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If you met Hunter Olds today, you’d never know that just a few short years ago he was an entirely different man in an entirely different body.
“I’ve been overweight my whole entire life. Always the biggest kid in school,” Olds — who is now 23 — explained to MensHealth.com. By the time Olds reached the end of his freshman year in college, he maxed out at 350 pounds. He had resolved to be that big forever, until one fateful baseball game changed everything.
“I was at in an Indians baseball game with some of my friends, and … [the seat] had the armrest, and I couldn’t fit in the seat. It hurt to sit down,” he said. “I knew I had to change right then.”
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At Lake Norman in North Carolina going down to Miami for the Orange Bowl.
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Olds went home that day and downloaded the MyFitnessPal app. He resolved to stay in a calorie deficit, following a calories in, calories out diet. The only thing he cut out was processed foods and sugars.
At first, it was just about monitoring his diet, but after the first 10 pounds, Olds discovered he could move more easily than before, and began running.
“I really grew a passion for running. It was just something I could use to clear my head.”
“I really grew a passion for running,” he said. “It was just something I could use to clear my head. I didn’t have to think about anything except for running.” (If you want to train like Olds, check out our beginner’s guide to running.)
With all those miles and fewer calories, Olds dropped down to 190 pounds in just over a year — a 160-pound weight loss transformation. “I lost half my body weight,” he said with a laugh.
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Back in June I stepped on the scale and saw it said 350 and right then I knew it was time for a change. So I started my diet that day. The very next day I ate a whole bag of Doritos… but I did not give up I dieted hard and worked out for the past 8 months and managed to drop 151 lbs. this was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and I can’t believe it really happened. Never thought I would see under 200. And I know everyone says this but trust me if I can do you can too! #transformation #weightloss #d4l #motivation #teamfurious #motivationmonday @furiouspete #shoutouttoallthepear #d4l
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This all happened back in 2015. Now, Olds is going even stronger, completing two marathons and heading into his first-ever triathlon. He’s gotten there by working out six days a week, alternating between running and lifting weights. For his meals, Olds stick to using his MyFitnessPal to track his eating habits and ensuring he keeps a healthy outlook on food.
“It’s hard,” Olds said of maintaining the weight loss. “Maintaining is a lot harder than losing the weight, because when I first started losing weight, I had a goal to hit 200 pounds, and then when I hit that goal, I still couldn’t go back to eating how I was eating. That would defeat the purpose.”
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Honestly can’t thank this guy enough for what he has helped me accomplish this past year. From getting up at 5am to go to the rec to going on our runs at the track. He pushed me and helped me do something I never thought I could do. I wouldn’t have been able to run the half marathon if it wasn’t for you. Thanks bro. #d4l
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Olds understands that while he has to maintain a healthier lifestyle, his diet can include a cheat meal now and then. He just can’t go over the edge.
“I really bettered my relationship with food,” he said. “I’m not always looking forward to my next meal. I think that’s where I didn’t see how I was really lacking, before, I could never have just one thing. I had to eat until I was disgusted with myself.”
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If you would have told me 4 years ago I would have just completed my second marathon I don’t think anyone would have believed you.
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From his weight to his mentality toward food to his everyday aches and pains, Olds said everything has improved.
“I wake up and feel good. I don’t hurt or anything. And then on the mental side of things, I’m so much more happy,” he said.
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As for what he’d like other people looking to lose weight to know, Olds made it clear you can’t force it.
“I wouldn’t ever force someone to lose weight but didn’t want to. They have to want to lose weight for themselves. Until they’re ready to lose the weight they won’t stick with it,” he said. “I didn’t want to officially start losing weight until I wanted to. Until I found a purpose. For me, I just want to live.”
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