Charles Walter

Through two transformation challenges, he’s lost 36 pounds and can finally see his abs.

Written By Jim Stoppani, PhD

Updated July 19, 2024

New Year’s resolutions don’t work, except when they do.

In 2024, Charles Walter’s made his work by joining the New Year’s Challenge on JimStoppani.com .

“The previous year had been tough due to financial struggles and the new responsibility of fatherhood, which had a negative impact on my mental and physical well-being,” he says. “I gained a significant amount of body fat and lost my self-esteem. I realized I needed to make a change to be the husband and father my family deserved. I also wanted to be a role model for my son.

“Joining the New Year's Challenge turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.”

Charles was hoping to win the grand prize, as $10,000 cash would have been a huge relief for his family at the time. He wasn’t quite able to do it, but his results—losing 26 pounds in only six weeks, going from 233 down to 207 pounds—got him a well-deserved honorable mention.

More than the weight loss and recognition, Charles gained mental fortitude that paid immediate dividends.

Another Challenge, More Amazing Results

For Charles, the New Year’s Challenge was a springboard, not an end game. A couple months later, he channeled his momentum into the next JimStoppani.com transformation contest: the 8-week Summer Shred Challenge , featuring the Xtreme Shredded 8 workout plan.

Once again, he dropped weight, getting down to 197 pounds after starting the challenge at 215—putting his weight loss for the year at 36 pounds between the two challenges.

“I felt stronger than ever,” Charles says, “and my transformation received overwhelmingly positive feedback from friends, family, and co-workers. For the first time in my life, I could see my abs! It's an amazing feeling to have people inspired by my transformation and decide to make healthier choices for themselves.”

Workouts alone don’t get these results. Nutrition was a big piece of the puzzle for Charles.

“I had tried various diets in the past without success, but Jim's Dieting 101 guidelines and Super Shredded 8 Diet taught me how to calculate my macros and adjust my diet to achieve my goals instead of just focusing on calories,” he says. “For once, I didn’t feel like I was starving every day! I diligently followed the meal plans and used JYM supplements , finding them incredibly effective. I used Pro JYM , Pre JYM X , Post JYM , Omega JYM , and ZMA JYM . I honestly think Jim’s supplements are the best on the market.”

Success Through Strong Mind and Strong Support

Charles credits his results to lifestyle and dietary changes. But it wouldn’t have been possible without the mental component.

“I shifted my mindset to be more positive and determined to get in the best shape of my life,” he says. “I had a powerful ‘why’ that kept me going, and quitting was no longer an option. Now was the time to create the physique I wanted, and nothing was going to stop me from losing this excess fat. I encountered some obstacles along the way, such as fighting a stomach virus and plantar fasciitis, working long 10-16-hour shifts, and forcing myself to go to the gym even when I felt too tired and unmotivated. But that’s life, and sometimes you have to roll with the punches, dig deep, and keep moving forward.”

Nobody makes a transformation alone. Charles spent as much time interacting with like-minded people on the JYM Army Facebook page as he did in the gym. Community support has played a huge role in his fitness journey.

“I'm forever grateful to Jim Stoppani and the JYM Army for changing my life for the better,” Charles says. “I look forward to completing all future challenges and continuing my fitness journey to become a healthier and fitter version of myself every day.”

Get results like Charles

Related Articles

Foundations