The content of Pokémon GO is meant to motivate trainers to move. Now, a Reddit user reports about his weight loss, which he achieved with the help of the game. We at MeinMMO have conducted a written interview with him, and he revealed to us how he accomplished this.
Who is it about? Unlike most other games, Pokémon GO is designed to go outside, move, and explore the area. The Reddit user FarTransportation376 took advantage of this and proudly reported on March 22 in the Pokémon subreddit about his weight loss.
He told us in the interview how he did it and what further goals he is now pursuing.
How a trainer lost 15 kilos with Pokémon GO
Why did FarTransportation376 want to lose weight with Pokémon GO? As he explains in his Reddit post, he has gained 60 pounds, or 30 kilograms, since his graduation, which is why he felt uncomfortable in his skin. However, his training in the gym did not bring any improvement, and he hated mindless running. With Pokémon GO, he found a special incentive to move.
How much has FarTransportation376 lost? In our interview, the trainer proudly revealed that he lost nearly 15 kilos in just 2 months. He explained to us:
I spent 2 months and have gone from 225 pounds [112.5 kilograms] to 195 pounds [97.5 kilograms] (still not my goal, but very impressive for such a short time).
FarTransportation376
How long has he been playing Pokémon GO? He originally started playing Pokémon GO in 2016 but took a break due to his studies. However, a friend suggested that he start playing again in February 2023, to play together and walk regularly.
I started playing in 2016 but stopped in 2017/2018 when I went to university. I picked it up again in February 2023 after a friend suggested we all play and go for walks since we live in the city.
FarTransportation376
Trainer runs 50 km each week for the weekly reward
What motivated him to move? As FarTransportation376 told us, he lives in a city where he can reach 6 PokéStops and 2 gyms from his apartment alone. For many, the convenience would already win out, but the Reddit user saw it differently.
He realized that the lure modules did not spawn the best monsters, so he was motivated to explore his area, to walk around the city blocks and encounter numerous interesting and new Pokémon.
I was motivated to go out and walk because, although there are two gyms and 6 PokéStops in my apartment that I can spin without moving, the spawn rate of new Pokémon even with lure modules is not that great. If I walk a few city blocks, some new and really interesting Pokémon spawn.
I don’t always walk on a fixed route since I want to visit new PokéStops and gyms, so my route takes a different path each day.
FarTransportation376
In his Reddit post, he also explains that he enjoys hatching eggs and collecting candies with his buddy Pokémon through walking (via reddit.com). Which Pokémon are best suited as buddies, we will show you in the following post:
The trainer reached a special milestone: But the weight loss itself was not the only milestone that FarTransportation376 achieved. He tried to constantly increase the distance he walked. In the beginning, he walked 25 km and, with the help of the GO Plus, a corresponding catching gadget, managed to cover more than 50 km every week in the last few weeks (via reddit.com).
My statistics are not that great when considering my break. Since I restarted in February, I have covered 215.8 km, caught 4,211 Pokémon, and spun 4,580 stops. In the last three weeks, I completed the weekly walking challenge (50 km) with a GO Plus and I’m also on track to do it this week.
FarTransportation376
Soon a new catching gadget will hit the market. We will show you here why the Pokémon GO Plus + is so popular among trainers.
What else helped him with the weight loss? Besides playing Pokémon GO, FarTransportation376 also changed his diet and revamped his gym visits. He explained to us:
In connection with these walks, I made my gym visits more meaningful and focused. I always avoided alcohol and processed foods, and I cook much more vegan.
FarTransportation376
What is his next goal? The previous weight loss of 15 kilos should only be a milestone because he aims to lose more weight by summer. His target weight is currently 185 pounds, or 92.5 kilos. To achieve it, he has about 5 kilos left to lose.
I hope to lose the rest of the weight and reach 185 [pounds] by summer.
FarTransportation376
This advice FarTransportation376 has for like-minded individuals
Finally, we wanted to know from FarTransportation376 what advice he has for other players who also want to lose weight with the help of Pokémon GO. This answer was clear to him – just play, because it can be rewarding not only in the game but also outside of it. He wrote to us:
My advice to others: Play! It’s a fun game that doesn’t take much time if you don’t want to, but it can pay off both in the game and outside of the game when you train! The community is positive and there are new Pokémon in the game and new experiences on my walks every day.
FarTransportation376
Have you also lost weight with the help of Pokémon GO? Or would you have been more tempted to play from home with the numerous stops and gyms in the place of the Reddit user? Let us know here at MeinMMO in the comments and exchange thoughts with other trainers about it.
In the coming weeks, there’s a lot going on in Pokémon GO. We will show you all events in April and which are worth it.
