Wrestler drops 200 pounds in just one year
Wrestler drops 200 pounds in just one year
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Mind of Mr. Perfect
By Tyler Huey, Nisqually Valley News
Published: Friday, May 15, 2009 3:45 PM PDT
<!--[include_if_component:movie-file:1:incs/story/movie.inc]--> Trim body fat. Tone up. Flatten that spare tire.
If those thoughts have ever crossed your mind, you’re certainly not alone. At one time or another, most everyone has battled the bulge.
Now think of what it would take to lose 200 pounds in one year — without surgery.
That was 45-year-old Terence Haynes’ goal. And not only did he accomplish it, Haynes now wrestles on a DIII college team.
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Say what? You heard me. Talk about a one-year wonder.
Haynes’ story was recently featured on “E:60,” an investigative journalism show on ESPN.
Seeing his before and after pictures is enlightening. Not only is his transformation incredible, it makes everyone else’s failed attempts look futile.
He is 5-foot-9 and on Dec. 9, 2007, weighed 405 pounds.
“Food — food made me feel like I had no cares in the world,” Haynes said. “It was like a drug. I’d hide it under my bed, under a pillow, in my pants.”
But it wasn’t always like that. Haynes grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. As a senior in high school he weighed 237 pounds and was the captain of his football team, playing running back, nose guard, linebacker and kicker.
But everything changed in 1982. As a sophomore at nearby Baldwin-Wallace College, Haynes’ mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, so he dropped out to support his family. At this point, food was his savior. Wrestling, rather sports in general, were no longer an option.
“When I had to hang up my cleats, I felt like I didn’t even have a reason to live,” Haynes said. “So I had to refocus more on her versus my own needs. But on the other hand, what brought me comfort was more food.”
As a 28-year-old fast food manager, Haynes’ weight ballooned, his self-esteem plummeted and his bank account crashed — no thanks to spending about $2,500 per month on food.
“I didn’t pay my bills all the time,” Haynes said. “My lights were off, my gas was off and I didn’t have running water.”
“Food was much more important.”
How important? Try about 20,000 calories per day throughout his 30s and early 40s. The athlete of his past disappeared with each cheeseburger and french fry.
“He was eating to kill himself,” said Dr. Karen Cooper, Cleveland Clinic Physician. “If he had not stopped, I’m sure he would not be around much longer.”
Haynes was digging his own grave and it looked like things would only get worse.
Take 2005 as a prime example:
“Getting in my car and breaking the car’s seat,” Haynes said. “How can I break my own car seat? I felt like I began to just sink into the ground. I couldn’t take this any longer.”
But Haynes’ life turned around in April 2007. Now weighing more than 430 pounds, Haynes met a personal trainer at a local gym. It took a lot of persuasion but in December 2007, with his trainer’s help, Haynes dedicated himself to lose 200 pounds in one year.
With an 1,800 calorie diet and working out four to six times a week, Haynes lost 150 pounds in nine months. From there, the pounds continued to fall.
Now enter wrestling.
In 2008, at age 45, Haynes reenrolled at Baldwin-Wallace to earn his bachelor’s degree. After talking with the school’s wrestling coach, Haynes was invited to tryout.
Haynes made the team and went 2-13 last season. But his win-loss record was insignificant. Like every other wrestler, making weight was Haynes’ focus.
As of January 2009, Haynes weighed 227 pounds, besting his goal of weighing less than 230.
“I don’t remember this weight,” he said. “Wow.”
Talk about the understatement of the year. This is more than a “wow” moment. Not only did Haynes achieve his weight loss goal, which motivated him to reenroll in college, he made the wrestling team.
Talk about a turnaround that showcased what hard work and dedication can lead to. Who else has worked that hard to achieve something? Probably not many.
Even calling this inspirational may not be giving him his due.
However, just for the heck of it, might as well play devil’s advocate because there’s one downside to this fairy tale ending:
He didn’t become rich like The Subway Guy.
