Troy and Sharon Simmons lost 130 pounds

By Michelle C. Brooks

For the AJC

Former Weight: Troy: 278 pounds; Sharon: 182 pounds

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Family photo Troy and Sharon Simmons began to gain weight as they enjoyed their lives together as a newly retired couple. "[I was] determined to make this a life change and not just a weight-loss challenge," said Sharon.

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Family photo The couple collectively lost 130 pounds by lifting weights and walking around their neighborhood track.

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Current Weight: Troy: 198 pounds; Sharon: 132 pounds

Total Pounds lost: Troy: 80 pounds; Sharon: 50 pounds

Height: Troy: 6 feet; Sharon: 5 feet 2 inches

Age: Troy: 53 years; Sharon: 56 years

How long they’ve kept it off: They started in January 2011 and met their goal this month.

Personal life: “I retired from AT&T in 1998 and Accenture in 2010,” said Sharon. “I retired from the City of Atlanta as a corrections officer in June 2010,” said Troy. They've been together 19 years and live in Atlanta.

Turning point: “We enjoyed the first few months [of retirement] but I could see our new lifestyle was going in the health direction that was not good for either of us,” said Sharon. "[I was] determined to make this a life change and not just a weight-loss challenge.” When she told Troy, he said he'd lose weight on his own; that lasted two weeks. “When she kept feeding me all the same [healthy] foods she was eating, it was kind of hard to resist. I don't cook!” he said.

Diet plan: They joined Weight Watchers. "I began to make a lot of small changes to our diet that really paid off,” said Sharon. Breakfast is an egg with lean protein. A sandwich for her and a salad for him for lunch. Dinner is chicken and vegetables.

Exercise routine: “My husband was involved in bodybuilding in his younger years,” said Sharon. “So he designed a workout plan that was right for each of us. He taught me the proper form in weightlifting -- light weights, of course -- to help me strengthen my core. We also began walking at our neighborhood track, starting out slow and working up to five miles a day five to six times a week.”

Biggest challenge: “The biggest challenge was just getting started,” said Troy. “The older you get, the harder it is to get back into the routine of working out.”

How life has changed: “As a result of these changes, we each have been able to discontinue three of the five medications we were taking,” said Sharon. Troy said, “I have more energy ... and enjoy the compliments of my achievements from others when they see me.”

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 e-mail ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.