Former weight: 271 pounds
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.
