Nathan Smith weighed 275 lb. by age 15. By 21, he had reached 400 lb.
Smith says his weight-loss efforts before CrossFit were futile.
“I would go on some extreme diet, and that’s just not sustainable,” he says. “It would work for about two weeks. … All that did was just leave me feeling more defeated.”
Smith says he frequently awoke with chest pains and experienced shortness of breath when tying his shoes. Realizing death might come knocking on his door if he didn’t make a change, he started walking for exercise and focused on his nutrition.
“I started to cut out the sweets, and the sugars and Coca-Colas,” he says. “Just that initial shock to the system was enough to start seeing some pretty big results.”
Smith lost 40 lb. on his own before finding Premier CrossFit in Tyler, Texas.
“I started CrossFitting every day (and) I saw some major results very quickly,” he says.
Since starting CrossFit, Smith has lost 150 lb.
“I used to be this huge guy that didn’t think he’d ever get here,” he says of his health and fitness. “The fact that I’m here is just amazing.”
Comments on Nathan Smith: Choose Life
You're a rockstar Nathan! Thank you for sharing and keep pushing forward!
These are the videos that brought us in! These are the vidoes that preach the true message of crossfit "health"!
Back when Crossfit was pure... Thank you Sevan Matossian.
That's an amazing and inspiring testimony of courage, perseverance, Nathan! Thank you for sharing it. Continue to be strong and keep up the great work!
Wow! That's an amazing story. You can be so much proud of yourself!!!
Well done Nathan! It must have been so hard at the start, but you stuck with it. Hats off to you.
Way cool Nathan!!🏆💪👏👍👍. WOW..what an inspiration!!!
Kudos to Nathan for taking on a challenge most of us have never had to face. And for being honest about starting with nutrition, and cutting out the "crap".
My grandma said sugar was bad because it gives you diabetes. My mother told her that was just an old tale. Grandma was right. I feel lucky that our family budget was so tight pop was only a treat on weekends, and we each got a half bottle.
Now I'm also lucky to have found Crossfit- I've gotten a lot stronger and agile, and am far more aware of what I eat.
I really love this video. It's great how he got power back over his life.
This is what Crossfit is. We all get better and stronger.
Why not make some HERO-WODs for people like Nathan?
He is really a hero.
Great job Nathan,
I am really pumped by the people who have the courage to come to Crossfit when very overweight or out of shape. I love watching the transformation in mind and body and spirit. It takes a lot of guts to walk into a crossfit gym for anyone but for people like Nathan it is fantastic. Crossfit is not just for the elite fire breathers. I love watching them too but at 75 I just love being in the community and doing my best. We have a guy in our gym who was 300 lb. and now he is a competitor. Down to 185 and knocking off ring muscle ups. I recommend Crossfit to all my patients no matter their age.
Strength and Honor
Drjohn
Nathan Smith: Choose Life
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