Bayar Bayarsaikhan, 31, had been chubby for many of his life, at his heaviest weighing 500 kilos. He didn’t train and was hooked on sugar, usually consuming 200 grams of sugar every day. His spouse had inspired him to start out strolling, however his vitality and motivation weren’t there — he describes himself as merely “dwelling daily” with out short- or long-term targets.
It was Bayarsaikhan’s fatigue that lastly prompted him to see a physician in January 2021, saying he was taking two hour naps each afternoon and “usually felt so drained [he’d] have to take a seat right down to do the dishes or inform [his] children [he] was too exhausted to play with them.”
His recollection of that life-changing appointment and his inspiring story of what got here subsequent was just lately featured on the TODAY present:
“I used to be identified with extreme hypertension, excessive ldl cholesterol, and sort 2 diabetes. After which he instructed me I used to be solely anticipated to reside till my 40s,” Bayarsaikhan mentioned.
Bayarsaikhan was additionally identified with extreme sleep apnea. “I discovered that in a traditional, wholesome individual, sleep apneas can happen possibly about one to a few occurrences in a single hour, however I used to be having 135 occurrences in a single hour. So just about it could appear to be I used to be sleep, however my physique was by no means asleep.”
After the appointment, he began utilizing a steady optimistic airway strain (CPAP) machine and was on 5 to 6 drugs.
“I’ve two children. I used to be nonetheless younger. I used to be 29 on the time. And my physician instructed me my life expectancy was like mid-40s,” he mentioned. “I assumed, I don’t need to die in my 40s. I need to see my children develop up. I need grandkids.”
That was the second Bayarsaikhan determined he wanted to make a critical way of life change. “My physician requested me, ‘Can you actually do that? It’s a protracted journey.’ And I mentioned, ‘I’ve to do that.’”
Thus far, Bayarsaikhan has misplaced greater than 230 kilos — almost half of his physique weight. He’s switched up his weight-reduction plan, discovered easy methods to management his parts, and curbed his sugar cravings. At first of 2021, he joined Life Time and began strolling, working, and swimming, after which added in power coaching. He participates in Alpha signature group coaching and different lessons, and is coaching to participate within the Life Time Chicago Triathlon.
He says he’s “by no means felt higher” and that “it has modified [his] life.” He additionally appreciates the affect it’s having on his youngsters, ages 9 and 5. When he does workout routines similar to pushups, for instance, “they see me doing it, now they’re doing it on their very own.”
Bayarsaikhan explains that he’s now going by a transition the place he’s shrinking, however the quantity on the size is staying the identical, and so encourages others to not be demotivated by the size. “Belief the method, hold going, keep constant,” he advises. “Discover what motivates you — that’s the important thing to it.”
Watch the total interview:
