Teen Sheds 200 Pounds; See Secret Weight Loss Trick Here
This is one weight-loss success story for the books. 18-year-old Edgar Hernandez has dropped 200 pounds after learning he was pre-diabetic at the age of 16.
Hernandez admits to having been bullied in school, especially in gym class and was seeing a therapist for depression symptoms at that time, writes CNN.
"I tried my best to ignore it. But there were times when I just gave in and started crying," said Edgar who now resides in a St. Louis suburb.
Topping the scale at 370-pounds, he comes from a family that has struggled with weight. His mother broke down in tears upon hearing of the diagnosis and it was that very day that the gravity of the situation hit Edgar. "It was time to stop blaming others for my choices and make a choice to take responsibility," he recalled.
His exercise regimen started slow but with the help of his brother Mario, he was able to keep it up. Now, the teen stands at 5 feet and 9 inches and weighs 185 pounds.
He enjoys running and has just completed his first half-marathon last month. As for the future, the teen plans to take up exercise science at the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in the fall.
There has also been a significant change in the family after Edgar's meaningful weight loss. His brother has also dropped 70 pounds and the family has changed their eating habits - focusing on eating healthy.
"As a family, we go outside more, walk a little more. It shows because we have a lot more energy," Mario said proudly. "Even though other members haven't lost as much weight, maybe five pounds, you can see it in their faces."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the last three decades alone, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents. Statistics in 2010 revealed that more than 33% of all children and adolescents are either overweight or obese.
