Bill's Story

By: Bill Koutselas

Don't ask me why. Something just snapped. I said: "Self! Get your fat ...(you know what) off that couch and get to a gym!"

I walked into the Talisman Center, bought a membership, changed into some old runners and a pair of shorts that were way too tight from high school, went up to the track, ran around it about three or four times and went home. Baby steps right? That night back at home, dragging myself up the stairs and subsequently just about nose-diving down the stairs the next morning, was one of the toughest things I've ever done. That's how out of shape I was. I was 30 years old, 5-11, 215lbs, and I had given up. I smoked, drank and ate like it was going out of style. The fact that I didn't weigh 315lbs, was nothing short of a miracle. I would work nights as a cook and at the end of my shift, bring enough food home to feed an army. After all, I did get it for free. Then at around 10pm, 11pm or even midnight sometimes, I would sit on the couch, watch a movie, and eat. And eat. And eat.

To understand the reason I said "get my life back", you have to understand that I was always the young active energetic guy. Always running around. Riding my bike, horse back riding, swimming. I wasn't a star athlete or anything. But I wasn't lazy. Fast forward 10 years and I was my own worst nightmare. Ambitiously lazy. I had lost all of my self confidence. I was angry with my self because of who I'd become. Barely did anything but watched movies, worked when I had to, and ate. Not to mention that my body hurt. I don't remember exactly what, but there was always something that hurt. Knees. Neck. Back. Always something. Worst part? I had no reason to be proud of myself anymore.

Well, because of many different circumstances, I ended up changing jobs. One day I happened to be talking to a friend at my new job about having just gotten my Talisman membership. He started telling me about some "Ripped" classes at the Talisman which he often went to. "Mostly to meet chicks," as he put it. So, while running around the track every now and then, I started paying attention to these classes held just beneath me. One day I even got enough courage to sneak into the back of one of these classes. Fast forward 8 months and I lost 50lbs! That's right! 165lbs baby! Maybe that sounded a bit too easy. Well it wasn't. I had to learn how to eat better, stretch, work out smarter not harder. Most of which I learned from other members of the class, as well as the instructors. Did my body ever hurt for a couple of months. Still have too talk myself into going sometimes. Still get lazy.

So, what gave me that motivation I so desperately needed? The people. Every shape, size, color and race! Just sweating it out together and fighting for something better. Something more than what they, and I for that matter, had been living for. More life! The best part? Nobody really cared that I sucked at it. Complete strangers would come up to me after a class and ask: "First time buddy?" "Why yes" I'd say, trying not to pass out and throw up at the same time. "Nice job!" they'd say. That's the thing about Ripped. Nobody cares. In a good way. You don't have to keep up with the person beside you. You just have to be true to yourself. Aside from learning to properly exercise, what's taught, is that no matter who you are, however beat up you've allowed yourself to become, and most importantly, no matter if you believe it or not, you can change.

Well, I'm proud to say that I've changed. I now try and get in on as many classes of not only Ripped but whatever else I can get time for. Spin classes. Weight lifting classes. Whatever. I'm more active than I've ever been. Feel better than I ever have. Learned to watch what I eat. Learned to stretch. Even quit smoking!

Bottom line? If you're reading this asking yourself, “How did he do it?” Just remember that I didn't do anything special. I just stuck with what turns out, I already knew. Stop pigging out, regular exercise and no matter what, don't ever give up on yourself. I know this is corny but, if I did it, so can you. Now go get your life back!