Jason Morrison of McDonough loses 60 pounds

Height: 6 feet 1 inch

Age: 35 years

How long he's kept it off: He started December 2010; he's five pounds from goal.

Personal life: "I am a graphic designer and photographer," Morrison says. "I live in McDonough with my amazing wife, Gina, two daughters, Lauren, 4, and Emily, 16 months, and the coolest dachshund in the world: Snoopie Lorangelo Morrison.

Turning point: "I was tired of feeling horrible about myself. My wife was a nurse on a cardiac floor and she used to tell me that some of my complaints would remind her of her patients," he says. "It frightened me to no end to think I may end up in the hospital. My blood pressure had gotten as high as 200/106 -- that is not how I wanted to live my life and that is not the example that I wanted to set for my daughters."

Diet plan: In December 2010, his wife brought home a book, The Biggest Loser 30-Day Jump Start, Rodale Books, $21.95. A typical day on the diet starts with egg whites, turkey bacon, and fruit. For lunch, a tofurky sandwich and snacks were almonds and Greek yogurt. Dinner is lean protein, veggies and brown rice.

Exercise routine: "I workout and exercise five to six times a week," he says. "On Tuesday and Thursday I go running. On Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, I go to CrossFit Pulse in McDonough. One night during the week, I go for a distance run. On Sunday, I will either go mountain biking or running."

Biggest challenge: "Starting to exercise was difficult for me," he says. "When you get big like I did, everything hurts when you try to run or exercise…the last thing I wanted to do was get up even earlier and go work out. But once I started doing that, not only did the weight come off quicker, but I found I had far more energy during the day."

How life has changed: "I feel as though the barriers of life have been removed," he says. "I have volumes more energy and can keep up with my girls now, no matter what they are doing. I am blessed to have such an amazing and supportive wife who helped put us on this healthy path."

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.