So I gained weight on purpose (45 pounds).

Why?

Two reasons. I wanted to see how I performed on the tennis court with the extra weight.

You can watch that performance here:

https://www.intuitivetennis.com/premium-released-youtube-videos/videos/old-out-of-shape-d1-vs-young-in-shape-d2-premium-version-1

And more importantly, I wanted to put my diet to the test and see how quickly I could lose the weight. I gave myself two months for the weight loss challenge and recorded myself every step of the way.

Many of you don't know that I have a passion for nutrition. I have been studying it for the past ten years. At one point, I even considered becoming an RD (registered dietitian). In this video, I focus my weight loss mostly on diet. This way of eating turns out to be the best diet for tennis players, which helped my performance on the court.

You can watch my tennis performance after my weight loss here:

https://www.intuitivetennis.com/premium-released-youtube-videos/videos/d1-player-vs-d2-player-nicks-body-transformation

One great thing about doing this challenge is that I started playing tennis again. Before that first match, when I was 235 pounds, I had not played a set in over a year. After some lingering injuries and my dad passing away, I lost the desire to play. However, this weight loss challenge had a weird effect on me. It sparked something inside of me that was lost.

That first match I played left me perplexed. Before the match, I was unsure if I even knew how to play tennis anymore. But to my surprise, everything was still there. I started the match with two aces and thought: "Wow, I still know how to do this." Honestly, my level in that first match was about 20% of my capabilities, but I was so happy afterward because I expected nothing.

0%

I thought that I could not move at all, but miraculously I could. Well enough to comfortably beat a 24-year-old guy who is in great shape. So I kept going and kept playing points, and guess what

I started improving.

There were a couple of sessions in the last two months where I played well. Well enough to give my younger self a challenge.

Yes, I have pain and can't walk after playing for a day or two, but the situation with my broken body is improving. I know my limitations on the tennis court and have to change my style to an ultra-aggressive one so that I don't have to run. And that in itself is an exciting challenge.

There will be more matchplay coming your way in 2022.

Mentioned in Video:

Forks Over Knives Movie: https://www.forksoverknives.com/
Olive Tap Balsamic Vinegar: https://www.theolivetap.com/balsamic-vinegars/
Plant Strong: https://plantstrongfoods.com/

Dr. Mcdougall Books:
Starch Solution: https://www.amazon.com/Starch-Solution-Regain-Health-Weight/dp/1623360277

Maximum Weight Loss: https://www.amazon.com/McDougall-Program-Maximum-Weight-Loss/dp/0452273803/ref=sr_1_2?crid=26CSL7PM50XXX&keywords=dr+mcdougall+maximum+weight+loss&qid=1652448297&s=books&sprefix=dr+mcdougall+maximum+weight+loss%2Cstripbooks%2C121&sr=1-2

Dr. McDougall YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/drmcdougallmd

Dr. Esselstyn Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: https://www.amazon.com/Prevent-Reverse-Heart-Disease-Nutrition-Based/dp/1583333002/ref=sr_1_1?crid=123SMLC3BOY52&keywords=prevent+and+reverse+heart+disease+by+caldwell+esselstyn&qid=1652448375&s=books&sprefix=prevent+and+reverse+heart+di%2Cstripbooks%2C125&sr=1-1

Rip Esselstyn YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Engine2PlantStrong

Jeff Novick (Calorie Density, How to Read Nutrition Labels, CRAP) https://jeffnovick.com/RD/Home.html