### Man Sheds 40lbs by Embracing Unique Mindset Shift Inspired by Remote Living
Adib Kadir, once plagued by body image insecurities and mounting health concerns, has undergone a dramatic transformation after adopting a highly unconventional approach to weight loss. By imagining himself living in the wild, far removed from modern amenities, Adib succeeded in shedding 40 pounds and drastically improving his overall wellbeing. Today, his journey has inspired many seeking a healthier lifestyle.
Now boasting a chiselled physique and revived self-confidence, Adib credits his remarkable results to a structured, three-pronged method: recalibrating his mentality, restructuring his diet, and prioritising muscle growth. Through strategic fasting and meticulous data tracking, he believes others can follow in his footsteps and achieve similarly remarkable changes.
Originally raised by Ethiopian immigrant parents with minimal understanding of nutritional science, Adib’s early relationship with food was shaped by economic limitations. “My mother still doesn’t really know the difference between protein, carbs or fats,” he reflects. Meals often comprised whatever was available or affordable, including free or reduced-price school lunches, supplemented by sugary snacks and drinks. Such habits, he recalls, led him to develop an aversion to physical activities and contributed to childhood obesity.
By the time Adib reached adulthood, his weight had crept up to 12 stone (170 pounds), placing him at a concerning 37% body fat. Concerned about his health—particularly the looming risk of diabetes—and frustrated by a lacklustre dating life, he resolved to make a lasting change. Despite brief success working with a personal trainer, Adib found that the underlying issues persisted, and the weight invariably returned the moment he paused his strict regime.
Acknowledging that surface-level fixes were insufficient, Adib dedicated himself to learning about nutrition and exercise science. He cleared his social media feeds of distractions, filling them with educational fitness content instead. He employed data-driven tactics, such as regular body fat scans and tracking his weight every day, to maintain focus on his goals.
Adib’s most distinctive strategy, however, involved invoking the mindset of someone living in a remote or resource-scarce place—“like the jungles of Africa,” as he describes it. By imposing short cycles of fasting, followed by substantial protein-focused meals, he attempted to mimic the food availability and physical demands such a lifestyle would entail. He theorised that his body fat existed as reserved energy for leaner times, and by limiting easy access to food, he could encourage his body to use these stores more effectively.
Through a disciplined blend of fasting and weightlifting, Adib witnessed a profound shift in his body composition. As his weight dropped to 130 pounds and body fat to 12%, he required a whole new wardrobe. “It was exciting but expensive – nothing fit any more, not even my boxers,” he jokes, highlighting both the benefits and practical challenges of extreme weight loss.
Adib now feels more comfortable in his skin and says positive changes extend beyond appearance. “There’s a definite shift in how people treat me,” he observes, noting enhanced confidence when socialising, new romantic opportunities, and even a rapid increase in his social media following. “Perhaps it’s just the aura you gain from being in shape, but people do react differently.”
Yet, not all feedback has been uniformly encouraging. Drawing on his Ethiopian heritage, Adib explains that family members, in line with cultural perceptions equating fatness with prosperity, sometimes worry he is now “too thin” and question his health. “It’s a mindset deeply ingrained in our culture,” he shares, broadening the conversation about how body image ideals differ across societies.
Today, Adib shares his journey with a growing online audience, determined to help others reclaim their health. He advises that those embarking on similar journeys should harness their early motivation with ambitious goals, whether through intense dieting or frequent gym visits, but warns to be mindful of side effects such as loose skin, which require pre-emptive care.
Adib’s story is a compelling reminder of the importance of mindset in the pursuit of physical transformation, as well as the far-reaching effects such a journey can have on all aspects of one’s life. Through openness and candour, he continues to support others navigating the path towards better health and self-acceptance.