After eating 18 hot dogs in one sitting to win a bet, Amer Ismail found the motivation to lose almost half his body weight.
Amer, 27, has struggled with weight most of his life, weighing almost 470lbs at his heaviest. Ismail, of Houston, Texas, managed to lose 241lbs after realising he couldn’t continue living the way he was.
Amer told Truly: “I felt like a freakshow, to get the respect I always wanted I had to first respect myself.”
Amer was obese from the age of six and grew up using his sense of humour as a defence mechanism. “I had to disrespect myself first so other people wouldn’t get to me, but I always wanted to be just like everyone else.”
In 2016, Amer’s friends put money on him eating 18 hot dogs at a Houston Astros baseball game. Amer won the bet and vomited afterwards, but the humiliation of it stayed with him long after that. “I realised I was embarrassing myself and they were laughing at me not with me.”
Since then, Amer has lost over 240lbs, working out six or seven times a week. Amer, who runs, practices yoga and weight training, says “consistency is key” to losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Since his weight loss, he’s been able to run a marathon, learn to ski and climb a mountain.
He has also found love with his girlfriend Cindy, who teaches yoga. However, his biggest achievement yet is simply fitting in with others: “I am proud of being able to walk down the street as a normal person, it’s the happiest and craziest feeling.”
Our biggest takeaway is Amer trying lots of different disciplines, from long-distance running to skiing, hiking and yoga. A study published in the scientific journal Translational Behavioural Medicine examined the "multidimensionality" of people who work out.
The study found the more disciplines the individual took part in, the more active they were. They were also more likely to continue to stay active. If you're looking to make a change in your life, like Amer did, try lots of different forms of exercise so you find the things you love to do. Do you love the great outdoors? Grab yourself a pair of the best trail running shoes. Prefer a controlled environment? YOu might be better off with these best treadmill picks. Working out should be a pleasure, not a chore.
Liked this?
-
Forget the gym—all you need are two dumbbells and five moves to build muscle all over at homeWorkout Work all the main muscle groups in just 20 minutes with this dumbbell workout
-
I didn't realise how much walking 10,000 steps a day was benefitting my health until I stopped10,000 steps This is the one healthy habit I can't wait to get back to
-
Real life weight loss: How this woman lost 100lbs in less than a year (and kept it off)Weight loss Londoner Martyna lost 100lbs in a year after placing a bet against herself online
-
Real life weight loss: How Chris lost nearly 180lbs safely and sustainably over 4 yearsWeight Loss Californian Chris began his weight loss after looking in the mirror and seeing "nothing but a heart attack" waiting for him
-
Real life weight loss: This mom credits the keto diet for losing 88lbs in seven monthsWeight loss Mom-of-two Jessica fought through family health issues to lose weight and become the best she could be for her children
-
Real life weight loss: From being 360lbs and anxious to losing 160lbs in two yearsWeight loss Thomas was approaching 400lbs, anxious and depressed. Now, he's 160lbs down, active and more outgoing
-
Real life weight loss: This woman lost 90lbs (and sustained it for 15 years)Weight loss Tameika Gentles, 34, was asked to book a second seat on an aeroplane at 19. She lost 90lbs in nine months (and kept it off)
-
Real life weight loss: How this woman lost 105lbs after getting pregnant at 21Weight loss Brianna became a single mother and decided to turn her life around for her daughter, losing 105lbs
-
Real life weight loss: How this California man lost 242lbs in two yearsWeight loss Matthew Rivera lost an incredible amount of weight, going from 487lbs to 242lbs in just two years with lifestyle changes
-
Real life weight loss: How this woman lost 200lbs through healthy lifestyle changesWeight loss Danitza Casas lost an incredible 200lbs with the help of walking, spin classes and an accountability partner
