A Fitness Transformation Story from Scott Kaas from the Boyson Rd location in Cedar Rapids, IA

Scott titled this story “I liked the FAT jokes!”

Scott's 10 Week Fitness Transformation Results

I grew up in a small town in western Minnesota and was very physically active with football, baseball and softball.  In addition to those activities, I spent most of my time enjoying the outdoor lifestyle that Minnesota has to offer.  Rather than attend college after high school, I decided to join the U.S. Navy.  I enlisted and committed to 6 years of active duty and remained very physically active during my years of service.

After leaving the Navy and relocating to Iowa, my level of physical activity dropped dramatically.  I no longer had someone telling me I had to work out 3 times a week; I was my own boss and for the first time in 6 years and I was glad to not be taking orders. Over the next 10 years, I put on 100 pounds, I could no longer touch my toes or even see them, and I questioned my sanity when (or if) I went for a run.  I would ask myself, “Why and the heck did I run all those miles before? It’s so much easier to sit on the couch!”  I gave up baseball and softball because of shoulder problems, and I gave up running because of knee issues. I found sitting on the couch watching television to be more entertaining than getting out and doing anything more active than hunting, fishing or playing golf.  Little did I know that something was going on inside my body that would change my life forever.

In 2007, on the 10-year anniversary of my departure from the military, I found out that I had Type II adult diabetes and hypothyroidism. I was feeling terrible more often than not, and I had little energy. My wife and friends urged me to see my doctor, and she made it clear what I had been doing to my body.  I thought I was healthy, and that eating or drinking whatever and whenever I wanted was a good thing.  Sitting in her office and listening to her message was very humbling. I’d become the fat guy with no more excuses, and it was time to hold myself accountable for the lifestyle I was living.

Being a person who likes challenges (I could eat 6 Whoppers and have room for ice cream later, after all), I took it upon myself to make a change.  I started exercising and eating better, and taking medication for my disease. I experienced another eye-opener at the gym, where I broke the axle of an elliptical machine; I’d call that my crowning “achievement” as a fat guy.  I was able to drop about 30 pounds over the next 6 months. I’d always enjoyed lifting weights and tried running, but my knees didn’t like that idea.  I dropped my weight down to around 270. I felt like I had more energy, but still didn’t have the motivation to keep it going.  I slowly slipped back into my old ways and bought stock daily in McDonald’s. Over the next 3 years my weight continued to fluctuate.  At one point I was able to get down under 250 pounds (the weight I listed on my driver’s license) for the first time in years, but it didn’t last because I’d go on vacation or find another excuse to sit on the couch rather than do something that was good for me.

During that time, a few friends of mine started Farrell’s. I saw how it changed their physical appearance and their attitude, but I didn’t think it was for me.  A friend from work, Tina, had been working out at the C Street gym and had wonderful results. Tina was diagnosed with breast cancer and even while she was fighting the disease, she continued to participate in her workouts when she had enough strength.  I could see how much Farrell’s meant to her and how it gave her confidence to keep moving forward.  Tina is a wonderful lady and she inspired me to give Farrell’s some consideration. While Tina was fighting through her after-surgery treatment, I continued to visit my doctor and have my blood checked every month. It was during a Fall 2011 visit when she told me it was time for additional medication to keep me healthy. I could feel that my body was “off,” but just thought it would pass when I got back in the gym. I asked her if she’d be willing to hold off on the medication if I tried Farrell’s, and she agreed to the idea.  Now that I had a plan, I had to follow through.  My good friend Steve Ries, who had won the $1,000 10 Week Challenge during the Winter 2011 session, gave me a deal I couldn’t refuse. I signed up and gave Steve and his brother Gene permission to motivate me to stay committed in any way possible.

I signed up for the 5:30 PM class at the Boyson Road gym, and I’ll admit I was nervous to get started.  I hadn’t done anything organized to get fit since I left the Navy in ’97, and didn’t think I needed it.  When we did our first test I looked around the room and saw a lot of people I could relate to.  I found who I thought to be the most fit guy in the room, Kyle Dotson, and ask him if we could hold each other’s feet for situps. It turned out that Kyle was signed up to be in my class and was already in great shape, but seeing him sweat from doing the same workout as me pushed me even more.  He doesn’t know this, but I owe a lot to him for what I was able to accomplish in class.  I tried to keep up with him and felt sick on several occasions.  My coach, Kaelyn Vaneous, and my assistant coach Lisa Griffin, also kept me motivated (as if they needed help with the Ries brothers constantly hounding me). The staff and instructors were also great.

As my 10 week test got closer, I grew more and more concerned about my progress.  I felt great but didn’t know if I could reach my goals.  The week before my test, I found out that I had met the most important goal I had set for myself:  I got my blood checked, and my doctor told me that my numbers were the best they had been in 5 years! She explained that if I kept going in the direction I was going, there was no more medication in my future. I cried from excitement when she told me. I’d done something I could be proud of, no matter what my other test results were. But I wasn’t finished.

I was not able to attend the final test session because I have a love for kids, especially kids in need.  Each year I volunteer to help raise money for children with cancer at Aiming for a Cure.  It just so happens that both events take place at the same time. I worked with my head coach Pete and I was allowed to test on the Thursday night before.  I was extremely happy with my results!  I dropped 30 pounds, lost 15 inches, increased both my situps and pushups by 25, and took 2 minutes and 26 seconds off my mile time.  I didn’t win the $1,000 prize, but I was okay with that; I challenge the winner, Todd, to a challenge on the bag! Come to the 5:30 class sometime!

Now that I’m a FIT member, I have committed to see where Farrell’s can take over the next year. I now love working out and feeling good.  The nutrition plan is a huge part of why this program works, and I love eating 6 times a day! My girlfriend is now signed up for the 10 Week Challenge, even though she’s smoking hot and doesn’t need it.  My coach has asked me to help her brother with his transformation, and this gives me even more a reason to come in and work hard every day!

Thanks FXB for showing me the way and helping me transform my life!

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