Marysville freshman Andrew Howard prepares to pin an opponent during the recent MHS junior varsity tournament. It was the first time Howard has been able to wrestle as he had always had trouble making weight in order to compete in matches. (Photo submitted)
There are a lot of people who, for one reason or another, struggle with keeping off the pounds.
No matter how hard they try, they just can’t seem to shake those extra numbers that can compromise their health.
Perhaps those in that situation should take a lesson from Marysville High School freshman Andrew Howard.
A couple of years ago, Howard was a seventh-grade member of the Bunsold Middle School wrestling program.
The problem was, he couldn’t compete in any matches because, quite frankly, he was overweight.
It was a frustrating situation that kept him from being on the team the following year as an eighth-grader.
“I couldn’t make weight during my seventh-grade year and didn’t have the resources available to help me,” said Howard. ”When it came time for the eighth-grade, I figured ‘what’s the use?’”
Howard’s weight rose to 366 pounds last July between the conclusion of middle school and the start of high school.
That’s when he decided to do something about the situation.
With the help of a sports medicine doctor at Ohio University, he decided he was going to work hard to get his weight under control.
“It was all about carbs and calories,” he said. “I started eating more whole grains, chicken and fish and drink protein milk shakes.
“I also learned how to lessen the amount of food I ate,” he said. “For me, it was staying away from the carbs.”
The weight began to gradually come off as Howard set small goals along the way.
The pounds melted away to the point where this past weekend, he was able to compete in his first-ever wrestling tournament.
“I weighed in at 281 pounds for the heavyweight division,” he proudly said.
Howard pinned his first two opponents during the recent Marysville JV tournament and went on to place sixth.
While Howard is happy with his weight loss to date, he acknowledged it wasn’t an easy task.
“It was hard, but once I was a few weeks up until a month in, it became easier,” he said. “I just had to play the mental game with myself in order to lose the weight.”
A total of 80-plus pounds lost during a seven-month time period might sound to some like too much in just a short span.
Howard, however, said his doctor isn’t concerned about that.
“I’ve been averaging between two and three pounds a week,” he said. “Nobody is really worried about that.”
Howard said he really started to notice a change earlier this winter.
“I looked at myself in the mirror and said ‘something’s different,’” he smiled. “I especially noticed it in my face…. I didn’t have those chubby cheeks anymore.”
Howard hopes to continue on his weight loss trek as he works out in the weight room with the Monarch football team.
He was a nose guard for the MHS frosh gridders last fall and saw his playing time increase toward the end of the season.
“I’m really excited about football next year,” he said. “I think losing weight is really going to help me.”
Not only have the scale numbers fallen, so have Howard’s clothes sizes.
“As far as a T-shirt, I’ve gone from 3XL to 2XL,” he said. “With pants, I’m down to XL from 2XL.
“I feel great, both physical and mentally,” said Howard. “I’ve got more energy. I also feel stronger and faster.”
While Howard’s weight loss has been impressive, he says he’s not finished.
“I want to lose as much as a I can,’ said the 6-1 freshman. “If I could get down to 250, that would be amazing.”
Howard was asked if he had any advice for those struggling with their own weight management.
“You just have to find a plan that works for you and keep pushing it,” he said.