Andrew McLane weighed in at 455 pounds one year ago. The 27-year-old, 6' 1" Realtor now weighs 210 pounds. His chest went from 56 to 38 inches and his waist from 62 to 37 inches. McLane is sharing his story in hopes of inspiring other Realtors to achieve their weight-loss goals.
Andrew McLane is half the man he used to be. Literally. And it’s a good thing. The 27-year-old Realtor tipped the scales at 455 pounds a year ago, but has since dropped 245 pounds.
“Why? How? That’s what people want to know,” says McLane, an agent with Royal LePage Parkville-Qualicum Beach in Qualicum Beach B.C.
McLane’s wife, Dani, wanted him to go to boot camp with her, but after a trainer told him, “It will be you and 20 women,” he declined. “Being so heavy, I was self conscious. I decided on a personal trainer.”
He began working with Beth Alden of Kickstart Fitness twice a week for an hour each session. He upped it to three sessions a week, started working out on his own and then added some classes such as boxercise and step exercises to the mix.
He also changed how and what he ate. He eats five to six times a day to keep his metabolism going. His diet is high in protein, low in carbs and includes lots of fruits and vegetables.
The unpredictable schedule of an agent can make healthy eating a challenge. “Realtors are everywhere all the time. The big problem before was I was eating out 15 times a week. I was a classic Realtor – have coffee with someone in the morning, and have a donut too. Have lunch with someone else. Go to open houses. Open houses with food are still hard,” says McLane, who got his licence when he was 19 and at the time was the youngest Realtor in Canada.
At first he removed himself from temptation by avoiding open houses. Now he goes to open houses but makes healthy eating choices.
Another secret: “I don’t come to work without packing a lunch. On Sunday, I make all my food and freeze it. It only takes a couple of hours.”
He may buy a salad and add other vegetables to it, then eat salad for three days. Lunches might consist of chicken and a salad or turkey burger and a salad or quinoa. He says the turkey, bison or moose burgers kill his cravings for beef burgers.
McLane tried all of the fad diets, and nothing worked. “The reason it stuck this time is because I had a great support system through my trainer, colleagues and wife.”
He also says it’s important to plan to succeed. “I didn’t want to die with $1-million in the bank. If you don’t have your health you don’t have anything. Take one hour a day for yourself. Turn off your phone (and exercise).”
People who argue they are too busy are just making excuses. “My partner and I do 15 deals a month. People will wait for good service. It helped with my weight (loss) when I realized that.”
As for the excuse of not being able to afford it, he says, “Realtors make a good living. You can afford a gym membership and ($40 or $50 for) a personal trainer.”
In high school, McLane was an athlete, participating on provincial soccer, football and baseball teams. After high school, he “gained 20 pounds a year through poor diet and being a young Realtor having fun.”
Times have changed. Now instead of spending $100 on food, he spends it on his trainer. “Now I feel lazy if I don’t go to the gym. I will not go back to the way I was before. I’ve made a lifestyle change.”
One last tip: McLane says it’s important to celebrate your weight loss achievements. Little goals and achievements are important, he says. “Like in real estate,where you set little goals in business. Set little goals with weight loss and celebrate those achievements.” – Connie Adair
