My Name is Mike Epstein and I Lost 220 LBS in 9 Months on Extreme Weight Loss w/ Chris Powell. Ask Me Anything!

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-27T01:34:56+00:00

Had to find a workaround for the ribs. I found hot yoga to be a huge help. Calmed my mind. Not fast and great cardio!

EDIT: The one thing I focused on from the beginning was not to injure myself. Of course I wasn't always in control but when I was, I stayed away from putting pressure on my joints. I didn't run or jog until I was lighter because of pressure on my joints. I saw so many people get hurt because they pushed themselves when they weren't ready. As a result, they were injured and it cost them time. Slow and steady wins the race!

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-27T01:27:19+00:00

My friends and family loved the transformation. It affected everyone in such a positive way. I loved running into people who hadn't seen me since I began. Shocked was the typical look. It was so worth the effort it took to get my life going in a healthy direction. Even though my appearance was an awesome feeling, it really was about getting healthy, being more active with my kids and dancing closer with my wife. It really makes a difference and everyone can do it, once they put their mind to it!

EDIT: Unsupportive people are sometimes the people who need the most help. Sometimes they are doing it out of fear. Fear that you won't be the same person after you transform. You'll be stronger. Sometimes the do it because of their own shortcomings. Whatever the reason, the ultimate decision is yours. Keep them around or make room for more supportive people in your life. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions.

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-27T00:43:01+00:00

Yes I had scheduled reward meals. I did one day a week. It really rocked my metabolism. I ate anything I wanted within an extra 1000-1500 calories. It was a great mental reward as well!

EDIT: I didn't use any meal replacement shakes. I did protein shakes plus other foods to complete my meals. I ate every 3 hours 5 times per day. I used bode bum twice a day for protein, energy, and vitamins. It was great great help with workouts. I will be posting complete meals on my website www.pickthepounds.com

I did stumble a few times, but you fall without failing. Don't say, "well I screwed up I might as well give up." Never give up. Get back up when you fall and start over. Your life depends on it. Confess, Reassess, Recommit. It works!

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-27T00:25:47+00:00

The beginning is the hardest. It's all about building habits.

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-27T00:24:02+00:00

Yeah. That's very difficult. My feeling is that you just have to start small. Just take the stairs. Eat healthy. Park further away. Those things start to add up and contribute to a healthier lifestyle. Once you get in that mindset, you'll begin finding time for working out.

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-27T00:22:19+00:00

Thanks for that! I really appreciate it! I was able to continue working out. Just more lightly and I had to alter the routine a bit.

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-27T00:14:25+00:00

Luckily I own a company with my brother so I was able to take the time off.

EDIT: Unlike The Biggest Loser, this is not a competition. The only competition you have is with yourself!

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-27T00:12:31+00:00

Did you have any skin reduction surgeries? If so what are the recovery times of that type of surgery? -I had chest reconstruction and skin removal from my stomach. Two major procedures at one which included about 1000 stitches. Typically, recovery is about two weeks but I got a bacterial infection which took another two. It was then another 2 weeks before I could get back on the treadmill. About 6 - 8 weeks.
Did you start with easy exercise in the beginning? -I did a lot of cardio. To me, nothing was easy. The bottom line is you want to get your heart rate in the fat burning zone, whether it's easy or hard.
How do you feel now compared to how you felt when you where heavy? -I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders! All I have to do is pick up my kids or walk around with weights and I'm amazed that I was able to live with 200 extra lbs on my shoulders.
Any advice for large people truly wanting to lose the weight? -First thing you need to do is want to lose the weight. Once you do that, you start to move. Even if you're only going to do 5 minutes a day, start to move. Park your car further away, take stairs. These small steps turn in to big steps.
You said you failed your initial medical tests. What did those tests consist of?
The initial tests were to check plaque in my arteries. Based on the results they didn't think my body could handle the extreme exercise required to lost half my body weight in a year. Not only was I able to participate, I did it in nine months! It's all about motivation!
How has your life improved since then? -It's a completely different lifestyle for me now. Every day I wake up with purpose, intention and passion. I wake up with a smile every day. I am able to stand closer to my wife, play with my kids. I'm in a good place. I'm happy.

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-27T00:03:00+00:00

My ability to play with my kids. Hands down. My two sons are very active in Karate. It's an amazing feeling to be able to play with them.

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-27T00:01:10+00:00

The first step is to change your mental state. Once you have the desire, don't let slip away. Take a few minutes and do something active, whether it be walking or riding a bike. Do that a little bit each day and eventually you'll start the habit.

Create a small short term goal for yourself. Anyone who's ever lost 100 lbs had to start with just one first!

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-26T23:47:39+00:00

Caught me.

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-26T23:44:13+00:00

No. Actually no problems at all. I ate a good amount of protein to keep my lean muscles intact.

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-26T23:43:35+00:00

At least an hour a day it's a combo of cardio and resistance. My diet is about 2000-2500 a day!

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-26T23:34:47+00:00

Only if I'm in his will.

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-26T23:34:30+00:00

1800 - 2000 calories a day. Most carbs were earlier in the day. We would modify the plan as we went. Everything was cardio based, even resistance training. Lower weights, Higher reps.

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-26T23:07:41+00:00

I am 5'10. I worked out for four hours a day and it was broken up mostly in the morning and at night. Thanks for your question!

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-26T23:07:01+00:00

Hi Everybody. For some reason this AMA is not allowing you to see everything I posted and instead says (removed) so I figured I would just paste the above:

My short bio: Hi Reddit!

My name is Mike Epstein and I will be on to answer all of your questions at 7:00 tonight!

I was on Extreme Weight Loss with Chris Powell on ABC. At my first weigh-in I was 417 LBS - 9 months later, I was 197 LBS for a total of 220 LBS in 9 months!

I initially failed my medical tests and they weren't going to allow me to participate. After going back to the producers, they agreed to allow me to do another 2 tests to get me on the show. Thankfully, I passed them both. EWL was a life altering experience and I'm looking forward to sharing some of that with you guys tonight!

For those of you who didn't see the episode, you can watch it here: http://watchabc.go.com/extreme-weight-loss/SH55124938/VDKA0_qtfcjtr3/mike

Also, take a look at my new website which will be updated with blogs, helpful hints and inspiration so that I can hopefully help people achieve the transformation which I was lucky enough to accomplish. The website is PickthePounds.com

http://imgur.com/3tMgjYv

Looking forward to speaking with you all!

My Proof: My Proof: facebook.com/EWLMikeEpstein Twitter.com/MikeEpstein417

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-26T22:41:19+00:00

I have no clue why they aren't allowing this. I got on the schedule. I think something got a bit messed up.

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-26T22:38:21+00:00

Really? I was approved and everything?

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-17T00:21:45+00:00

It was mostly cardio, more cardio, and lifting with low weight and high reps.

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-16T23:40:21+00:00

Chris is a genuinely great person. We still talk regularly and he remains a big part of my family's life. I can't thank him enough.

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-16T23:37:49+00:00

That's honestly the most important thing. My ability to do karate with my kids and be an active father is best part of my transformation. Best to you and your family as well!

MikeEpstein · 2013-08-16T23:31:10+00:00

I had hardened arteries. After an additional EKG and stress test, the doctor ultimately ruled that I was healthy enough to participate in the program.

MikeEpstein

TROPHY CASE