Many of us have had issues with healthy eating and fitness before, but one local man turned his life around in a big way, and now he's hoping to make a positive impact on others.
MONROE, Wis. — Many of us have had issues with healthy eating and fitness before, but one local man turned his life around in a big way, and now he’s hoping to make a positive impact on others.
You might not even recognize Cory Kundert at the gym these days. He’s working to put images from summer of 2020 behind him. At 29-years-old, he was pushing 400 pounds.
“I was working in Madison before COVID hit, and I was stopping at gas stations and fast food restaurants on the way up and on the way back and still eating full dinners,” Cory said. “Just wasn’t a healthy lifestyle.”
Cory says he was consuming between 7,000-8,000 calories a day. That included three bottles of soda.
“I was feeling miserable after I ate, and I just needed to make a change,” Cory added. “I knew I wanted to get healthy for my family.”
The new father was also having a hard time keeping up to his one-year-old daughter at the time and had plans to have another child with his wife, Dana.
“She was starting to get more active and running around outside,” explained Cory. “I really wanted to be there for her.”
One year later, Cory has already lost more than 100 pounds. Cory says he started slow, focusing on his goals with a nutritionist. He also downloaded the MyFitnessPal app to track his daily intake. He’s down to eating just 2,500 calories a day along with reaching 100 grams of protein.
He lost about ten pounds a month in the first eight months, and after about two months of focusing on his diet, he was able to start working out on a regular basis at the Green County Family YMCA.
“It took a long time for my legs and my lungs to work up to where I needed them,” added Cory.
Cory says he’s now able to keep up with his kids. The couple welcomed their second daughter earlier this month. Cory tells News 3 Now that if he can work toward a new lifestyle, you can do anything if you put your mind to it.
“Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward,” Cory said. “Throughout this whole thing my mantra has been discipline, consistency and hard work. So create your own mantra. Figure out what you want to say to get you to where you need to be.”
Cory is set to run his first 5K after training on Saturday, just two days before he turns 30.
He also recently started a podcast called Wisco Legacy in inspiring folks to living a healthier lifestyle and finding happiness.
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Josh Spreiter is an anchor for News 3 Now This Morning. If you have a person or place you'd like to see featured on In the 608, send an e-mail to inthe608@wisctv.com.
Hometown: Litchfield, MN
High School: Litchfield High School
College: Southwest Minnesota State University
Other Journalism Experience: WOWT, KSNB, WEAU, WCCO, KLFD
Started at News 3 Now on: June 2018
What is your favorite part about living in Madison? I love its diversity. The people are so accepting. There is also so much to do and see!
What is the biggest news story that you’ve covered? When I worked in Omaha, my photographer and I chased severe storms in southwest Iowa. We were the first ones on scene of a home destroyed by a tornado as the family came out of their shelter. We captured it all on live television. We even beat emergency crews there.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I’m a certified yoga teacher so I love spending time on the mat. I also enjoy spending time exploring outdoors.
What is your favorite kind of ice cream? Butter Brickle is my everything!
What is your favorite place to vacation? I love cruising in the Caribbean.
Who is your hero and why? My Grandma Peg Shaw is my hero. She is the kindest and most humble person I know. She puts others first and never complains about anything.
What is your favorite sport to play or watch? I grew up in a big hockey family in Minnesota. I played all the way through high School.
What is your favorite tradition around the holidays? I love spending time with family. I’m lucky enough to live and work close to home so getting together with my family is still pretty easy to do.
What is your favorite song of all time? I’m a big fan of The Chainsmokers. It would probably come down to “Closer,” “Something Just Like This,” or “Paris.”
What is your favorite movie of all time? Miracle on Ice.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is to stay positive. There are many time in life we go through rough patches, but staying positive and looking forward always helps me overcome obstacles.
If you could relive any moment, what would that be? If I could relive any moment, I think it would be the first time I experienced live television as a reporter down the road in Eau Claire. I remember how nervous I was thinking I’d screw up. When I look back, I realize it was no big deal.
