Obese dad, 44, reveals how an 'innocent' comment made by his three-year-old son spurred him to shed 160LBS in just one year
- Jason Henriques became so overweight that he suffered from health problems
- But in 2016, his then three-year-old son said he wanted a 'big tummy' like him
- Jason, now 44, turned his life around and shed 160 pounds in a year
A dad has revealed how an 'innocent' comment made by his three-year-old son purred him to shed 160 pounds in just one year.
Jason Henriques, 44, from Monroe, Connecticut, had become so overweight that he began suffering from a slew of health problems, including asthma that resulted in him being hospitalized, herniated discs, torn ligaments in his knees, and gallbladder issues.
But, in 2016, when young son Wyatt told him that he wanted to grow up one day to have a large stomach like him, he decided to turn his life around.
Jason started by walking three to 12 miles a day and eventually started going to the gym - and within one year, he lost over 150 pounds.
Now, he has opened up about how he did it - and the surprising statement from his son that changed everything while chatting with the Today show.
Jason Henriques, 44, from Monroe, Connecticut, explained that an 'innocent' comment made by his three-year-old son purred him to shed 160 pounds in just one year. Pictured: Before (left) and after (right)
He had become so overweight that he began suffering from a slew of health problems, including asthma, herniated discs, and gallbladder issues
But, in 2016, when young son Wyatt told him that he wanted to grow up one day to have a large stomach like him, he decided to turn his life around (pictured together recently)
'We were sitting on the dining room floor playing and he said, "Daddy, when I get big like you, I want a big tummy like you,"' recalled the father-of-three.
'I got up the next day, put Wyatt in a stroller, and started walking. From that day on, for months, we walked three to 12 miles a day.
'My mindset was, "I have to do this. I have to be a better parent. I have to be a better role model." I completely changed my mindset and went all-in.'
Jason said walking became his 'number one priority,' and he soon expanded to jogging and cycling.
But as the winter approached and the weather got colder, he decided it was time to take the next step.
He joined a gym and signed up for a free personal training trial, and the coach had him try a rowing machine - which resulted in him 'falling in love with the whole world of fitness' even further.
'It was new, it was challenging,' he recalled of using the rowing machine for the first time.
'Rowing is the perfect counterpart to running because you can build your endurance on the rower without the impact.'
He started by walking three to 12 miles a day and eventually started going to the gym - and within one year, he lost over 150 pounds. Pictured: Jason before (left) and after (right) his weight loss
'My mindset was, "I have to do this. I have to be a better parent. I have to be a better role model." I completely changed my mindset and went all-in,' he told Today recently
He signed up for a free personal training trial, and the coach had him try a rowing machine - which resulted in him 'falling in love with the whole world of fitness' even further
Jason also completely changed his diet, cutting out all junk food and starting a food diary where he tracked the macronutrients he was consuming
Jason also completely changed his diet - cutting out all junk food and starting a food diary where he tracked the macronutrients he was consuming.
He and wife Maggie became dedicated to growing as much of their own food as possible, building a chicken coop and clearing out a quarter-acre of land to start a garden.
Even their three kids, Wyatt, now 11, Presley, eight, and Hudson, three, are all passionate about health and exercise now too - and their eldest two even participated in a triathlon last year.
'It's exciting to be into fitness as a family, and it strengthens our bond, too,' he shared.
Since making the changes, Jason said his health improved immensely, with his asthma 'mostly clearing up.' He's seen before (left) and after (right) the weight loss
Jason now works as a personal trainer himself at Row House, and he's always open about his past with his clients
Looking back, he's said that he's grateful that his son made the comment about his stomach, adding, 'That moment is what changed not just my health and fitness, but the whole trajectory of my life.' He's seen before his weight loss
Since making the changes, Jason said his health improved immensely, with his asthma 'mostly clearing up' and his joint pain pretty much 'gone.'
Jason now works as a personal trainer himself at Row House, and he's always open about his past with his clients.
'I [have] the potential to help other people who might be going through something I've been through. What's better than that?' he gushed of his job.
Looking back, he's said that he's grateful that his son made the comment about his stomach.
'That moment is what changed not just my health and fitness, but the whole trajectory of my life,' he concluded.
'And my three kids look at me in a whole different light. Now I’m doing this parenting thing right.
'It was a little bit scary, but it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I feel better at 44 than I did when I was 24.'
