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 / Kevin Bruce, 37: From 388 pounds to 259 pounds

Former weight: 388 pounds

Current weight: 259 pounds

Pounds lost: 129

Height: 6 feet

Age: 37

How long he's kept it off: Bruce started on March 8, 2013 and reached his current weight April 19 this year. His ultimate goal is to weigh 220 pounds, a goal he continues to work toward.

Personal life: "[I've been] happily married for almost 14 years to my best friend, Natalie Bruce, with three fur babies," says Bruce, who works as a machine shop supervisor. He, his wife and their fur babies live in Chatsworth, Ga.

Turning point: "When I went to eat with my family and we had to wait 15 minutes for a table because I couldn't fit in the vacant booths — it was quite embarrassing and eye-opening," he says. He started to make changes by counting his calories, eating foods as fresh as possible and working hard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a form of martial arts and method of self-defense that is growing in popularity as a tournament contact sport.

Diet plan: "I tried to shop only on the outside of the grocery store," he says. He doesn't eat hydrogenated oils. He limits sugar and eats a large amount of vegetables and protein. On a typical day, for breakfast he has a protein smoothie with spinach, yogurt, almond milk and a banana. At lunchtime, he has half a rotisserie chicken, a salad and whole-grain rice medley. Dinner is a hamburger patty, three-fourths of a pound; a baked potato and a spinach salad with olives. When he gets the munchies, to stay on track he reaches for a fruit smoothie and a handful of chocolate-covered almonds.

Exercise routine: Three times per week he does weightlifting and four times a week he does Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Biggest challenge: His biggest challenges were getting started, making it through the first month, and not overindulging.

How has life changed: "I have more energy and confidence," he says. "All aspects of my life have improved. I enjoy exercising and pushing myself to get better and be the best version of myself I can be … March 7, 2013 I weighed 388, today I weigh 259 — no surgery, just hard work." He believes his secret to success was the support and encouragement from those around him, "my teammates at Veritas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (www.veritasbjj.com) supporting me and pushing me, as well as the encouragement of family and friends and most of all, the support of my wife," he says. For others looking to make difficult changes for better health, he says, "stop making excuses and start making changes. Slow and steady wins the race. If you give it a year you will amaze yourself. Find some type of activity you love and immerse yourself in it."