KAPLAN - The majority of Americans have struggled with their weight. Many cite the lack of motivati...

1. Former 380-pound Kaplan man loses 70 pounds by
exercising | VermilionToday.com
KAPLAN - The majority of Americans have struggled with their weight. Many cite the lack of
motivation to exercise as their number one obstacle to weight loss.
Nunez resident, Anthony Falgout, knows the conflict all too well. Over the past few years, Anthony
had watched his health deteriorate due to his weight. After his weight maxed out at 380 pounds, he
began the arduous task of switching to a healthy life style and has since shed over 70 pounds and
now weighs 310.
Anthony Falgout, Boy Scout Master of Kaplan Troop 81, husband of Kristy, and father of Cameron
and Kelsey, spends most of his time away at work. His offshore job made it difficult to stick to a
workout regime, and was conducive to unhealthy eating habits.
In late 2008, Falgout was offered a job by Chevron, but was denied the position when he failed the
Fitness Capacity Exercise test.
Anthony explains, ?My heart rate had gotten too high while performing the exercise, and I was
referred to my personal doctor for a stress test and exam. I passed the stress test, but the truth was
all the fast food and long hours of working as a project supervisor had taken a toll on my body and I
had to start taking medication for hypertension.
?I had improved my health a little by getting active, started kayaking and biking, and had dropped a
few pounds. It did not take long for me to fall back into the same rut of eating unhealthy. Fast
forward to the year 2013 when I reached my all-time high weight of 380 pounds.?
Since that wakeup call, Falgout realized that he needed to revolutionize his eating and exercise
habits. However, it wasn?t as simple as the epiphany made it seem.
?Some of my biggest obstacles were not being motivated to do exercise,? Anthony comments, ?I had
equipment at home. We have places to walk around our house and be active. I learned that those
exercise machines at home were nothing more than expensive coat racks if you?re not motivated.?
Armed with that knowledge, Anthony decided to join a health club.
?By going to the gym, you allow yourself the time and you are more likely to get a quality work out.
After going to the gym on and off and not getting serious about it, I chose to work with a trainer. We
met, we made some appointments, and we did a few weeks. But then one day, I showed up and the
trainer never did. I called him and he informed me he had quit. This was a turning point in my
journey, making me realize that I needed to do this for myself and not rely on anyone. Around this
time, a friend turned me on to a book entitled ?Do Life.? I must say this book has been my motivation
and inspiration.?
Now that he had found motivation, Anthony?s journey became ingrained, but he still faced obstacles.
?I have hit a few other plateaus along the way where my diet was the issue. We have a great health
and wellness program at work that helped me with some great pointers. I was also having problems
where my body was just not keeping up. Mentally, I was ready and able to exercise, but after an
hour of exercise, I would crash for the day.
I started researching supplements and consulted with our health and wellness program and started
a supplement regiment to align with my goals and health.?
For the past six months, Falgout?s exercise regimen has consisted of 30 minutes of cardio and 30
minutes of muscle targeting lifting, six days a week.
Recently, he switched up his routine during his days off to incorporate two days with a trainer
targeting core and different forms of cardio, as well as three days of target strength training.
?Among other lifestyle changes, I have changed my eating habits and portion sizes. The one favorite
change to my diet, here lately, has been the introduction to quinoa. I substitute it for rice and pasta
and really have learned how to enjoy great southern Louisiana meals, in moderation of course.?

2. All the hard work has paid off. Anthony has dropped over 70 pounds. He remarks, ?I am reluctant to
say I lost over 70 pounds due to the fact that I know just where I left it...along the sidewalks, on the
treadmill, elliptical and miles and miles of roadways.?
?In March of 2013 I chose to run my first 5K. I did it in just under 1 hour, and realized just how out
of shape I really was even thought I was exercising regularly. I made up my mind I would train and
try to improve my time. I dropped over 10 minutes off of my time when I ran my next one in October.
?I then tried to get my family involved by signing us all up for a color run in New Orleans. The one
thing I really want to improve is the overall health of my family. I want to show my kids that being
physically active is important.
?My wife?s first question after my second 5K was, ?Did you win?? To this my reply was, ?Yes I won; I
beat myself!?
?She did not understand this reply, but this is what I want my family and everyone to understand. As
long as you beat yourself you have improved! Yes, I am highly competitive, but my physical condition
limited my ability to place. With that being said, my goal is to place in a 5-K (3-mile) race.?
Although Anthony has come a long way, his ultimate goal is still a ways off. His immediate goals are
to weigh less than 300 and to drop five minutes off of his current 5-K time. Long term goals include
decreasing his weight to below 230 and running a 10-K.
The gym is now Falgout?s biggest hobby. In addition, he enjoys mountain biking, kayaking, hiking,
and running. ?Some may say that fitness is addictive like a drug; well I can tell you I hated to run all
my life, even at my best physical condition playing high school football. I have to admit I have now
found an unknown love for running.?
http://www.kaplantoday.com/local/former-380-pound-kaplan-man-loses-70-pounds-exercising