Success story
Justin Greene, 29: From 400 pounds to 280 pounds
Former weight: 400 pounds
Current weight: 280 pounds
Pounds lost: 120 pounds
Height: 6 feet
Age: 29 years
How long he's kept it off: "I started in April 2016 and (am) still going," says Greene, who reached his current weight this month.
Personal life: "I'm from Jackson, Ga. I grew up here and it's where I'm raising my family now. My wife, Brittany, and I have been married for seven years. We have a 6-year-old daughter, Emma. … I am a lead equipment tech at Piedmont Henry Hospital. We manage and sanitize all in-house and rental medical equipment used on patients in the hospital."
Turning point: "I've always been a big guy and my weight has always been a struggle. … It wasn't really a shock, but in April 2016, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. My doctor told me to take a hard look at my health, made some suggestions, and told me to check my sugar every day and he'd check back in three months. At my next visit, I had lost about 40 pounds and reduced my A1C from 7.5 to 5. With this, my doctor reversed my diagnosis. … Today, I consider myself a nonpracticing diabetic."
Diet plan: "I try to follow a paleo diet as much as possible: high-protein meals with raw veggies. I'm a very picky eater, and never one for vegetables. I do not like very many cooked vegetables. … I try to keep breads, grains and dairy at a minimum."
Exercise routine: "Two hours a day minimum, and I try for six days per week. I don't have a particular plan. The main goal is to just stay active. I've only just introduced weights and strength-building exercises into my routine a couple of months ago."
Biggest challenge: "Two things come to mind: getting over my own negative thoughts and future failures, and caffeine withdrawal. I was drinking close to 2 liters of Mountain Dew a day, and that's not counting all the energy drinks. I stopped cold turkey. After a week with no soda, I was starting to get migraines. Then, by that Thursday, I was nauseous to the degree I couldn't function. I was sweating, dry heaving, shaking. I couldn't eat. I was sent home from work, but after four days, I was clean — I felt great."
How life has changed: "I used to be sick all the time. My joints don't hurt anymore. … My mom always told me it was probably arthritis, turns out I was just too fat. … My time at the gym and my unsteady work schedule has caused me to make sacrifices in the name of my health … but I do my best to balance. … I would like to go skydiving at some point and I've never been on the Superman and a couple other roller coasters at Six Flags. My size had always gotten in the way of these things."
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, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30346-1301; or e-mail Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
