recipes with us?
Hmmmmm, I am a pretty boring chef. I like to boil and roast cauliflower, and I love to boil eggs. I wish I had more, but I try to love the food for food now. I do not want to put a Mercedes emblem on a Ford Escort (Dress up healthy food as unhealthy). I am no Hungry Girl.
Is it hard to remain on track in your profession?
I am a pretty focused guy. I think it makes my journey more interesting, but I would not say it is hard to be on track. There are plenty of healthy options at all restaurants. It is more about choice.
Did you begin exercising right away?
It was a couple of weeks after I started. My workouts were very slow at first, and then picked up. Consistency is the key to working out.
What is a typical workout for you these days?
I change my workouts all of the time. Now, I work out 6 days a week, three days cardio, and three weight training.
Favorite physical activity?
I love the Elliptical Machine and doing Squats.
What made you decide to start blogging about your progress?
My brother. He is a sports writer of SI.com, and he has a huge blog. I thought it would be fun just to write my thoughts down. I have never been the blogger to write what I eat, or complain. I just like to talk about fun things I see in life, and the perspective of a guy who was 400 pounds, and is enjoying his new thinner life.
Have you found support from your readers? Very much so! The people who read my blog are wonderful. Even the ones who write negative things motivate me now. Overall, I love the whole blogging thing, although I am very new at it.
What is your favorite thing about your new body? And your wife’s favorite thing about your new body? ;o)
We both like the same thing. My heart. It is healthier now, which is the reason for this journey, and it is what will help us overcome obstacles in life. 
Tony on April 15, 2009. Check out those guns!!
Thank you so much, Tony! You are amazing! Thank you for the inspiration! Keep up with Tony’s progress at The Anti-Jared.
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Melissa is the Co-Founder the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans and the Shrinking Kitchen. She has been married to a wonderful man forever and is mother to six amazing children (18,15, 11, 11 and 3 and 1!). Melissa has reached her goal weight, and is now trying to find ways to fit fitness into her crazy busy schedule. She loves kickboxing and hates running, even though she has completed 4 half-marathons. When Melissa isn’t helping her little girl battle her brain tumors (Love for Jazmine Joy), she loves to travel, laugh, tend to her chickens, and dream of sunshine and mountains.
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