John “The Organic” Pitts Jr, 42, of Atlanta lost 65 pounds

Pounds lost: 65 pounds

Height: 5 feet 11 inches

Age: 42 years

How long he's kept it off: "This has been a six-year journey," Pitts said. "Keeping the pounds off has been an entire lifestyle change that healed disease and renewed my childhood dreams."

Personal life: "I'm a husband and girl-dad of four girls. I live in Atlanta as a mind-body trainer and professional boxer," Pitts said. "I successfully re-entered the ring at the age of 40." His boxer name is "The Organic." He's on Instagram @johntheorganic.

Turning point: "I hadn't accomplished the things that I felt were important to me. I had bought into the idea that I had missed my moment and my dream of being a boxer would never happen. To live and not fully realize your dreams, to me, you're already dead. That's when I began questioning everything," Pitts said. "My turning point was the moment I decided to challenge this too-late mentality."

Diet plan: "The way I saw my new life caused me to bring in plant-based foods," he said. "… They're critical to aid in the healing and detox process, which keeps the body in a constant state of healing."

Exercise routine: "I practice deep breathing (and stretching) exercises for lungs, kidneys and all the body organs," Pitts said. "Boxing at least three days a week with high cardio."

Biggest challenge: "Embracing pain — most of us want to eliminate pain immediately, but pain isn't a danger sign. Pain is a realignment tool," Pitts said. "… I looked at it as a sign of the condition reverting instead of a warning. The pain was power — it led me to seek out knowledge concerning how the body functions."

How life has changed: "Six years ago I couldn't do a pullup. I couldn't raise my arms completely above my head," Pitts said. "I met a doctor who said, 'This is a normal part of aging,' I thought, 'What? How is this normal?' No matter what people say, you must make the decision not to download the aging program. You'll hear, 'Aching is a part of aging — get used to it.' If you want to change your life, don't bow to any idea, any thought, that doesn't serve you. I tell potential clients, 'If you can find one person that's done it, you should know that you can, too. I'm over 40 competing with 20-year-olds in the boxing ring. Go further, think about the body builders over 80. How are they different? They think differently. It lets you know, this isn't about the body — it's all about the mind."

Share Your Success: Each week, Success Stories focuses on an individual’s unique weight loss journey. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution does not endorse any specific weight loss program but includes names and links for the benefit of readers who want further information. Have you lost weight successfully with a healthy lifestyle change? If you would like to share your story with our readers, please include your email address, phone number, and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG), and contact us at: Success Stories, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or email Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.