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 Patty Murphy, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or e-mail Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
SUCCESS STORY / Derrick J. Davis, 41: From 300 pounds to 230 pounds
Former weight: 300 pounds
Current weight: 230 pounds
Pounds lost: 70 pounds
Height: 6 feet 5 inches
Age: 41 years
How long he's kept it off: "I started my journey in March 2012 and I reached my goal in September 2012 – five months and counting," says Davis.
Personal life: "I'm a professional bouncer at Indigo Bar in Atlanta, Ga." He's also radio personality Big Dee, on The Remix, Fridays from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. on WFRG 89.3 FM. He lives in Norcross, Ga.
Turning point: "I started operation 230 one night when I went to Waffle House to eat dinner. As I was waiting for my order, I caught a glimpse of myself in the security monitor and I was disgusted at what I saw," he says. "I made it a point right then and there to lose weight, after I finished dinner first, of course."
Diet plan: "Breakfast consists of oatmeal with walnuts and coffee," he says. "Lunch is either turkey or tuna on whole-grain bread with a piece of fresh fruit. Dinner is grilled chicken, grilled or baked fish with broccoli and rice. Snacks consist of unsalted almonds and fruit, usually raisins or dried cranberries. I drink plenty of Crystal Light and Diet Coke with lime to stay hydrated."
Exercise routine: "I used no special weight-loss methods; I just logged plenty of time in the gym," he says. "Planet Fitness on Chamblee-Tucker Road in Chamblee became my second home," he says. "I started in March of 2012, the first day they opened. In the beginning, I could only do a mile a day on the treadmill. Gradually, my endurance got better and I increased my speed and distance. I incorporated weight training into my workouts after two months. I would be in the gym for at least two hours a day, seven days a week … I would post (on Facebook) every time I would go to the gym … My friends would give me encouragement … to keep it up … I started in March, my motto was cruise fine by month nine, and everyone from the great people at Planet Fitness to my friends and family made sure that it happened."
Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge during operation 230 was to stay motivated to keep working out," he says. "There were plenty of times that I didn't want to get off my couch and get to the gym. Then I remembered that I'm paying for this gym membership and I'm entirely too cheap to pay for a membership and not use it."
How life has changed: "I have energy for days now," he says. "No more bending over to tie my shoes and coming back up out of breath. I shop for XL clothes instead of 3X and 4X. Friends I haven't seen in months don't recognize me. I'm at my college weight and I can honestly say I feel better now than I did twenty years ago — life is good!"
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