Siblings test us to our limits — but sometimes it can be a good thing. Kevin and Lindsey Minnick are proof.
Like many people do, this brother and sister duo struggled with their weight. At 18, Kevin was in a motorcycle accident that contributed to his 110 pound weight gain. His older sister Lindsey fell victim to the infamous “Freshman 15,” and her weight kept climbing from there.
Their weight was a constant concern — and it was starting to affect their happiness. A trip to Vegas was Lindsey’s final straw. “I remember being at the pool and being so super self-conscious; I was the biggest girl (there),” she told TODAY. “I am only 5’3″ and I am over 200 pounds. This is not healthy.”
But Lindsey didn’t know where to start. Kevin’s girlfriend introduced Lindsey to Weight Watchers, and in just two months, Lindsey dropped 20 pounds. Kevin was also benefiting from this weight loss program because he was eating the same meals as his girlfriend, Megan, who was a member.
Eventually Kevin’s fast food habits caught up with him, and at 315 pounds he decided to commit to Weight Watchers full-time. He switched up his eating habits by incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and lean protein into his diet.
Fitness came next: Lindsey got hooked on spin class and dragged her brother along. Together, they’ve experimented with running, strength training, Pilates, and barre classes — and their competitive spirit was always present. “There is something to be said for the competition that someone doing it with you brings to the journey,” Lindsey told Popsugar. “If I wanted to not work out and I saw Megan and Kevin working out, I was definitely hitting the gym even when I didn’t want to.”
In just one year, they have seen a drastic decrease to their waistlines and a major boost in confidence. Kevin lost 89 pounds and Lindsey lost 53 pounds. Even Kevin’s girlfriend and Lindsey’s husband lost 36 pounds and 40 pounds, respectively.
To stay motivated, Lindsey and Kevin have found little ways to remind themselves how far they’ve come. For Lindsey, it was a pair of old shorts that no longer fit. For Kevin, it was a belt that he’d purchased shortly before he started losing weight. As he continues to shed pounds, Kevin punches holes through the belt — proof that his hard work is paying off.
Through it all, Kevin and Lindsey learned an important lesson: You always need someone to lean on. “I don’t even think that you can express how important it is to have a support system that understands what you are going through when you are feeling rough,” Lindsey told TODAY. In addition to their workouts, the siblings hold “meetings” to brainstorm different recipes and workouts to help them meet their weight loss goals.
This weight loss journey has also pushed them to switch up their definition of fun. Before they started focusing on their health, their typical weekend plans together involved an episode of Jeopardy and a case of beer. “We are just more active and more outgoing and more wanting to do stuff rather than sitting down and being bumps on a log,” Lindsey said.
