Barefoot, Deandre Upshaw stands 6-foot-7.
At his heaviest, he weighed 410 pounds. But his weight never stood in the way of his confidence.
“Most of the time, I thought I was the hottest thing to ever come out of Houston, Texas,” he remembers. “I loved myself.”
Even with his high self-esteem, he admits not always liking what he saw looking back at him in the mirror.
“I didn’t always like the way my weight flavored my interactions with other people, but my confidence level was always on ten.”
Not to mention, he simply loved fashion too much to resign to wearing Big and Tall clothes for the rest of his life.
Learning By Trial And Error
Having been overweight growing up, Upshaw challenged himself to lose weight several times in the past, completing exercise programs and experimenting with restrictive diets.
“The problem with all of these diets and plans is that they had expiration dates,” said Upshaw. “They were all extreme.”
While he was successful and proud of losing weight by completing P90X twice and a 21-day cleanse, he’d always compensate afterwards by eating all the foods he’d deprived himself of during the programs.
He quickly realized this was not sustainable in the long run and that he had to be more realistic about achieving long term success. So, before taking any steps further on his weight-loss journey, Upshaw had to set parameters that would enable him to not only achieve his goal but also continue to maintain a healthier lifestyle.
For him, this meant becoming more mindful of the way he ate, no more quick fixes or gimmicks, and because he doesn’t like to exercise, his new approach to weight loss had to be more food-focused.
Finding What Worked For Him
Sure enough, he discovered the principles of Calories In, Calories out which essentially means that weight is lost when energy consumption is less than what we put out.
He wasn’t crazy about the idea of counting calories but knew that if he continued waiting, he’d never start. And so, on October 27th, 2015, he went all in.
“Whenever I got discouraged (which was often), I’d chant a mantra to myself: No matter what, this time next year, I will be a different person,” recalled Upshaw.
The Key To Success
Through his 365 day weight loss process, he’s lost a total of 145 pounds, has learned a lot about himself, and the value of discipline.
"I learned what lengths I would go to in order to achieve a goal,” he said. “I learned that I really REALLY love onions. I learned that the journey is just as important as the destination.”
One of the most valuable lessons he’s learned looking back is the difference between discipline and motivation:
“Motivation is easy to tap into when things are going well,” said Upashaw. “It’s easy to feel motivated when the scale is moving. But discipline, that’s where the magic is.”
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.