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 / Mark Sewell, 59: From 242 pounds to 180 pounds
Former weight: 242 pounds
Current weight: 180 pounds
Pounds lost: 62 pounds
Height: 5 feet 8 inches
Age: 59
How long he's kept it off: He started his weight-loss journey in January. This month, he happily met his ultimate goal of 180 pounds.
Personal life: "I live at home with my wife of 30 years along with one German Shorthair and two labs that are great companions. We have two grown children," says Sewell. "I am a commercial sales manager for a company in Atlanta." Sewell and his family live in Dallas, Ga.
Turning point: "My kids approached me at Christmas and were concerned about my health, as I was, so I decided it was time," he says. "I knew I needed to lose some weight but you get used to not doing anything about it and you become comfortable. When my daughter approached me and my son and my wife expressed their concern, it wasn't that hard to start."
Diet plan: "I used the Lose It! app (https://www.loseit.com/) on my phone to log calories with no supplements," he says. "I actually follow my own plan but I use the app for counting calories and logging exercise. I typically have a cup of coffee and eat a hard-boiled egg, minus the yoke, for breakfast. A salad or something under 400 calories for lunch, and either grilled fish or chicken with steamed vegetables for dinner. When I get hungry, I walk or drink water."
Exercise routine: "I walk a minimum of one mile and do 100 sit-ups and leg lifts every day," he says.
Biggest challenge: "Biggest challenge was to stay motivated and create a (new) habit of eating. Once you have done that, it is relatively easy," he says. "What made it work was a determination to not lose." He adds that there really wasn't a secret to his success: "No secrets — just hard work and determination."
How life has changed: "No wading in — I just started basically overnight," he says. "I have had a lot of support and encouragement, plus, I am just plain stubborn and hard-headed." Losing weight has slimmed his wallet: "It has cost me money buying new clothes." He now does the cooking, and "we don't eat or cook fried foods … I basically cook healthy meals." His health is better than ever. "Physically with the weight loss there is nothing I cannot do. My bloodwork came back better than it has been in over 15 years and my cardiologist was very happy with the results … It is a lifestyle change that will last because we are creating new habits and changing the way we have eaten practically our entire life. It's not easy but getting easier. It's all between the ears when it comes to changing eating habits: If you put your mind to it, you can change — but only you can make that happen."
