FAMILY
FIRST
Police Officer, husband, father, First In Family: Trevor Bertram
I think the most important change is mental. I no longer think of food as a comfort object or no longer snack just to pass time. I still eat your typical "comfort" food, but it's no longer as a reward for going to the gym or being "good" on my diet. I finally view food as what it is, my body's fuel. I still enjoy fun foods and treats with my daughters and family, but I now know how to eat like an adult to balance this out.”
Tell us a little bit about yourself...
What brought you to the First In Family initially?
I was drawn to the family atmosphere, everyone is eager to help and share their own struggles for people to learn from.
Tell us a little bit about your background and history with food.
My biggest struggles and contributing factors was shift work. I started early in EMS, just six months out of high school. Fast food for breakfast and lunch, then a big home cooked meal at the station every 24 hour shift. When I transitioned into Law Enforcement I started as a Corrections Officer, fast food on my way into work, snack machines at work, and fast food after my shift.
For years I never made a plan when it came to food, eating on the go, whatever and however much sounded good at the time.
What was the turning point in your life when you realized you needed to make a change?
Following the academy I was weighing around 240, but working in a tourist town proved to be a struggle. All that good vacation food every day and within 2 years I was back up to almost 280. I couldn’t effectively do my job, I couldn’t be a good father.
What was the journey like and what changes did you make?
You’ve probably heard the saying, “You can’t out train a bad diet”. Before making the jump into working with First In, I eyeballed my food and loosely tracked it in My Fitness Pal. This of course worked, but it wasn’t a long term fix. I slowly started weighing all my food, first maybe just a meal a day to get comfortable with it, then slowly it became every meal.
How do you feel after making those changes?
But, I think the most important change is mental. I no longer think of food as a comfort object or no longer snack just to pass time. I still eat your typical “comfort” food, but it’s no longer as a reward for going to the gym or being “good” on my diet. I finally view food as what it is, my body’s fuel. I still enjoy fun foods and treats with my daughters and family, but I now know how to eat like an adult to balance this out.
What did your friends/family think of your transformation?
Of course you will have the person that doesn’t see the work you put in day in and day out to make this work, and you’ll get the occasional joke about being obsessed or crazy from them. I try to take it as an opportunity to explain why I’m doing it or just joke it off with them.
Were you active or did you workout during your journey?
What does being First In mean to you?
What was the biggest challenge or change when you started with First In and how did you overcome it?
What’s next for you and where do you see this journey taking you in the future?
As far as the next goal, I’m feeling good with where I am body weight and composition wise, so for the time being maintaining.
And maybe perfecting my protein pancake game.
What are your top 5 "secrets" for success?
2- Don’t compare your progress pictures early on, I went almost a year without looking back at any of mine.
3- Have go-to meals that you can make or grab on the go to keep you on track without a lot of thought when you’re busy.
4- Buy an air fryer, everything is better air fried.
5- Coffee and bouillon cubes in hot water (“meat tea”) are your friends when you start a deficit.
any advice for someone thinking about getting started?
Your body and health will thank you in the long run.
It’s hard and takes time at first, but with a little hard work and patience it will become an important part of your day and before you know it, you’ll be looking and feeling better.
Testimonials were given freely and service members did not receive any preferential treatment, discount, or other benefit due to the nature of their service, rank, or position and in no way are the views or beliefs of any branch of the armed forces or uniformed services.