How a Man Dropped 100 Pounds and Found a New Way of Living

Martin Christiansen, now 53, has shed over 100 pounds, but his journey wasn't straightforward.

The Struggle

• Stress and Comfort Eating: For years, he struggled with his weight, especially during stressful times like finishing his Ph.D. He turned to food for comfort, often feeling hungry no matter how much he ate.
• Peak Weight: At his heaviest, he weighed 386 pounds.

The Attempts

• Running: Helped for a while, but injuries sidelined him.
• Diets: Experimented with various diets, even creating his own data-backed approach. Found some success with the Greger Diet, but his weight still fluctuated.

The Breakthrough

• Structured Program: His doctor suggested the Johns Hopkins Healthful Eating, Activity & Weight Program, which helped him create a personalized plan.
• Combination Approach: Combined walking, weightlifting, and woodworking with a new medication called Mounjaro, which helps control appetite.

The Unique Approach

• Engineering Mindset: Tracks his progress like an engineer, using spreadsheets and calculations. Compares his weight loss to clinical study results.
• Current Status: Today, he's down to 275.5 pounds and feels much healthier. His blood pressure is normal, and he's more active than ever.

The Philosophy

• No Specific Goal: Doesn't have a specific weight goal anymore. Focuses on maintaining his new lifestyle.
• Lifestyle Changes: Eats whole foods, avoids junk, and stays active.
• Key Lesson: Losing weight isn't just about diet or exercise—it's about finding what works for you and sticking with it.