How Chandler Broke The All Or Nothing Cycle And Lost 25 Pounds

Chandler had lost weight before. Four or five times over the years. Each time it came back within a few months. One bad day at work turned into a bad week off track. Then the scale crept back up.

The All-Or-Nothing Cycle Chandler Couldn't Break

Chandler works in political and addiction policy. He was moving from Illinois to Indianapolis for a new job. He wanted to leave his old habits behind before he got there.

For years his pattern looked the same. He would cut out foods completely and push hard for a few weeks. Then one slip turned into a full week of full indulgence. He went through that cycle four or five times. Each round ran three months to a year before it slipped back. None of it stuck for long.

The Middle Gear Mentality

Inside the Call To Rise program, Chandler and Coach Brian worked on what Brian calls the middle gear mentality. Chandler learned to make small corrections in the moment instead of going all in or all out.

A co-worker brought cookies to the office one day. Instead of refusing one and then eating a whole box later, Chandler had one and adjusted the rest of his day. He'd get a few extra steps in. He'd watch dinner a little closer.

The Results Went Beyond The Scale

The results in 100 days: 25 pounds down. But Chandler points to more than the number on the scale. He noticed his energy first. Walks that used to wear him out after 15 minutes stopped bothering him.

At an EDM festival, Chandler had more energy than his friends. They looked fit on paper. But they weren't the ones getting their steps in every day. Chandler also started training for a marathon, running and cycling on top of his lifting.

Life Did Not Slow Down For The Program

His spring was not easy. Illinois had its most tornadoes on record that year. Chandler went almost a full week without power. Family members had health issues that meant constant travel back and forth.

Through all of it, Chandler leaned on one new skill: cooking. He had rarely cooked for himself before. During the program he learned to cook simple meals with his dad. Chicken and rice. Eggs. Food he could make again without overthinking it.

Why Cooking For Yourself Changes Everything

Chandler says healthy people control their own food most of the time. Hand your meals to someone else and you don't know what's in them. Even a meal that looks healthy can hide 300 extra calories on the plate.

That skill traveled with him. When Chandler moved to Indianapolis near the end of his 100 days, he did not have to start over. He already knew how to feed himself. He knew how to walk off a rough day. Most important, he knew how to catch a bad week before it became a bad month.

Why Trusting A Coach Was The Hardest Part

For Chandler, admitting he needed help was harder than any food rule or workout. Trusting that the help he found was real took work too. He messaged three other coaches before Brian. Some focused only on bodybuilding. They tried to charge him double when he brought up nutrition.

What made the difference was a coach who was upfront from the start. Brian built the plan around how Chandler wanted to check in. A few messages a week. A call every other week. No rigid daily system that would not fit his real life.

His Advice If You're Where He Was

His advice for a guy sitting where he sat six months ago: stop waiting to feel fully ready. Most people do not walk in doing everything right on day one. The habits and the feelings that go with them build with practice and time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you break the all or nothing dieting cycle?

Chandler broke his by making small corrections instead of restarting from zero. A co-worker brought cookies to the office one day. He had one and adjusted the rest of his day instead of eating the whole box and quitting for the week.

Can you lose weight during a stressful move or a hard season of life?

Chandler lost 25 pounds in 100 days while Illinois had its worst tornado season on record. He went almost a week without power and moved across state lines for a new job. The habits he built carried him through all of it.

How long does it take to lose 25 pounds?

Chandler lost 25 pounds in 100 days inside the Call To Rise program. He paired strength training with simple repeatable meals and real accountability.

What should a beginner cook if they never cook for themselves?

Chandler started with chicken and rice and eggs. He learned these simple meals with his dad and could make them again without overthinking every choice.

What is the middle gear mentality?

Middle gear mentality means making a small correction in the moment instead of going all in or all out. Chandler used it to get through birthdays, travel, and slip days without turning one bad meal into a lost week.

Why does cooking your own food matter for weight loss?

Chandler says healthy people control their own food most of the time. A meal someone else makes for you can hide 300 extra calories on the plate, even when it looks healthy.

What should you look for in a health coach?

Chandler messaged three other coaches before Brian. Some focused only on bodybuilding and tried to charge him double to add nutrition help. He picked a coach who built the plan around his real life instead of a rigid system.

What does the Call To Rise program include?

The Call To Rise is a five-pillar system. It builds your identity and exercise. It also builds your nutrition and mindset. You do the work inside a brotherhood of men doing the same thing.

Take Your Body Back

If Chandler's story sounds like you, check out the Call To Rise.

The Call To Rise is a five-pillar system for men ready to take their body back. It covers your identity and your exercise. It covers your nutrition and your mindset. You do the work inside a brotherhood of men who push you forward.

If you're stuck in the all or nothing approach, always starting over on Monday, this program is built for you. Learn more and apply at calltorise.com.

Listen to Episode 129 of Driven For Health for the full conversation.

Read the companion article on the Brian Parana Health Blog: The Middle Gear Mentality: How To Break The All-Or-Nothing Diet Cycle.