Congratulations to our Summer 8 Week #1uptransformationchallenge Male 3rd place $4,000 cash prize winner Zachary Machuga (FB/Zachary.robert)
This is his story
“In January 2020, after the holidays, weight started accumulating. I started having cramping issues and tiredness all the time, which I blamed on Seasonal Affective Disorder. By February, I was unable to get my muscle cramps under control or my lack of energy, so I contacted my doctor.
Due to my medical history, my doctor assumed an autoimmune disorder was taking place. She ordered lab tests for Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and clotting disorders. Some results came back abnormal, but not enough for a diagnosis.
By the end of April, I was the heaviest I had ever been. I tried to work out at my house but my body would cramp up so bad I had to stop. Depression was setting in. At 211 pounds, I felt uncomfortable in my clothes and own skin, The 1UP Transformation FB ad hit me right when I needed it.
When I started, I tried to follow the workouts but my body wasn’t ready. I was able to do 12 minutes of the 24 minute cardio. Only able to complete two sets of the reps on weight lifting without cramping too badly to continue. I didn’t give up, I adapted to what my body could handle.
After one week I lost 9 pounds! I had started gaining cardio and physical strength already. Week 2 and 3 were pretty much smooth sailing. I was eating healthy, working out twice a day (cardio before breakfast and weight training after kids went to bed). It was becoming more of a normal routine. Then week 4 hit! Feeling overly motivated, in two days I rode 3 miles, swam 1.3/4 a mile, kayaked a 1/2 mile and did weight training. Weds morning, "I am sore as heck. " Thursday came and I could hardly move my upper body. I'd overworked myself so much that I messed up 3 days of workouts.
My recommendation is don't over do it. I lost a good week of normal workouts by pushing too hard. At Week 7 I joined a gym because I felt like I outgrew my home equipment! I signed up for the Fall challenge already because I know I can do better!”
