Judith McGinnis , Times Record News 5:57 a.m. CT Feb. 8, 2017
Andy Albertson before he lost 175 pounds(Photo: Contributed photo)
While too many think weight loss can be a quick and easy, Andy Albertson knows better.
Determination, will power and years-long commitment were the baseline of Albertsons life change.
Tuesday night friends and family gathered at The Maplewood for a big reveal. Andys been quiet about his loss of 175 pounds. Rather than post to Facebook, his journey is the focus of a documentary.
I started on my own for the first 20 pounds. I dont remember what day I quit eating fast food, Andy said, taking a few minutes before hitting the gym at Bill Bartley Branch YMCA. Then I got with Jerry (Hughes) who put me on a nutrition plan for five months.
Trainer Jerry Hughes, left, talks with his client, Andy Albertson who lost more than 170 pounds over two years. Hughes helped Albertson establish a nutrition plan and workout regimen.(Photo: Torin Halsey/Times Record News)
Andy is an inspiration in several categories, said Hughes, head of Hughes Training and Nutrition. His hard work and dedication set a good example for all those people who think they can get a quick fix to weight loss. There is no fast solution.
Although early sports physicals referred to Andy as a healthy kid, by the time he started 7th grade increased cholesterol levels were identified.
Watching the recent changes in Andys life, his mom, Mary, says she was surprised to see her sons constant focus on a healthier diet.
He was eating things Id never seen him eat before, broccoli and a lot of other vegetables, said Mary, a self-confessed classic Southern cook. He kept on the same meal plans every day. His mindset changed.
Andy Albertson works out under the supervision of his trainer, Jerry Hughes, left, at the Bill Bartley YMCA. Albertson, 22, weighs 145 pounds after reaching a high of 317 pounds two years ago.(Photo: Torin Halsey/Times Record News)
And his palate changed. Some people think that anyone with this strong a commitment is obsessed, said Hughes. Its been said that obsessed is a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated.
In the beginningAndy, 22, had a resting heart rate of 85 (beats per minute). Now its 40. The heart, Hughes explained, is like a car. Higher heart rates can put too much wear and tear on it.
There was no getting Andy off the daily rhythm of diet and exercise. He passed on a family trip to Mexico; when traveling he packed a cooler with his own meals.
His menus include: oatmeal and cooked egg whites for breakfast; a pre-workout protein shake; a post-workout shake and fruit (usually an apple); chicken and asparagus or broccoli for dinner.
Sometimes I throw some yogurt in there, Andy said with a grin.
The Albertsons, including Andys dad Darrell, are a host family to three Wildcats hockey players. While players devoured buffalo wings on Super Bowl Sunday, Andy crushed high protein Quest Chips, coated a chicken breast with them, baked it and dipped it in a little buffalo sauce.
Andy Albertson works out at the Bill Bartley YMCA as his trainer, Jerry Hughes, advises and encourages. Albertson decided two years ago he was tired of being obese and has lost more than 170 pounds.(Photo: Torin Halsey/Times Record News)
Mary saysshe saw Andys weight gain increase after he graduated high school, started at Vernon College, and picked up more fast food.
I began to ask myself, what is his future, what kind of jobs
can he get? said Mary, who is now visiting the gym regularly and taking on her own weight challenge. Weve had long talks and I told Andy Id done him a disservice. Andy will break the cycle. My part is to get parents to tell their kids, dont let this happen to you.
Some people Ive met have told me that once Ive met my goals, as I get older I wont stick with it, said Andy. This is the something I will always do, a lifestyle that will always be part of me.
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