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 / Charlie Tope, 68: From 242 pounds to 204 pounds
Former weight: 242 pounds
Current weight: 204 pounds
Pounds lost: 38 pounds
Height: 6 feet 2 ½ inches
Age: 68 years
How long he's kept it off: He started March 2014 and reached 203 pounds in January.
Personal life: "I'm in commercial real estate — I work with Mimms Enterprises and I've been with them over 10 years," said Tope. "I'm married 47 years this April to my wife, Marty. We have two sons, a daughter and six grandchildren." He lives in Marietta.
Turning point: "For 20 years I had regularly exercised but continued slowly gaining weight, peaking at 242 pounds. Not until I started having warning signs health-wise — borderline cholesterol, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure and shortness of breath — did I realize I had to do something now." His wife suggested wellness coach, Jacynta Harb (www.sparkleanewyou.com). He met with her weekly and used the MyFitnessPal app. "It's a journey and change of lifestyle."
Diet plan: Breakfast is egg substitute, grits and turkey or venison sausage. "If I eat a good breakfast, I don't tend to snack," he said. For lunch he has thin bread slices with deli turkey and a peach tea. Dinner is lean protein and vegetables. "My wife has helped me a lot making low-calorie meals." He replaced his daily Baby Ruth candy bar with an apple. "That one tweak saved me 200 calories per day and 1000 calories per week — I use that as an example of a bad habit."
Exercise routine: "For 20 to 25 years, I had the half of the better exercise — I didn't have the half of the better eating." He has always exercised four times per week, doing a combination of cardio and weights.
Biggest challenge: "I tried some diets and they just didn't work for me. My biggest challenge was committing," he said. "I really believe you have to answer two questions when you get started: 'Why am I doing this?' and 'Am I committed to doing this?' I was just getting too many red flag warning signs … mine was really for health reasons."
How life has changed: "I'm now below my college football playing weight," he said. "I'm on track with a much better lifestyle. I want people to understand it's not a crash diet … it's been a lifestyle change … I know my body is a temple of Christ." At his last physical, his doctor said his life expectancy had already increased losing 15 pounds. "I'm already looking forward to my next physical."
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