Former weight: 265 pounds
Current weight: 215 pounds
Pounds lost: 50
Height: 5 feet 8 inches
How long he's kept it off: "My weight-loss journey started in June 2009," Namho said. "I'm on track to hit my target goal by May 2010 — total weight to lose is 80 pounds."
Personal life: "I run an online apparel printing company called AtlantaTees.net based in Marietta," he said. "I am married to my destiny partner, Chyna McGarity." And he has three stepchildren: Chyna Akissia Donelson, 22; J.C. Donelson, 24; and Anthony McGarity, 29."
Turning point: "It started over seven months ago after being [diagnosed] with high blood pressure, sleep apnea and stress-related headaches. I said to myself, 'It's time to get busy living or get busy dying.' " Namho's inspirational motto comes from the movie "Shawshank Redemption."
Diet plan: "The first thing I did was change my eating habits," Namho said. He dropped red meat and pork in favor of chicken, fish and turkey. Breakfast is an English muffin with egg whites and fruit, lunch is a salad and dinner is broiled fish with vegetables.
Exercise routine: "I began a fitness routine that requires 60 to 90 minutes of cardio: cross trainer, treadmill and elliptical machines, seven days a week," he said. "Plus, three times a week I do strength training."
Biggest challenge: "The biggest challenge ... is staying motivated. Once you lose your motivation, you will then soon lose your momentum. When I have days like that, I say to myself fitness is not fun but it's a lifestyle."
How life has changed: "Losing the weight has changed my life in several ways: [It has] increased my energy level, reduced my high blood pressure and eliminated the sleep apnea and stress-related headaches," he said. "The greatest impact is when some of my friends who know the old big George say, 'You look good, man.' [Then they] ask me to share my weight-loss story with them so that they might be encouraged to do the same and transform their lives — which means [my] sacrifice was well worth it."
If you’ve made positive changes in your diet and/or fitness routine, please share your success with us. Include your e-mail 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, Sixth Floor, 72 Marietta St. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303; or e-mail ajcsuccess stories@gmail.com.
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