When it comes to your health and well-being, it is never too late to make lasting changes that alter the course of your future. In a recent Instagram post, Leonardo Machado gave credence to that fact after sharing how his life turned around by losing weight and getting in shape.
Leonardo Machado had grappled with the challenge of being overweight since childhood. At just 11 years old, he tipped the scales at over 200 pounds. Into adulthood, Machado only increased his size until eventually, he weighed 440 pounds. It was at this point that doctors gave him the harrowing news that he wouldn’t live past 30 in his current condition.
“January 8th I’ll be 31 years old, an age I never thought I’d turn. After hearing from a doctor that if I kept on I wouldn’t make it to 30.” Leonardo Machado not only wanted to continue living but also wanted to pursue a social life, that up until that point, hadn’t existed due to his size and self-esteem issues. So, Machado removed greasy fast food from his diet and began weight lifting to shed weight and put on muscle.
Machado went on to make an incredible full-body transformation which led to him stepping onto the competitive stage as a bodybuilder. It was only then that Leonardo Machado had the confidence to finally speak to women. Machado doubted himself and was fearful of being turned down according to what he shared with local media.
“I was really embarrassed, but I looked at myself in the mirror and said: I am not that guy anymore, there’s no reason to be afraid and I’m not afraid. I’m someone else” Machado said.
Leonardo Machado was scared by his past experiences with women and had never had sexual relations until after he lost weight. He even feared going out for groceries because of how he looked.
“I even felt ashamed to go to the market, because they looked at me in the street with pity and disgust.” “I didn’t take care of myself. I wore any kind of clothes, even torn ones, and I literally had no self-esteem.” Now, that’s a thing of the past as Leonardo Machado has finally overcome his fears with women and went on to compete as a professional bodybuilder. His story is a true inspiration to others out there who feel it is too late to come back. If he can do it, so can you.
Leonardo Machado isn’t the first person to take their health into their own hands. Previously, Dave Danna set out on a weight-loss journey that ended up inspiring millions of people. After losing 121 pounds, Danna caught the attention of bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger and CEO of Gym Positivity Joey Swoll, who both shared their praise for his incredible transformation.
Leonardo Machado is proof that nothing is permanent and with a little hard work anything is possible. Achieving a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle starts with a well-balanced diet and exercise. Even small changes can lead to big outcomes.
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This news was written by Belinda Evans, a news reporter covering everything in bodybuilding and general fitness. Belinda is passionate about the sport of bodybuilding and loves covering industry news for readers, and she is always happy to answer any questions they may have. If you have any questions about this news, please feel free to contact Belinda Evans by leaving a comment below.
Published: 5 March, 2024 | 10:15 PM EDT
