Breaking Barriers: Josh’s Journey to a New Life

Before and after photos of Josh Bennett

People have trouble recognizing Josh Bennett nowadays –– and for good reason. In December 2014, the tech support specialist II at Elkhart General weighed 305 pounds, could be regularly found drinking Mountain Dew and consuming lots of junk food. And today, he is a svelte, defined 177 pounds.

The course of his life changed forever on Dec. 1, 2014, during a wellness check for his one-year-old daughter Elliot. Beacon Medical Group family medicine physician Brandon Zabukovic, MD, observed that Josh’s obesity could be causing him major health problems. Sure enough, a blood pressure reading of 160/100 confirmed Josh’s worst nightmare –– he was on a path to a potentially shorter life due to poor eating habits and inconsistent exercise.

That news, ironically enough, would turn out to be a major blessing for the now 38-year-old husband and father. As he put it, “A light turned on.”

It’s a light that has only grown brighter as he recommits himself every day to a more healthy way of living. Josh’s life changed forever because he grasped in a powerful way the things that really mattered to him, like growing old with his wife, Victoria, and walking his daughter down the aisle at her wedding some day.

Dr. Zabukovic gave Josh two options. One option was to take medicine to lower his blood pressure and cholesterol. The more challenging, but rewarding, option was to begin a regimented exercise program and to change his eating habits. If he didn’t, a life of consuming health troubles awaited him.

“After I heard that,” Josh remembers, “I told myself, ‘This was it. This is my time.’ Everything became clear to me. I knew what I needed to do.”

So began a long, but fulfilling road to improved health and well-being. After the first month of four-day workouts that included 30 to 45 minutes on the elliptical machine/treadmill and overhauling his diet, Josh lost 20 pounds. He lost another 10 pounds in January followed by another 10 in February.

Seeing these tangible results only increased his commitment to keep going.

For a person who could eat an entire box of crackers or chips in a sitting, Josh was sticking to a dramatically different diet:

• Breakfast: Apple, oatmeal, protein bar and protein shake
• Lunch: Kale salad with chicken and ranch dressing
• Dinner: Oven-baked chicken, brown rice, broccoli and an apple

Nowadays, Josh allows himself a few healthy snacks throughout the day, but he otherwise sticks to his diet. And his efforts have more than paid off. Since December 2014, he has lost 128 pounds. He dropped his waist size from 48 to 32; his blood pressure and cholesterol are in a healthy range, and he is down to about 14 percent body fat.

“I feel so much better now –– it’s amazing. I am rarely sick, I have so much more energy and I get up right away each morning.”

Josh’s view of food is entirely different, too; rather that seeing it as a treat, he sees it as fuel to help him be the best husband, father and employee he can be.

Losing so much weight drastically altered Josh’s appearance, so much so that co-workers and acquaintances sometimes don’t recognize him.

“People will stop me, offer a compliment and ask me what I’ve done. Receiving compliments also motivates me to keep going.”

But it’s more than just helping himself become healthy. He is willing to share his story and health tips, too.

“It makes me feel good to help others.”

As part of his weight-loss journey, Josh has participated in the Beacon LiGHT program, including the Get Up & Go walking challenge in September 2015, as well as completing the Circle Wellness modules on lowering stress and eating healthy found at https://beacon.circlewell.com/login.

Having never been this healthy in his life, Josh never knew what he was missing. But now, knowing what he does and how he feels, he will never go back.

His advice: “Two years ago I believed it was impossible to lose weight. Now, I made these changes and here I am. Yes, it’s a time commitment, but aren’t you worth it?”

Ready to Get into Shape? Join Beacon Health & Fitness

As a Beacon associate, you don’t have to pay the enrollment fee to join Beacon Health & Fitness! Plus, Beacon associates and their immediate family members receive a discounted monthly membership.

If you’re not a Beacon associate, you can still save when you join Beacon Health & Fitness. Be one of the first 500 people to sign up and you’ll save up to 65 percent off the enrollment fee. Enjoy membership at the downtown facility as well as the new facility opening this fall in Mishawaka. Visit beaconhealthandfitness.org or call 574.647.2597 for more information.