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 / Joshua Harvey, 36: From 260 pounds to 185 pounds
Former weight: 260
Current weight: 185
Pounds lost: 75
Height: 5 feet 10 inches
Age: 36
How long he's kept it off: Seven years. "I started my weight-loss journey Jan. 1, 2006 as a New Year's resolution. Within seven months I had lost over 75 pounds," says Harvey.
Personal life: "I live in Cumming, Georgia with my wife, Michelle, and my beautiful little two-year-old, Ava," he says. "I am vice-president of sales and partner of Phoenix Benefits Management." He is also an AdvoCare independent distributor.
Turning point: "The turning point for me was when I was tying my left shoe and I had to come up for air before tying the right shoe. I had realized at that moment that I had gained so much weight that I couldn't even tie my own shoes without cutting off my air circulation. Tears welled up in my eyes and I told myself that day, 'This is not me. This is not who I am!' I had tried many diets before but I had always had short-term gains that ended up with more weight gain when the plan failed."
Diet plan: He starts the day with a meal-replacement shake and snacks on nuts. Lunch is lean meat and lots of veggies. In the afternoon he snacks on a bar, protein shake or nuts. Dinner is lean meat with lots of vegetables and fruit, and before bed he has a protein shake.
Exercise routine: "I do high-intensity training for 24 minutes a day, four to six times a week. I train in my house doing push-ups, jumps [and] body weight movements, among other exercises. My regular routine involves getting up in the morning at 6:20 a.m. putting on the AdvoCare Workout Series - Can You 24 DVD and hitting the mat."
Biggest challenge: "I did struggle to stop drinking sodas and eating pizza," he says. He weaned himself slowly from one soda a day to none; he still eats pizza but with salad. "You have to realize that you are who you are because of the daily choices you make … If we all liked to eat chicken and veggies all day America wouldn't be in the shape we are. Don't change what you eat, change what you like — our taste buds will adapt."
How life has changed: "Wow, has it ever changed. I have so much energy now and feel so great," he says. "I have so much more confidence in myself and I am no longer terrified to take my shirt off at the pool. I try to live my life as a servant to others, I want to help others get the life change that I received … One of [my] biggest ambitions is to walk my little girl down the aisle on her wedding day; it is imperative that I not only be the best husband and father I can be, but that I be healthy so that I will be there on that day."
