Interview With Juan Urquiaga
Transformation of the Month - September 2010
Interviewed by: Angela Moreno
Surviving one heart attack is truly a blessing. Getting a second chance at life was just what our September ‘Transformation of the Month’ winner, Juan Urquiaga, needed to change his outlook on exercise and nutrition and get in the best shape of his life. Read on and find out what kicked off his amazing weight loss journey and how it actually helped him survive a second, yes a second, heart attack. Juan’s success story is a true testament to the power of exercise and proper nutrition. Not only has he lost an amazing 52 pounds, but he has also dropped his body fat percentage from 27% down to just 9%!
"Never in a million years would I have thought that people would be asking me for fitness and nutrition advice and be known as the 'fit guy'. That's just weird to me"
WP: Hi Juan! Congratulations on being selected as World Physique’s Transformation of the month! How does it feel to be considered for such a title?
JU: Thank you so much. It is truly an honor considering I'm a two-time heart attack survivor and just an everyday guy that has a new found passion for fitness and helping others.
WP: Your story is truly amazing. Not only have you lost an amazing 52 pounds, you’ve also dropped your body fat percentage from 27% down to just 9%! Can you tell our readers about your weight loss journey?
JU: Thank you for that. I really do hope to inspire as many people as possible and let people know that it’s never too late to make a difference in their lives and their fitness. I started my weight loss journey after having my first heart attack in April 2007. Shortly after I got home from the hospital, I was laying in bed watching TV when I came across an infomercial about this thing called P90X. Well, normally I would've just turned the channel but my doctor had told me I needed to start working out and change my eating habits and make healthier choices. When he told me this, I was dreading going to the gym. And healthy eating, what does that mean? I honestly had no clue. But, as I listened and watched the P90X infomercial, I noticed this was something completely different than any other exercise infomercial that I had ever watched before; they where not selling the next best piece of equipment that most people end up using as a coat rack, they where talking about good old fashioned working out and proper nutrition. Before the infomercial was over, I was on the phone ordering the P90X. I had to hurry before my wife got home and talked me out of it!
WP: What was the turning point which lead you to want to lose weight?
JU: My turning point came when I got home from the hospital and my oldest daughter would not stop crying because she thought she would never see me again. When you love your family, losing weight is not big deal.
WP: What made you choose the P90X to jumpstart your weight loss?
JU: The P90X infomercial talked about a comprehensive approach to healthy eating and exercise while taking all the guess work out of the equation. You put that together with the encouragement of Tony Horton, the creator of P90X, to bring it everyday and it was a no brainer for me. For me, P90X is the total package: nutrition, exercise, a great trainer, minimal equipment, a huge variety of workouts that incorporate muscle confusion, and a money back guarantee. How could I go wrong?
WP: It really does sound too good to be true, and it worked for you! How did it help you?
JU: I can tell you honestly that P90X has saved my life! And not once, but twice! I recently had open heart surgery and my doctor flat out told me that if I had not lost the weight that I did, I would not have survived. Getting in shape in my first 90 days of P90X had unknowingly helped me survive the surgery.
WP: That is truly amazing. That infomercial was a Godsend! How often are you currently doing the P90X routines? Can you give me an example routine?
JU: I still do the P90X as my main workout, but P90X and Tony Horton have taught me that P90X is just a tool that allows you to get in the best shape of your life so you can take on other challenges. For example, I'm now committed to helping others and on October 9th, 2010, I will be riding my bike 115 miles to help raise money to find a cure for cancer.
I mentioned earlier that P90X takes all the guess work out of working out. Well, you open the exercise book and it actually tells you what workout to do on what day. I have 2 favorite workouts: the Core Synergistics and Yoga X (the one I use to hate but now love). Core works the entire band around your body from the bottom of your pecs to your quads. If these areas are weak, you will be prone to injuries in your everyday routines. Yoga X is incredible; the first time I did it, I thought, “Okay, cool. I get a break from all the crazy exercises I had been doing all week.” Boy was I wrong! Twenty minutes into the workout, I was drenched in sweat and all I was doing was breathing and holding these crazy positions. I looked at the clock and I still had another 70 minutes left. I thought to myself, “Has anyone died doing this stuff?” Well, now I do Yoga X at least 3 times a week and 2 of those times it’s my second workout of the day. I can totally understand why Tony calls it the fountain of youth.
WP: You have come so far in your training! What are some of your favorite exercises?
JU: You know its crazy how things can turn from something you hate into something you love. When I first started P90X, I could only do 3 pull-ups and I was kicking and screaming to get my chin over the bar for that third one. But by staying consistent and following the meal plan, I can now do about 30 pull-ups with a 20 lb. weighted vest on! I have even incorporated some gymnastics rings, which are not part of the program, just to add a little more difficulty. I guess I'm nuts!
WP: Maybe you are, but it is certainly paying off! You also completely revamped your diet. How does your diet differ now from before you started your weight loss journey?
JU: Wow. My nutrition before was embarrassing. I was the king of pizza and cheeseburgers. Not only that, but I would only eat twice a day; I didn’t eat breakfast, had a nasty lunch and then would see how much I could eat before I went to bed. HORRIBLE! My nutrition plan now is completely different than it was. I currently try to follow some simple rules that help me stay on track: nothing fried, no fatty foods, nothing processed, and I just try to stick with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean organic meats, and most importantly no processed or artificial sugar.
