Ken Harris, 31, of Fayetteville, Ga. lost 90 pounds

By Michelle C. Brooks

For the AJC

Former weight: 271 pounds

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Family photo, Family photo Ken Harris, 31, of Fayetteville weighed 271 pounds at the beginning of his weight loss journey. He started losing weight in the spring of 2009 after developing knee and foot pain due to his excess weight.

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Family photo, Family photo Ken Harris now weighs 181 pounds, for a total weight loss of 90 pounds. He started with fitness boot camps, which helped him develop a new diet and exercise regimen. "My self-esteem increased as well as my appetite to experience life,” he says.

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Current weight: 181 pounds

Pounds lost: 90 pounds

Height: 6 feet

Age: 31 years

How long he’s kept it off: Eleven months. He started in the spring of 2009 and reached his current weight in March 2011.

Personal life: “I am a psychology instructor at a local technical college and a therapist as well. In addition, I am a Ph.D. student in the dissertation phase of my program.” He is single and lives in Fayetteville.

Turning point: “The turning point came one day when I had knee and foot pain that I knew were directly related to my weight,” he says. “And I saw myself in the mirror when I was getting dressed one day and nearly broke my neck when I had to do a double-take to see who I was. I initially started off with fitness boot camps; boot camp laid the foundation for me…I simply started to eat better -- no unnecessary sugars, no sodas, eating half of my meal and doing 30 minutes of cardio a day.”

Diet plan: “I am a calorie counter like you wouldn't believe,” he says. “For me, it came down to burning enough calories to lose the weight I wanted to lose. I transitioned from eating out of boredom to only eating when I was truly hungry.” His day begins with a cereal bar or fruit followed by a lunch and dinner. Fridays through Sundays he lets himself eat what he wants.

Exercise routine: “I do cardio on the elliptical anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes a day, four days a week,” he says.

Biggest challenge: “I have the irrational fear that I am going to go to sleep and wake up heavy again,” he says. “I know it's outlandish, but I believe that it helps me stay on top of my weight loss and workout regimen.”

How life has changed: “I find that running up a flight of stairs doesn't tire me out like it once did. My self-esteem increased as well as my appetite to experience life,” he says. “I had tried on several occasions to lose weight and then after a few weeks of working out, shedding a few pounds and feeling better I would stop. I knew [this time] that I had to make it a lifestyle change in order to see the results I wanted.”

Be an inspiration: If you've made positive changes in your diet and/or fitness routine and are happy with the results, please share your success with us. Include your email address, a daytime phone number and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG). Write: Success Stories, c/o Holly Steel, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or email ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.