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 and inspire others. 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.
SUCCESS STORY
Paul Moore, 53: From 308 pounds to 180 pounds
Former weight: 308 pounds
Current weight: 180 pounds
Pounds lost: 128 pounds
Height: 6 feet
Age: 53 years
How long he's kept it off: "On Dec. 4, 2011, I rejoined Weight Watchers for the last time," Moore said. "It took two years and three weeks, not that anybody was counting."
Personal life: "I live in Sugar Hill. I'm married to Lisa. … All of my two-legged offspring are grown and moved out. I have four-legged offspring that help keep me motivated, they like to get out and exercise. … I work full time for Weight Watchers now … it came after the weight loss … I do one-on-one personal coaching."
Turning point: "I have done Weight Watchers multiple times in the past, I never stuck with it — I would always let life get in the way. It was the weekend before Thanksgiving weekend that I was visiting my mom. My aunt walked up to me, patted me on the belly and said, 'You're getting kind of big.' I was on blood pressure medicine, cholesterol medicine and I was borderline diabetic. I was winded walking up stairs. … It's not that I took my aunt's comment as a jab — she was just pointing out a fact: I knew I needed to make a change. On the ride home from my mom's house that weekend, I knew I needed to return to Weight Watchers — I knew I needed to stick with it until I reached my goal."
Diet plan: Breakfast is oatmeal. For lunch and dinner, he loves a salad with hot wing sauce. "I put that on everything."
Exercise routine: He exercises two to three times per week, running 5-6 miles with his dogs. "Currently I have three of them, three dogs, three leashes … the four of us are out there, jogging on the trail."
Biggest challenge: "Sticking to it has always been the biggest challenge. This time I had that different mindset … I didn't eat bad things, I just ate way too much of it. It continues to be a challenge … I really focus on being mindful."
How life has changed: "I have a great new career. I have a lot more energy. … There's so many aspects of my everyday life that are different in a positive way. … Those old habits don't go away. You've always got to be working on these new habits. If you're not careful, those old habits will creep back on their own, often without you realizing it."
About the Author
