The Spartan Race is coming to Las Vegas in 2013 and
TourDeFIT.com is your source for all the details. As we all know, everything is
more thrilling in Vegas and this Super Spartan should certainly live up to the
hype. Stacy Sanderson is the Spartan Manager of this Spartan Race but he’s also been on
his own inspiring personal journey for the last year, managing to lose over
110 pounds. TourDeFIT.com was lucky enough to sit down with Stacy and learn all
about his amazing story plus details on the upcoming Spartan Race. Read more to
find out how Stacy decided it was time to change, how he overhauled his diet
and his biggest key to weight loss success. And check back with TourDeFIT.com for great discounts to this and other Spartan Race events! 

Stacy on how his
journey began:

“Back in March 2011 I was 425 pounds. I wasn’t happy with
myself and I became a very miserable person. I wasn’t happy at all being as big
as I was. I woke up one day and I couldn’t even tie my own shoes and I just
told myself then that I couldn’t do this anymore. I knew it was time to change.
I started walking around the local park and I stopped drinking soda which was
huge in terms of weight loss. I started losing weight very quickly and then I
plateaued a bit. When I reached 380 pounds I joined a gym and started working
out with a trainer for about 6 months. He helped me so much and taught me a lot
and I’m now at 305 pounds. I’ve also done a couple 5K’s plus two Spartan Races.
I did the Spartan Sprint with is 3.5 miles and a Super Spartan which is 9
miles. I still have far to go but I’m determined to get there.”

Stacy on the hardest
part of his weight-loss journey:

“The hardest part for me was actually just starting and
making myself go down this path. I needed to make appointments with myself and
constantly say that I was going to do this. When I first started there were
definitely a few days where I woke up and I just didn’t want to do it anymore.
However, my family is a wonderful support system and they really pushed and
motivated me in the beginning and I was able to get started and not look back.”

Stacy on breaking the
process up into manageable goals:

“I never set goals that are unattainable. Instead I focused
on short-term realistic goals. For example I would aim to lose 10 pounds in a
month but then I would lose 12 pounds. Or I would only lose 8 pounds one month.
It all worked out in the end. Short-term goals are definitely better in the
beginning because they make you feel like you are accomplishing something. I
also set goals to run each race faster than the time before. When I ran my
first 5K it took me over an hour but I ran one last week and it only took me 42
minutes. I’ve been able to stick with my goals this way. I do have a long term
goal which is to be down to 250 pounds but I set smaller goals to eventually
reach that point. “

Stacy on how he’s
changed his diet:

The biggest weight-loss I experienced was when I stopped
drinking soda. I also cut out fast food entirely and started eating healthier
options. I ate more chicken and fish plus lots of vegetables. These are simple
foods that anybody can make. I also practice portion control which is key to
losing weight. If I go to a buffet with my family I will only have 2 plates now
instead of 4 and I fill that plate with healthier choices. When I have cravings
I have found ways to satisfy them and this is completely about moderation.
Instead of eating a whole candy bar I can just eat a fun size one, or one scoop
of ice cream instead of a whole bowl. This works to satisfy the craving without
overdoing it.

Stacy on how shedding
the weight has changed his outlook:

“I know now that anything is possible. I can try and do
anything and I can no longer use my weight as an excuse. I’m also a much
happier person. I want to go out and have fun with my friends. I can go to bars
and dance or out to nice restaurants. When I was heavy I didn’t feel
comfortable doing anything because I was so big. It was hard enough to walk
from Point A to Point B let alone dancing. My energy level has quadrupled since
losing the weight. My joints or bones no longer hurt from just walking and
doing simple things.”

Stacy on the upcoming
Spartan Race in Vegas:

“We are excited to announce we will be having a Las Vegas
Super Spartan Race on April 6^th and 7^th of 2013. It’s
going to be an exciting race featuring 9 miles of obstacles. You are going to
get muddy and dirty and you’re going to have a great time. This is something
you definitely shouldn’t miss.”