SUCCESS STORY
Gino Marotta, 40: From 315 pounds to 197 pounds
Former weight: 315 pounds
Current weight: 197 pounds
Pounds lost: 118 pounds
Height: 5 feet 8 inches
Age: 40 years
How long he’s kept it off: “I started … to lose weight on Jan. 31, 2015, the day after my 39th birthday. My goal was to drop 115 pounds by my 40th birthday. … I woke up the morning of Feb. 12, 2016, and weighed in at 200.5 pounds. Frustrated … I went to Stone Mountain Park and did an 8-mile run. When I came back, I weighed 197 pounds and had finally hit my goal.”
Personal life: “I’m a software engineer. … I’m married and have a young son.” He lives in Lawrenceville.
Turning point: “I have been over 300 pounds for most of my adult life — at least 20 years. … My best friend had lost over 100 pounds. … That served as inspiration to start my own efforts and he coached and motivated me. … I tried applying for life insurance and was given an exorbitant quote. When I asked what the quote would be if I were 100 pounds less, they gave me one at a fraction of the price. … They were gambling that I would die before the term of the life insurance was up.”
Diet plan: He created “breakfast mush,” a casserole with eggs, ground turkey and hash browns. Lunches are a frozen meal and dinner varies.
Exercise routine: “For the first 60 pounds of weight loss, I did no exercise. … My current routine consists of 30 minutes of intense cardio in a gym two or three times a week.” On weekends, he does an 8-mile hike/run at Stone Mountain Park.
Biggest challenge: “The biggest challenge was finding the discipline to get started. I spent 20 years trying to lose weight and failing with each attempt.” He doesn’t know what worked this time, but tracking helped.
How life has changed: “The normal cliche ‘I have so much energy’ is totally true. I noticed it the first time I was at my niece’s birthday party. The kids started chasing me, and for the first time, I was able to run with them. … For 20 years, I was ashamed to purchase clothing. Once I hit my goal, I invited my sister-in-law to come visit and we went (shopping) at Lenox Square. … I’m one of the people who read (this column) for many years, hoping that one day, I would muster the discipline to lose weight and be featured myself.”
Support real journalism. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. See offers.
Your subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.
With the largest team in the state, the AJC reports what’s really going on with your tax dollars and your elected officials. Subscribe today. Visit the AJC's Georgia Navigator for the latest in Georgia politics.
Your subscription to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism. Visit the AJC's Georgia Navigator for the latest in Georgia politics.