Wrestler drops 200 pounds in just one year
<center></center>
Mind of Mr. Perfect
By Tyler Huey, Nisqually Valley News
Published: Friday, May 15, 2009 3:45 PM PDT
<!--[include_if_component:movie-file:1:incs/story/movie.inc]--> Trim body fat. Tone up. Flatten that spare tire.
If those thoughts have ever crossed your mind, you’re certainly not alone. At one time or another, most everyone has battled the bulge.
Now think of what it would take to lose 200 pounds in one year — without surgery.
That was 45-year-old Terence Haynes’ goal. And not only did he accomplish it, Haynes now wrestles on a DIII college team.
<!-- AdSys ad not found for sports:instory -->
Say what? You heard me. Talk about a one-year wonder.
Haynes’ story was recently featured on “E:60,” an investigative journalism show on ESPN.
Seeing his before and after pictures is enlightening. Not only is his transformation incredible, it makes everyone else’s failed attempts look futile.
He is 5-foot-9 and on Dec. 9, 2007, weighed 405 pounds.
“Food — food made me feel like I had no cares in the world,” Haynes said. “It was like a drug. I’d hide it under my bed, under a pillow, in my pants.”
But it wasn’t always like that. Haynes grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. As a senior in high school he weighed 237 pounds and was the captain of his football team, playing running back, nose guard, linebacker and kicker.
But everything changed in 1982. As a sophomore at nearby Baldwin-Wallace College, Haynes’ mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, so he dropped out to support his family. At this point, food was his savior. Wrestling, rather sports in general, were no longer an option.
“When I had to hang up my cleats, I felt like I didn’t even have a reason to live,” Haynes said. “So I had to refocus more on her versus my own needs. But on the other hand, what brought me comfort was more food.”
As a 28-year-old fast food manager, Haynes’ weight ballooned, his self-esteem plummeted and his bank account crashed — no thanks to spending about $2,500 per month on food.
“I didn’t pay my bills all the time,” Haynes said. “My lights were off, my gas was off and I didn’t have running water.”
“Food was much more important.”
How important? Try about 20,000 calories per day throughout his 30s and early 40s. The athlete of his past disappeared with each cheeseburger and french fry.
“He was eating to kill himself,” said Dr. Karen Cooper, Cleveland Clinic Physician. “If he had not stopped, I’m sure he would not be around much longer.”
Haynes was digging his own grave and it looked like things would only get worse.
Take 2005 as a prime example:
“Getting in my car and breaking the car’s seat,” Haynes said. “How can I break my own car seat? I felt like I began to just sink into the ground. I couldn’t take this any longer.”
But Haynes’ life turned around in April 2007. Now weighing more than 430 pounds, Haynes met a personal trainer at a local gym. It took a lot of persuasion but in December 2007, with his trainer’s help, Haynes dedicated himself to lose 200 pounds in one year.
With an 1,800 calorie diet and working out four to six times a week, Haynes lost 150 pounds in nine months. From there, the pounds continued to fall.
Now enter wrestling.
In 2008, at age 45, Haynes reenrolled at Baldwin-Wallace to earn his bachelor’s degree. After talking with the school’s wrestling coach, Haynes was invited to tryout.
Haynes made the team and went 2-13 last season. But his win-loss record was insignificant. Like every other wrestler, making weight was Haynes’ focus.
As of January 2009, Haynes weighed 227 pounds, besting his goal of weighing less than 230.
“I don’t remember this weight,” he said. “Wow.”
Talk about the understatement of the year. This is more than a “wow” moment. Not only did Haynes achieve his weight loss goal, which motivated him to reenroll in college, he made the wrestling team.
Talk about a turnaround that showcased what hard work and dedication can lead to. Who else has worked that hard to achieve something? Probably not many.
Even calling this inspirational may not be giving him his due.
However, just for the heck of it, might as well play devil’s advocate because there’s one downside to this fairy tale ending:
He didn’t become rich like The Subway Guy.
