Lost 140 Pounds Together by Making a Few Simple Changes
Siblings test us to our limits — but sometimes it can be a good thing. Kevin and Lindsey Minnick are proof.
Like many people do, this brother and sister duo struggled with their weight. At 18, Kevin was in a motorcycle accident that contributed to his 110 pound weight gain. His older sister Lindsey fell victim to the infamous "Freshman 15," and her weight kept climbing from there.
Their weight was a constant concern — and it was starting to affect their happiness. A trip to Vegas was Lindsey's final straw. "I remember being at the pool and being so super self-conscious; I was the biggest girl (there)," she told TODAY. "I am only 5'3" and I am over 200 pounds. This is not healthy."
But Lindsey didn't know where to start. Kevin's girlfriend introduced Lindsey to Weight Watchers, and in just two months, Lindsey dropped 20 pounds. Kevin was also benefiting from this weight loss program because he was eating the same meals as his girlfriend, Megan, who was a member.
Eventually Kevin's fast food habits caught up with him, and at 315 pounds he decided to commit to Weight Watchers full-time. He switched up his eating habits by incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and lean protein into his diet.
Fitness came next: Lindsey got hooked on spin class and dragged her brother along. Together, they've experimented with running, strength training, Pilates, and barre classes — and their competitive spirit was always present. "There is something to be said for the competition that someone doing it with you brings to the journey," Lindsey told Popsugar. "If I wanted to not work out and I saw Megan and Kevin working out, I was definitely hitting the gym even when I didn't want to."
In just one year, they have seen a drastic decrease to their waistlines and a major boost in confidence. Kevin lost 89 pounds and Lindsey lost 53 pounds. Even Kevin's girlfriend and Lindsey's husband lost 36 pounds and 40 pounds, respectively.
To stay motivated, Lindsey and Kevin have found little ways to remind themselves how far they've come. For Lindsey, it was a pair of old shorts that no longer fit. For Kevin, it was a belt that he'd purchased shortly before he started losing weight. As he continues to shed pounds, Kevin punches holes through the belt — proof that his hard work is paying off.
Through it all, Kevin and Lindsey learned an important lesson: You always need someone to lean on. "I don't even think that you can express how important it is to have a support system that understands what you are going through when you are feeling rough," Lindsey told TODAY. In addition to their workouts, the siblings hold "meetings" to brainstorm different recipes and workouts to help them meet their weight loss goals.
This weight loss journey has also pushed them to switch up their definition of fun. Before they started focusing on their health, their typical weekend plans together involved an episode of Jeopardy and a case of beer. "We are just more active and more outgoing and more wanting to do stuff rather than sitting down and being bumps on a log," Lindsey said.
_________________________________________________________
Use this weight loss calculator to find out how long it will take to lose 140 pounds.
3500 calories equals one pound. To lose a pound, you need to burn 3500 more calories than you take in.
For example, if you burn 500 more calories/day than you take in per day, you will lose 1 pound per week. This is usually accomplished through exercise and diet.
How long does it take to lose 140 pounds?
Burn this many extra calories/day to lose 140 lbs in a certain # of weeks
71 weeks
985 calories
72 weeks
972 calories
73 weeks
958 calories
74 weeks
945 calories
75 weeks
933 calories
76 weeks
921 calories
77 weeks
909 calories
78 weeks
897 calories
79 weeks
886 calories
80 weeks
875 calories
81 weeks
864 calories
82 weeks
853 calories
83 weeks
843 calories
84 weeks
833 calories
85 weeks
823 calories
86 weeks
813 calories
87 weeks
804 calories
89 weeks
786 calories
90 weeks
777 calories
91 weeks
769 calories
92 weeks
760 calories
93 weeks
752 calories
94 weeks
744 calories
95 weeks
736 calories
96 weeks
729 calories
97 weeks
721 calories
98 weeks
714 calories
99 weeks
707 calories
100 weeks
700 calories
101 weeks
693 calories
102 weeks
686 calories
103 weeks
679 calories
104 weeks
673 calories
105 weeks
666 calories
107 weeks
654 calories
108 weeks
648 calories
109 weeks
642 calories
110 weeks
636 calories
111 weeks
630 calories
112 weeks
625 calories
113 weeks
619 calories
114 weeks
614 calories
115 weeks
608 calories
116 weeks
603 calories
117 weeks
598 calories
118 weeks
593 calories
119 weeks
588 calories
120 weeks
583 calories
121 weeks
578 calories
122 weeks
573 calories
123 weeks
569 calories
125 weeks
560 calories
126 weeks
555 calories
127 weeks
551 calories
128 weeks
546 calories
129 weeks
542 calories
130 weeks
538 calories
131 weeks
534 calories
132 weeks
530 calories
133 weeks
526 calories
134 weeks
522 calories
135 weeks
518 calories
136 weeks
514 calories
137 weeks
510 calories
138 weeks
507 calories
139 weeks
503 calories
140 weeks
500 calories
Other popular time frames:
2 years
670 calories per day