Former weight: 309 pounds
Current weight: 179 pounds
Height: 6 feet 1
How long he's kept it off: Eight months. "I started in September of 2010 by dieting and then was down to 179 in July 2011," Zach McClure said.
Personal life: "I am a junior at Georgia State University, pursuing a degree in managerial science," he said. He works at Publix, is a technical editor for www.FordMuscle.com and is an independent contractor for Communications Capital Group. He lives in Buford.
Turning point: "I stepped on the scale in September and was 19 years old and over 300 pounds, which is extremely scary," he said. "At that weight, it's hard to be healthy and not much easier to get a date. [When] the doctor put my dad on a diet ... we decided to do it as a family to make it easier on him."
Diet plan: "Started the morning with a good breakfast that included a fruit, some egg whites and some turkey sausage," he said. "For lunch, I would typically do something with turkey or chicken, fruit and some unsweetened applesauce. For dinner, it would be chicken, turkey, fish, vegetables and fruit ... I only drank water."
Exercise routine: "I go Monday through Friday at 5 a.m. and work out for about an hour and a half," he said. "It's early but once you start going to the gym in the morning, it becomes an addiction. It gives you energy all day and it makes you feel good because you started the day off right."
Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge was probably trying to fit time in my schedule [for exercise]. Between work and school there was not a lot of time," he said. "The first month was the hardest. I was sore a lot. After the first month the exercise became routine."
How life has changed: "Life has changed a lot," he said. "Previously, I was lacking self-confidence and painfully shy. Now, I have plenty of self-confidence. ... A good run will free your mind and make you feel better. We dieted as a family so that really helped; my parents lost about 50 pounds. ... I love telling people about my story and trying to help anyone I can."
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.
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