Travis's Story
My name is Travis Hogenson. I am 26 years old and a native to beautiful Colorado. And I am a food addict. Just like any addiction, it becomes a serious problem when you lose control. And also like any addiction, that point came long before I actually realized it.
I'd always been a big kid, but during high school (at about age 15) my parents started having problems and I did not take it well. I lived with my dad, who is a wonderful cook that always prepared rich and delicious food. My dad also taught me how to cook, which I was very grateful for. I began taking comfort in cooking and eating. I had control over what to make and what to eat, I chose food that tasted good... and I ate lots of it. At my heaviest recorded weight, I was 314 pounds and 5`6". At 15 years old, that was a lot of weight to bear. The fact that I had picked up the habit of smoking in high school did not help any of this either. I had friends and I was generally happy, at that time I did not feel I had a problem.
After high school, my food and meal choices did not improve. It is also likely that my weight went up from 314, but I did not care to weigh myself much in those days. Around the beginning of February 2009, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. To this day, I am still in remission! But as a young man at age 20, the surgical procedure and treatment of that particular cancer was quite traumatizing. After treatment and reaching remission, I was thankful I had made it, but I became depressed. I continued my comfort eating lifestyle to deal with the emotions, the confusion, and the pain I felt from the diagnosis. The depression eventually subsided, but the eating habits did not. They continued through the birth of my two girls, through the end of a difficult relationship with my daughter`s mother, and through my job that seemed to be going nowhere.
A serious life-changing moment occurred when I was offered a management position in a different auto parts company. At this point, my perspective switched: I had a great job, I was no longer in a painful relationship, I still have two beautiful daughters, and maybe the most obvious of all - I survived cancer. I had a renewed faith in my future, and I knew I had to make some more positive changes in my life.
I decided that quitting smoking was a good start. Being a smoker is what I liked the least about myself; so I tackled it first. Though it was very difficult and a huge test of will, I did it! This success was proof that I had self-control and the ability to change the things in my life with which I was displeased. After quitting smoking, I was finally able to come to terms with the reality that I had a problem with my weight. I did not like that I was obese and I felt unhealthy. My weight and my appearance were a product of my choices and the lifestyle to which I had become accustomed. It was time to make better choices. Not knowing much about my body chemistry and my condition I quickly joined a gym; thinking that was the most effective tool for weight loss. I worked with a personal trainer who taught me just enough to get started. Over the next four months, I went to the gym 2-5 days we, and I lose 40 pounds! Eventually, though, I plateaued. I remained at 49 pounds down for several weeks and I was devastated. I decided to ease off the gym and I began to gain weight again... and in two months' time, I had gained back 42 pounds. It was at that moment that it really hit me that I had a problem - I was an addict, and I needed help.
To get this weight loss right, I knew I needed to be educated and find out where I went wrong. My search for help led me to Metabolic Research Center (MRC). I had heard about MRC on the radio, but I knew little about the program. I looked them up online and began to read about their program on their website. I read that I prepare all the food and did my own shopping. This was perfect for me. I signed up for a consultation. The woman I met with was very friendly and understood that it was difficult for me to admit that I had lost control, and I needed help. I was happy to hear her tell me that I would be provided an education around weight loss. MRC teaches you how much of what to eat and provides you with the proper supplements to aid in your weight loss. I couldn't believe it could be so simple.
I started my week of detox and education right away - eager to begin learning how to lose weight properly. Up to this point I had the belief that weight loss was all about the exercise and being conscious of what you eat. It turns out I was in for a few surprises. The first thing I remember learning was about sugar and its role in weight gain and loss. The second was that portion control alone wasn't enough - you had to have a balanced meal. Lastly, I remember learning how much of an impact exercise has on weight loss as it compares to controlling the food you eat.
MRC provided me with a simple menu comprised of whole food such as steak, chicken, bison, shrimp, fish and even bacon! They showed me that I can still have variety with my meals. There is a long list of proteins, carbs and veggies to choose from, to cook with, and to create with. That is what I enjoyed the most - the ability to remain creative with my food but still lose weight. Even though I was already pretty well-versed in cooking, MRC still open my eyes to new flavors and combinations I had never used before! MRC gave me a completely new perspective on food and meals. The education I received will not wear off when the program ends. I will carry it with me the rest of my life. I started the program with the expectation of receiving an education and losing weight, and I certainly received all of that! At the day of my consultation, my weight was at 307lbs at 32% body fat. Today, on August 25, 2015, I weigh 222.5 and am well under 20% body fat. I have lost 84.5lbs on this program, and I owe a huge thanks to the team at Greeley MRC. Thank you so much! You have helped me in so many ways.
The team at MRC will guide you, coach you, and hold you accountable during every stage of your weight loss journey. This program works and I could not be happier with the results! If there's one thing I want anyone to take away from my story, it's this: weight loss is a journey that is not always easy (no matter how simple it is). I have struggled with my weight my whole life, and I wanted to make a change. That was a choice that I had the power to make. I wanted to be healthier. I also wanted to be more confident about the way I look. Most of all I wanted to make sure that I would see my girls grow up.
There team at MRC that not only want to help you, but they want to join you on your journey of self-improvement. If you have lost control, take it back! It's all up to you... it always has been. Make a choice. Make a change.
*Success stories shown are from actual Metabolic Research Center clients who followed the MRC program, prepared their own food, visited an MRC center regularly, and modified their diet and lifestyle. Results are not typical and will vary.
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