)
But, after breaking up with his best friend-sugar-he pulled off a staggering 156-pound weight loss transformation in nine short months, and found himself in a much healthier mental state, too.
"My life before it all happened had been very difficult, Pammet told Men's Health. I was roughly always around the 253-pound mark, so I was always a bigger guy. I just never looked at it that way-as thats who I always was, and who my friends and family always knew me to be.
For Pammet, his downward spiral began with that fateful knee injury in his early 20s. He proceeded to use it as an excuse to get out of just about everything in his life.
I would sit around and wait for something good to happen to me rather than getting out there and doing something to change the situation, he said.
)
)
)
This period of waiting for something better to come along lasted for more than two years. In that time, Pammet said he developed serious anxiety and depression where I basically closed myself off away from the world, and food and sugar became my two best friends.
One day, Pammet woke up and simply had enough. He was tired of being alone, without friends, and missing out on a life that was quickly passing him by. The one thing he had to overcome was the fear of his family and friends judging his new larger body.
View this post on Instagram From 140kg to 93kg , 24 weeks , I am still rehabbing a serious knee injury but Im motivated and consistent , Ive been in a real bad place in the last 2 years but this has changed me as a person , if I can do it , you can to ! If you ever need help or a chat message me ! I know how it feels and what it takes ! #fitness#transformation#24weeks#weightloss#motivation A post shared by Ben Pamment (@ben_pamment_) on Oct 26, 2018 at 2:18pm PDT
I would avoid family events and going out because they hadnt seen what I had become through my years of body abuse through bad habits and eating, he said.
But this fear ended up being the catalyst to push himself to become the absolute best version of himself. The first step for Pammet was reevaluating his eating habits and changing them for the better.
It was incredibly hard, and I fell off the wagon a few times, but if you want something enough you will get there, he said. For him, the biggest challenge was avoiding sugar altogether. (Think its easy to cut sugar out of your daily routine? .)
Next, he joined a gym. Though he was plagued with an injury and overweight, as an athlete, Pammet knew what to do and set small goals for himself that kept his fitness progressing. He did so through mixing a short interval cardio routine with a weight circuit five days a week.
Just three weeks into his new lifestyle, Pammets mother sent him a photo. In those 21 days, Pammet lost about 22 pounds. And it showed.
The change was dramatic, Pammet explained. I posted it onto social media, as I was very proud. I was overwhelmed with support and comments and from there onward I felt like I had to keep going not only for myself but others as Id become a role model and I didnt want to show everyone I was a quitter.
View this post on Instagram 7 weeks ago I was unhappy and the heaviest Ive ever been . Sitting around feeling sorry for myself about my injuries and operations . Today Im half way towards my goal weight but I feel a hell of a lot better and eating and exercising every day cant wait to see where I can be at the end of the year #weightloss #optimumnutrition #happy #lifestyle#fitness#slowlybutsurely A post shared by Ben Pamment (@ben_pamment_) on Jul 9, 2018 at 4:20am PDT
Another benefit of his weight loss was his knee pain slowly subsiding. As he continued to lose weight, the pressure slowly released, and his muscles continued to get stronger.
I just had to take it day by day and do things that didnt put stress on my joint but still giving my body the workout that it needed, he said. There were mentally challenging times, too, and times I would go home in tears or wanted to give up. But I always remembered that the bigger picture was the ultimate goal and the feeling I would get when I achieved it.
View this post on Instagram Its been a long time since Ive been able to get back into a kick around since my operations , but with everything going well in the gym and the weight dropping off my body Ive been back doing what I really enjoy good times ahead #rehab#football A post shared by Ben Pamment (@ben_pamment_) on May 27, 2018 at 10:48pm PDT
And achieve it, he did. In nine short months, Pammet dropped to 162 pounds, marking a 156-pound weight loss.
"To reach the weight that I have is still crazy to me, as it hasnt even been a year of my life, he said. It feels like Ive been doing it for years but at the same time, its flown past so fast.
View this post on Instagram 9 months - 36weeks.. of hard work and determination and I am where I am today ! I love sharing my journey with all of my friends and followers ! Also anyone who is wanting to start and see the possibilities that can come from what you put into your workouts and goals ! Whether it be the gym or just getting out there and walking! You do really get out what you put in Thanks for all the support ! #fitness#transformation #health#weightlosstransformation #weightlossjourney (142kg-75kg) A post shared by Ben Pamment (@ben_pamment_) on Jan 24, 2019 at 6:14pm PST
Now, Pammet said his whole mental state has completely changed. Hes now able to share a side of himself he never knew existed with those around him. My mindset and thought pattern has changed dramatically everything about the mental side has changed, and Im very positive, where 11 months ago you wouldnt even whisper the word positive and associate it with me, he said.
As for advice hed give others? You only get out what you put in," Pammet said.
If you want something bad enough you will get it, he added. Start slow, and set yourself very small goals that you know you can achieve. When you do achieve them, you will feel amazing and continue to set more and more goals. Always keep them realistic and in sight.