Weight Loss Transformation: Kyron Edwards
16 and Obese
At the age of 16 I weighed in at 146 kgs (322 lbs), being classed as severely obese. I was never a skinny kid, always struggling with my weight, but that was my peak and I still can’t believe I let it happen. Being 16 and 146 kgs (322 lbs) took a massive toll on my lifestyle. I was always bullied about my weight, not able to participate in sports because I was too big, and lacked the confidence to meet new people.
So, I was left with a choice: change myself or waste my youth? I decided to change. I went to a doctor and I’ll never forget what he said. He told me I was too far beyond fixing, that I should learn to accept how I am and be ready for years of health issues. Instead of listening to him, I did the opposite.
Without any knowledge of what to do, I started by joining the local rugby club which consists of cardio 3 days/week. Not knowing a lot about nutrition at the time, I made dramatic changes: cut out all soft drinks, all fast food and all food after dinner. I was only eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner—nothing else.
Around 7 months later, I weighed about 105 kgs (232 lbs). This was a big improvement from where I started, but I still had a long way to go. After footy, I started idolizing the great bodybuilders, like Arnold, so I joined a gym. Like everyone at first, I did everything wrong and with bad form but stuck with it because I was motivated to regain my life.
After a few months of going to the gym, with no formal programs or dieting, I started doing my research and found some exercise programs and diets. At first I was just doing a simple bodybuilding routine, 3 sets of 8 to 10, 5 days a week—mainly isolation exercises. I was getting results, but then a friend introduced me to power lifting and I loved it! I loved my deadlifts, squats, bench press and military press.
Suddenly I just wanted to be strong, but also wanted to build muscle. The routine I used then, I still use now. For example, for chest I’ll start with bench at my heaviest weight of 100 kgs (221 lbs) and do 5 sets of 5, purely working on strengthening. I’ll follow that with about 5 lighter weight exercise, more targeted towards bodybuilding (i.e. incline dumbbell, ‘flys’, cables machine) for 8 to 10 reps. I’ve done a mix of compound and isolation to get where I am today—I love both so much that I can’t choose just one!
So, after about 5 months of this, I was down to 80 kgs (176 lbs) and that’s when the real fun began: strict eating and heavy lifting. There are walls and barriers you hit, but it’s part of the journey. After losing all that weight I became addicted to the gym and put on 15 kgs (33 lbs) of muscle – that’s what I sit at the moment.
I still rarely drink soft drinks or eat junk; those foods make me feel sick. I follow the 6-meals-a-day plan, and I don’t count calories or Macros. I just make sure I eat my meals, like eggs and rye bread for breakfast, chicken with brown rice and broccoli for lunch, have fruit for snacks and try to avoid carbs at night. My training has improved a lot as well, doing 5 to 6 days/week, but I’m still young and like to go out which makes it hard to be serious 100% of the time.
This journey started about losing weight, but turned into so much more. Though my stomach still needs some work (in my opinion) and I struggle with excess skin, I still look down and proudly think about how far I’ve come.
Here are my 3 tips for anyone wanting to lose weight:
1 . Never forget why you’re doing it.
Don’t forget why you started or your lose sight of your goals. Results won’t happen overnight! It will take dedication, so when you feel like giving in just remind yourself how badly you want it. It’s not easy, but the reward is so much sweeter then food!
2. You have to want it.
This is one of the most important! I’ve seen people try for like 2 weeks, then quit because nothing changes. You must accept that it’s not an easy road, so it all comes down to how badly you want it and how hard you are willing to work for it.
3. Be proud.
I am nowhere near where I want to be, but I’m proud of losing 65 kgs (143 lbs). It took me a long time to get where I am, and there’s room for me to improve, but I’ve changed my lifestyle to the point where I will now live a long and healthy life. If I can do it, so can you!
Follow Kyron on Instagram! @kyron1001
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