At his heaviest, Zach Vloger weighed 463 pounds. After his father had a serious health scare, he found the motivation to take charge of his health and transform his life.
An outgoing kind of guy, Vloger was never too concerned about his weight. It was something he’d learn to live with since childhood and it never got in the way of his confidence.
“My weight definitely held me back in other aspects of my life though,” said Vloger. “It was hard for me to tie my shoes, walk up stairs, or fit into the seating at school, in movie theaters and in airplanes.”
A family health scare leads to taking action
When Vloger was 19 years old, his father suffered a major heart attack and the experience terrified him. Fortunately, his father survived but had to undergo an open heart quadruple bypass surgery. This prompted Vloger to pay a visit to the doctor’s office and get a health check up.
“When I went in for my appointment I was diagnosed with hypertension and put on blood pressure medication,” he said.
And in that moment, a new awareness set in.
“I realized that if I didn't change my life and start losing weight that I would most likely die from it.”
Like Vloger, his father was also overweight.
Making it a life and death situation
Frightened by seeing first hand how serious the problem was for his father, he decided that he wasn’t going to resign and succumb to the same fate.
“I made it a life or death situation,” said Vloger. “I knew that my current lifestyle of eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted it was killing me.”
By shifting his mindset, being painfully honest with himself and making his struggle about survival, he was now ready overhaul his life.
“I had so much denial built up about why I was so obese and why I couldn’t lose weight,” he remembers. "In reality, I just didn’t want to change bad enough."
“When I was honest with myself about what I should be eating and what I should be doing activity wise, everything started to fall into place.”
Committed to himself, he began exercising regularly, keeping track of his food intake and eating healthier foods.
His biggest takeaway
Today, Vloger has lost 240 pounds and has reinvented himself as a personal trainer, to help others in their journeys to success.
In retrospect, Vloger has learned the importance of self-discipline, self-compassion and patience.
“Don't give up,” he says. “Losing massive amounts of weight takes time and more importantly consistency."
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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.