In New York, Joseph Marro, a dedicated music teacher, shares his remarkable weight loss journey, detailing the motivation and strategies that led him to shed 128 pounds in under two years. His story is not just about weight loss; it's about transforming his health, boosting his self-esteem, and inspiring others to pursue their own wellness goals.
The Turning Point
In 2017, Marro, a passionate music lover, embarked on his weight loss journey, starting at 295 pounds. Like many, he had tried various methods before, but his weight fluctuated. Tortilla chips were his weakness. "But, honestly, I didn’t know what I was doing. I thought I was doing all the right things, but I wasn’t and never reached the fitness level or weight I wanted," said Marro, who lives in Patchogue. The turning point came three years later when his doctor delivered a stark warning about his deteriorating health. At 32 years old, Joseph weighed just under 300 pounds. When his doctor told him he was at risk for prediabetes and had the metabolism of a 60-year-old, Joseph realized a lot of his problems stemmed from an unhealthy lifestyle. His vitamin levels were also out of whack, and he had trouble with his thyroid. "I felt unhealthy. I was always out of breath and didn’t want to be on oxygen within the next five to 10 years. If I’m dead at age 45 because of my weight, I won’t be inspiring my students through music," Marro said.
Marro gave the back story. He admitted that he was at risk of prediabetes at some point in his life while battling thyroid issues. Despite being in his thirties, he found out that he had the metabolism of a 60-year-old, and he feared he was not going to live long. This realization, coupled with the desire to continue inspiring his students, fueled his determination to make a change.
The Journey Begins
Shortly after, he was with friends one night who all voiced their support and encouragement about his losing weight. He headed to the gym the next day. Marro decided to dedicate 2020 to becoming his healthiest self. Before 2020, Marro lost about 55 pounds and began 2020 at 245 pounds.
Marro took to his Instagram account to share his weight loss journey and the ups and downs he faced. He expressed that although the journey was tough, he was happy about the results.
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Finding the Right Path
Due to the various programs he was in, his weight fluctuated till he found the right plan. A few things happened: He found group cardio classes he enjoyed and got interested in cooking. The weight started coming off. He tried HIIT - high intensity interval training - and it worked. "I loved it. I loved the challenge, I looked forward to them," says Marro. He made the personal commitment to go to the gym four to five times a week "no matter what." He was given workout routines and meal plans, based on foods he liked, from a personal trainer and a nutritionist. "That’s what got me to where I am today. I enjoy doing exercises I like and cooking and eating foods I like." During COVID, he turned to You Tube videos, bought weights and worked out at home. He has lost 128 pounds.
He sought encouragement from his friends, who assured him that he could lose weight if he set his mind to it. That’s when he took a hard look at what he was eating and realized he grabbed convenience and restaurant foods far more than he should. He transformed that habit by learning to cook at home, while he also joined a gym, where he saw how much fun group fitness classes can be. “I was really having a good time,” Joseph said. Within a year, he’d lost about 55 pounds. He then decided to turn his workouts up a notch to overcome the dreaded “plateau,” and at the beginning of 2020, he was determined to get into the best shape of his life.
Marro's Diet and Exercise Regimen
Marro's success wasn't just about exercise; it was also about transforming his eating habits. Joseph has become a pro at deciphering nutrition labels and creating his own workout routines and meal plans. He looks forward to his daily exercise now and makes sure he enjoys the healthy foods he eats. “Once I understood the process and the method behind it all, I just took charge of it,” he said.
HIS DIET
Marro includes a combination of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in his overall daily food consumption. Examples of breakfast foods are avocado, eggs/egg whites, whole wheat English muffin, yogurt, oatmeal or vegetables such as mushrooms, broccoli, spinach. Lunch is usually a lean protein and assorted vegetables with black beans, brown rice or sweet potatoes. Dinner can be fish or a lean protein and vegetables.
HIS EXERCISE
Five to six times a week Marro walks 10,000 steps or spends 15 to 20 minutes on an exercise bike or treadmill as well as using weights for strength training.
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Inspiring Others
"I share my story in hopes to help inspire people improve the areas of their life that they feel that they need to." Marro concluded by saying that if there was a will, there would always be a way, and no matter what the dream and goals are, especially with weight loss, they are achievable with the right amount of dedication.
Family and friends started reaching out for help. "I didn’t have all the answers, so I got answers and became a certified personal trainer ….Now I wake up every day knowing I’m the healthiest person I can be. It’s the most rewarding part. Not being at risk for health issues means more to me than anything." More than anything else, he stopped looking at himself as a number on the scale. These days, he shares weight loss and exercise tips on Instagram, where he has developed a loyal following. As a teacher, Joseph especially loves to help others learn, so he got certified in nutrition, personal training, and group fitness training.
“My story has inspired so many people to make changes in their lives,” Marro said.
Joseph Marro's Advice
HIS ADVICE
"First of all, you can do it. Everyone starts somewhere. Don’t compare yourself to others. Weight loss journeys have ups and downs. Work through slip-ups, learn from them. Though the Patchogue music teacher had been overweight his entire life, he remained confident that he didn’t have to stay that way. “I had a very rewarding career as a music teacher, and I wanted to continue to inspire students and I wanted to make sure I have the best chance of living the longest life that I could,” said Marro, who received strong support from friends and family, as well as his students. In December 2019, he was ill for several days and felt that if he were healthier he would be able to bounce back quicker. He promised himself to work out five days a week and follow a meal plan, which he says was “the key” to his success.
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