Life
Overweight Teen Loses 115 Lbs By Walking To School
It all started when someone made a joke about his chin. That's when the 335-pound teen decided enough was enough.
Morgan Slimak
07.10.19

17-year-old Michael Watson really knows how to walk. In fact, one day he started walking and didn’t stop until he lost more than 115 pounds!

It is a weight loss story that defies all odds and one that we can all gain inspiration from, simply because of how straightforward it is.

The teen made a few small adjustments to his lifestyle, and really, that’s all it took. The pounds just started dropping off.

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Growing up, Watson was always on the heavier side, and sadly, he was often bullied by classmates because of his weight.

Two years ago, he reached his peak size at 6’4″ and 335 pounds, and mentally, he was in a pretty bad place.

“My self-confidence was zero,” Watson told CNN.

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Watson also elaborated about his weight in an interview with FOX:

“One day I looked in the mirror and I was like, phew, yeah, you’ve gone pretty far,” said Watson.

While many people think for a guy, being big represents being tough powerful, Watson felt the total opposite.

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The breaking point for him is when someone made a joke about his chin.

Another kid told him he had something on his chin, but when he touched it, the kid told him “No, third one down,” Watson said. It was a low point for him, and after that, Watson decided enough was enough. He was sick and tired of being picked on. It inspired him to make a small change in his lifestyle that turned out to have a bigger impact than anyone ever could have imagined.

Watson started walking to school every day.

While he had spent most of his childhood taking the bus, Watson figured walking was a simple way he could start getting some additional exercise in his life.

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It turned out to be one of the best decisions he ever made.

Every day, Watson made the journey to and from school at a normal, comfortable pace — 20 minutes each way. Although the short walk back and forth was no marathon, the pounds surprisingly began dropping off right away.

The real secret was Watson’s consistency. He was 100% dedicated. Snow, rain, or shine, it didn’t matter, Watson religiously strapped his shoes on every morning and every afternoon and completed his 20-minute walk.

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The thought of cheating on his commitment didn’t even cross his mind.

He removed the bus schedule from his memory. Watson started walking to school when he was junior and didn’t quit until his senior graduation over a year later.

“I didn’t even know when the bus came,” Watson said.

If someone asked if he wanted a ride to school, he denied them.

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The weight loss from the walking also inspired the teen to change up his diet as well and it turned out to be the perfect combination.

In that time period, he lost over 115 pounds. When he walked across the stage at graduation this year, he looked like a completely new man and his whole family was there cheering him on.

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It is so amazing what you can accomplish just by adding a few new lifestyle habits to your daily routine.

When asked if he had any tips for other people who are just beginning their weight loss journey, Watson had this to say:

“You need to want to do it yourself, and each day is a new day,” said Watson.

His simple but powerful advice reminds us that we need to complete our goals for ourselves and for no one else. And to remember that no matter how tough things get, each day is a new day.

By keeping these two things in mind, there is nothing stopping you from accomplishing whatever you set your mind to.

Watch the full video detailing Michael Watson’s 115-pound weight loss journey below.

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