Channel Coach Loses 150 Pounds
The VAR Guy has been bulking up for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks — eating far too much during the holidays. (Munch, munch, munch.) If your waistline also is in expansion mode perhaps it’s time for some motivational reading. One story worth tracking: Channel coach Stuart Selbst has dropped nearly 150 pounds in 2011. Big numbers for a shrinking guy. Selbst claims the weight loss has changed his life in multiple ways. Here’s the tale of the tape…
The VAR Guy: When did you decide to drop the weight?
Selbst: I always knew that my weight was spinning out of control, but I decided that it was finally time to do something about it when I saw that I had hit the 400 pound mark and it was getting harder to do normal everyday tasks.
The VAR Guy: Have you combined both surgery and a change in lifestyle to lose the weight?
Selbst: I did have weight loss surgery. I had a procedure called the Sleeve Gastrostomy. In addition to the surgery, I made a huge change to the way I approach food, exercise and life.
The VAR Guy: Are you hitting the gym or doing anything else special to tone up?
Selbst: I did join the gym, but bad habits don’t go away. I didn’t like going so I cancelled my membership. One of the things that I enjoy doing is getting in my morning walk/run. Each day my wife and I doing two to four miles. We track our walking with the Nike +GPS.
The VAR Guy: What has been the biggest benefit/upside to the weight loss?
Selbst: The biggest benefit is that I am so very much more healthy and I can just do. I am not always thinking about my next meal, I am thinking who can I help.
(Side note: In another conversation, Selbst said it’s easier to make good first impressions with people now because he’s judged for his expertise rather than his weight.)
The VAR Guy: What’s your total weight loss so far? And what year/month did you start taking off the weight?
Selbst: To date I have lost 146 pounds. I had my surgery on February 28, but two-and-a-half weeks before the procedure I had to go on a liquid diet to shrink the fat around my liver. To answer the question, February 2011 is when I started taking off the weight.
The VAR Guy: How much more do you hope to lose? Or are you in maintenance mode now?
Selbst: I am planning to lose another 5o pounds or so, my goal weight is around 205 pounds. Once I hit that and maintain it for 6 months, I am planning to have skin removal surgery to remove the extra skin from my stomach area.
New Focus for 2012
Selbst also is planning some professional changes for 2012. Instead of coaching micro MSPs (typically $500,000 or so in annual revenues) he’s moving up market to focus on larger IT service providers. He’s taking on only 10 clients.
Stay healthy, Stu.
congrats to him! What an accomplishment and inspiration to all of us (me included).
Unicorn: Call “him” Stu… he’s a down-to-earth guy. Have a great holiday and thanks for your readership throughout 2011.
-TVG
VG,
Thanks for the shout out. I just hope to be an inspiration to others who are also dealing with health issues. My job as a coach is to help others achieve their goals not only in business, but personally as well.
Happy holidays to all of TVG readers and everyone at Nine Lives Media.
Stu
An inspirational story about one of the top people I know in this industry!
Congrats Stu – and we can’t forget Loree who succeeded in the journey as well.
Happy holidays!
-jm
Thanks for publishing this article. I am very proud of my husband Stuart for taking charge of his life and regaining his health. His professional as well as personal growth and accomplishments are many this year.
Thanks to Jay for the acknowledgement as well.
Wishing everyone a healthy and happy New Year!
Loree
I know is very frustrating to be overweight and in the same time is unhealthy. My husband was overweight for many years and he tried so many diets with no notable results. Finally he found a weight loss program that followed on TIPSTODIET.COM and had good results. He lost more than 40 lbs,and the most important thing is that he maintains his body weight even now after 1 year. He feels much better and I am so happy for him.
Everyone can do this!
[email protected]: Be well.
[email protected]: Always a pleasure.
[email protected]: Congrats on your weight loss and health as well. Continued success in 2012.
-TVG
Stu – you know we have always thought highly of you. It is so good to see how happy and healthy you are. What a terrific way to begin 2012; and what a lucky guy you are to have the support of Loree, your family and all your friends in the industry as well. Cheers. ABK
Stu- HUGE congrats to you! Everyone at Axcient is so proud of your accomplishment and dedication to good health! Impressive! You are a wonderful partner and friend. Here’s to a healthy and prosperous 2012.
-Tina