WP: Those are fantastic yet simple rules that anyone can follow. Can you give me an example of your current daily nutrition regime?
JU: I try to eat five to six meals a day and sometimes have seven. My breakfast consists of 2 glasses of water, 6 to 8 egg whites, and a cup of oatmeal with some blueberries and/or chocolate Shakeology. Then, I have a mid-morning snack like almonds or a protein bar. For lunch, sometimes I will have a Veggie Delight sandwich from Subway with no cheese and no mayo on whole grain bread and ask if they can take some of the inside of the bread out. For dinner, I eat grilled fish, mostly salmon, and a vegetable. Sometimes, it varies depending on the workout I'm doing.
WP: You are so regimented with your diet now. What are some of your favorite healthy foods?
JU: I love sashimi, and my wife makes a great white chicken chilly made with all chicken breast, white beans, low sodium chicken broth, and cilantro.
WP: Ooh, that sounds good! What was the biggest challenge you faced while going through your transformation?
JU: A big challenge for me was going out in my garage every morning at 5:00am and just getting the workout done. But, by far the hardest part for me was after getting in great shape, feeling great and losing 38 lbs. in my first 90 days of doing P90X, I had another heart attack. I went through open heart surgery, lost all my muscle tone and had to start all over again from scratch. Thank God for P90X because I had all the tools I needed to start over, all I had to do was get the okay from my doctor.
WP: That must’ve been so frustrating after you came so far. But, your determination to do it all over again is extremely admirable. Did you ever hit a plateau in your training? How did you deal with it?
JU: No, I never hit a plateau because P90X is designed so you don't. Tony Horton has done an incredible job designing the program around muscle confusion so your body never gets used to the exercises you are doing. By changing it up every 30 days, you get better results in a short amount of time.
WP: The P90X really is the perfect workout series for you! What do you do to stay on track when your motivation is low?
JU: I simply think of where I could be if I hadn't taken charge of my health and my family and it just is not an option for me. I also could not have come as far as I have without the support of my awesome wife, Paula. She is my motivation!
WP: It is great that you have such an amazing support system in your family! How is your life different now compared to before your transformation?
JU: Never in a million years would I have thought that people would be asking me for fitness and nutrition advice and be known as the fit guy. That's just weird to me!
WP: What does your family think of your transformation? I hear your wife was a driving force for you to be nominated as our Transformation of the Month!
JU: My kids are now always touching my pecs and my abs and saying, “Oh my gosh, Daddy, they feel like rocks!” My family is just glad I'm still here. My wife is totally incredible; I asked her just one time if she would support me in this and she did not hesitate for a moment. Now, I have a hard time keeping up with her! She has an incredible story of her own; she weighed 210 lbs. with our first child and 185 lbs. with our second. Now she weighs 120 lbs! I'm extremely proud of her. She has always told me to submit my story so people can hopefully be inspired to get healthy, so I finally did and I won! I hope I can help others feel like winners, too.
WP: Both of your stories are so inspirational; we’re just happy to have you share your experiences with us! What has been your biggest personal accomplishment since your transformation?
JU: Educating my kids about healthy eating and helping them make good choices. Also, being an example to them of what exercise and nutrition can do in their lives.
WP: You are definitely setting a great example for your kids by showing them the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. What advice would you give to others looking to transform their lives?
JU: Don't wait! Get off the couch and get moving. Make healthy eating choices and make every day worthwhile because the days are counting down. And, make a difference in your life because you never know who you can inspire.
WP: Fantastic advice! So, what is your next goal you’d like to attain?
JU: I would like to do a triathlon with my cardiologist.
WP: Great goal! And with your determination, you will do it! What is your ultimate goal for your physique?
JU: I would like to be fit enough so people will ask me how I got in great shape at my age and want my help.
WP: I believe you are already there. What do you keep in your fridge right now?
JU: Almond milk, extra lean turkey, egg whites, a bottle of wine, and some veggies.
WP: What are your other hobbies outside of fitness?
JU: I love cars, especially American muscle cars. I have had a few mustangs and a GMC Syclone truck that put out about 410hp and 23 lbs. of boost from the turbo. I miss that truck.
WP: How do you like to relax and unwind?
JU: I love to be around my family; it brings me comfort and happiness.
WP: Is there anyone you would like to thank for your tremendous progress?
JU: Yes! God for giving me a second chance at life; I promise not to waste it. I thank my family for loving me and also my great friends.
WP: Is there anything that you would like to add before we wrap up this interview?
JU: I would like to tell all the people out there that may have had a major health issue that it’s never too late to take control of your life. Your life is not over until God says it is. Don't let your health get in the way of your fitness. Do something; be an inspiration to others and you will get amazing rewards.
WP: We are so happy to have you featured as our ‘Transformation of the Month’! Thank you for taking the time for this interview. Your story is so inspiring! We wish you the best of luck in your continued weight loss success and hope to see you on that competition stage in the near future! Keep inspiring, Juan!
